The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
The single-use plastics ban's scope on cups remains unclear—it explicitly covers polystyrene cups and plates, but the guidance on other cup materials is ambiguous and varies by local council interpretation. Members have identified several practical alternatives: - **Paper cups** — recyclable and widely used for samples; members note the trade-off is a less premium tasting experience compared to plastic - **Goforgreen recyclable 4oz cups** — more expensive than standard options but described as looking great and meeting compliance - **Biodegradable starch-based cups** — members have used these, but warn they dissolve if used for hot beverages, limiting their application - **Pre-filled packaging exemption** — the DEFRA guidance includes an exemption for "items that are packaging (pre-filled or filled at the point of sale)," which several members believe could potentially cover event tasting samples if they're positioned as pre-packaged product rather than disposable serviceware **Important caveats:** The ban has not yet been fully enacted into law in all jurisdictions—only guidance exists from DEFRA and some local councils (e.g. Brighton & Hove). Local council interpretation varies significantly. Before committing to large event quantities, members recommend checking your specific local authority's published guidance rather than relying on the national guidance alone, as enforcement varies. The packaging exemption interpretation is uncertain and one member notes they would not want to "pick a fight" with their local council over the definition.