Bioplastic Cups vs Reusable Plastic Cups: What’s Truly Better for the Planet and Your Venue?

As sustainability becomes a core focus for events, stadiums, festivals, bars and hospitality venues, one of the biggest conversations in the industry is the shift away from single-use cups. Two options are often put head-to-head: bioplastic cups (commonly marketed as compostable) and reusable plastic cups made from durable materials like PP Grade 5.

At first glance, bioplastic cups seem like the obvious eco-friendly choice — they’re plant-based, they say “compostable” on the sleeve, and they feel like a guilt-free alternative to traditional plastic. But when you look at the full lifecycle, the waste system, the cost per use and the environmental reality, a very different story emerges.

This article breaks down the real differences between bioplastic cups and reusable plastic cups, helping you make an informed decision for your venue or event.

1. What Are Bioplastic Cups?

Bioplastic cups are typically made from PLA (polylactic acid) — a polymer created from fermented plant starch such as corn, cassava or sugarcane. They were introduced as a greener alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

Bioplastic cups are marketed as:

• Compostable

• Made from plants

• Better for the environment

• Suitable for commercial composting

While these claims are technically accurate, the reality is more complicated. PLA cups do not break down in landfill, are not recyclable, and require very specific industrial composting conditions that most cities do not provide.

In Australia, fewer than 10% of bioplastic items actually reach the type of composting facility required — meaning most bioplastic cups end up in landfill, where they behave almost the same as traditional single-use plastics.

2. What Are Reusable Plastic Cups?

Reusable cups — like the PP Grade 5 cups used by Revibes — are designed to be:

• Durable

• Dishwasher-safe

• Dropped, stacked and handled hundreds of times

• Used in large-scale reuse systems

• Recycled at end of life

Unlike bioplastics, reusable cups are manufactured to stay in circulation, not to be thrown away after one use. When combined with a return system and professional washing infrastructure, reusable cups can drastically reduce environmental impact and save venues significant money.

3. Environmental Impact: The Full Lifecycle Comparison

A. Production Footprint

Bioplastics:
Although made from renewable resources, PLA production still uses large amounts of:

• Fertiliser

• Water

• Land

• Energy
  And transporting agricultural materials adds emissions too.

Reusable PP Plastic:
PP Grade 5 plastic does require energy to manufacture, but because the cup is reused hundreds of times, the footprint per use becomes extremely small.

Winner: Reusable cups
Their upfront footprint is amortised over hundreds of uses, making them dramatically more sustainable over time.

B. Use Phase (The Most Important Factor)

Bioplastic cups are single-use, so each drink requires a new cup.

Reusable plastic cups are used, washed and redeployed repeatedly.

A bioplastic cup is used once.
A reusable cup may be used 300–400 times in a controlled system.

This is where sustainability shifts from theory to reality.

Winner: Reusable plastic cups — by a long shot.

C. End-of-Life Reality

Here’s where bioplastics often fail despite good intentions:

Bioplastic End-of-Life Problems:

• Must go to a specific industrial composting facility

• Cannot be processed in home compost

• Cannot be recycled

• Contaminate recycling streams

• Often go to landfill, where they do not break down

• Require sorting that most events and venues cannot guarantee

Most councils — including major Australian cities — do not accept PLA cups in green bins.

Reusable PP Cups End-of-Life Benefits:

• Can be recycled into durable plastic products

• Waste volume reduced by hundreds of uses

• Easy to batch-sort after events

• Local recyclers accept PP plastic more readily than PLA

Winner: Reusable plastic cups
End-of-life outcomes are clearer, simpler and more successful in real practice.

4. Waste System Compatibility

Bioplastic Cups

Despite the word “compostable,” bioplastic cups cause major headaches:

• Waste contractors often reject PLA in organics bins.

• Most composters don’t want PLA because it takes longer to break down.

• Many venues unknowingly contaminate recycling bins with PLA waste.

• When bioplastic enters landfill, decomposition is extremely slow and can release methane.

In other words, bioplastic cups don’t integrate cleanly into Australia’s waste system — and this leads to contamination, higher costs and poor environmental outcomes.

Reusable Cups

Reusable systems reduce the pressure on waste streams by eliminating single-use disposal altogether.

Instead of putting cups in:

• Recycling

• Compost

• Landfill

…customers simply return the cup, and it’s washed and reused.

The system removes waste from the equation entirely.

Winner: Reusable plastic cups
No reliance on imperfect waste systems.

5. Cost Comparison for Venues

Bioplastic Cups

You buy them.
You use them once.
You throw them away.
You buy more.

Costs stack up quickly.

Additionally:

• Bioplastic cups cost more than regular plastic

• Waste fees increase due to contamination

• Logistics for disposal add operational cost

For high-volume venues, bioplastic cups are one of the most expensive options when you consider true lifecycle cost.

Reusable Cups

While reusable cups have a higher upfront cost, they quickly become cheaper than bioplastic when reused in volume.

Example:
A reusable PP cup may cost $1.00–$2.00, but if it’s reused 300 times, your cost per use becomes:

$0.003–$0.006 per drink

Even when you include washing, logistics and occasional replacement, reusable cups are significantly cheaper over time — especially when supported by a system like Revibes.

Winner: Reusable cups
Far more cost-effective for venues and event operators.

6. Customer Experience and Brand Impact

Bioplastic cups feel almost identical to regular single-use cups — because they are.

Reusable cups provide:

• A premium feel

• Better sturdiness

• A better drinking experience

• Higher perceived value

• A clean, modern look

And with Revibes, reusable cups can be fully branded with high-definition artwork, sponsor logos or event graphics.

Reusable cups aren’t just functional — they become part of the experience.

Winner: Reusable cups
Better feel, better branding, better engagement.

7. Which Is Really Better for the Environment?

When you compare single-use bioplastic to reusable cups across production, transport, usage, waste systems and end-of-life management, one conclusion is clear:

Bioplastic cups help reduce fossil-plastic dependency, but they DO NOT reduce waste.

They are still single-use, and they still largely end up in landfill.

Reusable PP cups reduce both waste AND emissions.

They eliminate thousands of single-use items and drastically reduce overall environmental impact per drink.

Bioplastic cups sound good — but reusable cups perform better.

Final Verdict: Reusables Win Every Time

Bioplastic cups were a helpful stepping stone in the sustainability movement, but they are not the solution long-term. For modern venues and events looking to reduce costs, waste, carbon and environmental footprint, reusable PP Grade 5 cups are the clear winner.

They:

• Save money

• Reduce waste significantly

• Provide a premium customer experience

• Support real circular economy outcomes

• Work with existing washing and logistics systems

• Deliver measurable environmental results

This is exactly why Revibes exists — to make reuse simple, affordable and scalable for events and venues across Australia.

Want to transition from bioplastic to reusable?

Revibes can manage:

• Custom-branded reusable cup production

• Cup hire for events

• Washing, logistics and redistribution

• End-of-life recycling

• Full operational plans for large venues

If you're ready to reduce waste and move beyond single-use, Revibes can help you build a system that’s better for the planet and better for your bottom line.