[Packaging Industry News — November 2025]

As sustainability regulations tighten across Europe and North America, packaging distributors are facing a decisive material shift. Beverage chains, takeaway brands, and foodservice suppliers are re-evaluating plastic cups — not just for performance and cost, but for environmental compliance and brand perception. Among the most discussed options are PET, PP, and PLA cups — each offering distinct advantages and challenges in the new eco economy.

1. PET: The Recyclable Standard

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) remains the dominant material in cold drink packaging. It’s valued for clarity, strength, and recyclability.
In the EU and U.S., PET is one of the few plastic types with mature recycling systems. Major brands such as Starbucks and Pret A Manger continue to use clear PET for iced beverages, relying on established recovery streams and rPET (recycled PET) programs.

However, the environmental benefit depends on collection efficiency. In regions where recycling infrastructure is limited, PET can still end up in landfill — prompting growing interest in closed-loop supply chains and bottle-to-cup initiatives.

2. PP: The Durable Workhorse

Polypropylene (PP) is widely used for both hot and cold beverages, favored for its heat resistance and cost efficiency. It’s lighter than PET and less prone to cracking, making it a popular choice for takeaway packaging and food containers.
Yet, recycling PP remains inconsistent in Western markets. Although technically recyclable, the lack of sorting facilities limits its recovery rate. For wholesalers, PP continues to be an economical option, but one that may face increasing regulatory scrutiny in the EU’s 2026 single-use plastics framework.

3. PLA: The Compostable Challenger

Polylactic Acid (PLA) — a plant-based plastic made from corn or sugarcane — has become the symbol of next-generation sustainable packaging. It’s industrially compostable and fully derived from renewable resources.
Eco-focused café chains and boutique beverage brands, such as Costa Coffee’s pilot stores in the UK, have begun introducing PLA cups for limited product lines.
The challenge lies in infrastructure: PLA requires industrial composting facilities to properly degrade, and contamination in recycling streams can be an issue. Still, its biobased origin and clear eco-label potential make it attractive to green-minded distributors and private-label packaging developers.

4. The Market Outlook: Blended Strategies

In 2025, no single material dominates the sustainability narrative.
Large distributors are experimenting with multi-material portfolios — PET for high-volume cold drinks, PP for durable food containers, and PLA for premium or eco-branded lines.
Regulatory alignment will play a decisive role: the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and U.S. state-level EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) programs are both accelerating demand for materials with verified recyclability or compostability certifications.

5. What This Means for Wholesalers

For packaging wholesalers, the competitive edge will come from offering flexibility and traceable sustainability claims. Buyers increasingly ask not just for price lists, but for material origin, recyclability rates, and carbon data.
Those who can integrate rPET supply, support PP recycling loops, or offer certified PLA options will be best positioned to meet the evolving expectations of brands and regulators alike.

In short:

• PET — Best for recyclability and clarity.

• PP — Cost-efficient and heat-resistant, but recycling lagging.

• PLA — Compostable and renewable, yet infrastructure-limited.

The new decade of packaging won’t be defined by one “perfect” plastic, but by how smartly businesses mix innovation with environmental responsibility.