PET can or plastic cup for takeaway?
Cup or can?
The same iced latte, two packages. You know the plastic cup with lid and straw. The sealed PET can is the other option: closed, so it can go in a bag or on a bike. Below we put them side by side, including the points where the cup does better.
The difference at a glance
Green: what usually works out best on that point for a café, bar or delivery business.
| Transparent PET can | Plastic cup with lid and straw | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaks on the way | Hermetically sealed. Can lie down, shake, go in a bike bag. | Lid slides, straw hole leaks, must stay upright. |
| Delivery | Works for Deliveroo, Uber Eats and your own delivery. | Risk of spilled drinks and complaints. |
| Look | Looks like a product off the shelf. | Looks disposable. |
| Your logo | Sticker or screen print on a dry, smooth surface. | A sticker on a wet cup peels off quickly. |
| Prepare in advance | Sealed cans keep cold and sell from the fridge. | Make and hand over immediately. |
| Price per unit | Can plus lid: higher than a cup. | Cup, lid and straw: cheap. |
| Opening | Pull tab, no straw needed. | Needs a straw (paper in many countries). |
| Carbonation | Preserved: the PRO seals 99% hermetically. | Goes flat quickly. |
| Recycling | PET, separate collection or deposit. | PP or PET, separate collection. |
Which one would you hand to your customer?
A can survives the ride home, the bike courier and the bag full of groceries. A cup with a straw does not always.
- Fewer complaints about spilled orders
- Cocktails, mocktails and iced coffee can be sold as takeaway products
- Customers more easily take a second one for later
- The drink stays visible through the transparent can
New on your menu, no new recipe
You do not need to change your drinks. The same iced matcha or cold brew in a sealed can is a separate item on your menu, and most businesses charge a bit more for it than for the cup version.
Many businesses also prepare a stock and sell them from the fridge, for customers who do not have time to wait.
When is it paid back?
Example with the starter package at € 975 (machine, sample box, 2 years warranty, Benelux shipping included). This is how many drinks you need to earn that amount back:
This is an example. Your real margin depends on your price and your costs. The current starter package price is on the product page.
How to start
Test the sizes
Order the sample box (€ 24.99): six sizes from 150 to 500 ml with lids. Fill them with your own drinks and see what fits.
Choose a starter package
Starter, Pro or Ultra: machine, free mould, two years warranty and stock to start. Benelux delivery included.
Reorder by the box
Cans and lids from a single box, in stock in Belgium, usually delivered within 2 to 4 working days.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put hot drinks in a PET can?
No. PET cans are for cold drinks and products at room temperature, up to 40 °C. For hot drinks the cup remains the solution.
How long does a sealed drink keep?
The seal is 99% hermetic, where most other can sealers reach 60 to 75%. Shelf life depends on your drink and refrigeration. Always state a use-by date on the can or sticker.
Can the customer reseal the can?
No, just like a regular can. That is why many businesses pick a size that is finished in one go.
How do I get my logo on the can?
With stickers on a roll from 1,000 pieces, or screen printing from 10,000 pieces per design and size. Your artwork is checked for free.
Are the cans food safe and recyclable?
Yes. They are made for direct food contact and comply with EU 1935/2004 and EU 10/2011. PET goes into separate collection or the deposit system, depending on the country.
How much space does the machine take?
It is a countertop model that fits on a normal counter and runs on 230 V.
Try it with your own drinks
The sample box contains six sizes with lids for € 24.99. Fill them, compare them and then choose the starter package that fits your business.
