🌿 PLA • Industrial Composting • Plant-Based

PLA Compostable
Cold Cups
Specialist

Wholesale PLA compostable cold cups — plant-based, industrially compostable, and certified for eco-conscious brands worldwide.

5.5 oz to 24 oz · 4 opening diameters (78–95 mm) · Up to 8-color printing · MOQ 30,000 pcs/size

What is PLA and why does it matter for your brand?

PLA (polylactic acid) is a bioplastic synthesized from renewable plant starch — primarily corn or cassava — converted into lactic acid, then polymerized into a thermoplastic resin. The result is a food-grade material with 85–90% light transmission — high-clarity and suitable for cold drink presentation, with a slight natural warmth compared to conventional PET.

Under industrial composting conditions (58°C+, specific microbial environment), PLA physically disintegrates within 12 weeks and fully biodegrades (≥90% conversion to CO₂ + H₂O) within 3–6 months. The material standards behind it are EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 — the two most widely recognized for compostable packaging; compostability documentation for your specific order is available on request.

PLA is a cold-drink material. Service temperature: -20°C to 45°C. For hot drink applications, see our paper cups. For recyclable cold cups, see our PET cups.

Material Journey

From plant to cup — and back to nature

🌽
Corn Starch / Cassava
Derived from renewable plant resources
>
⚗️
Fermentation
Starch → glucose → lactic acid via fermentation
>
⚖️
Polymerization
Lactic acid synthesized into polylactic acid (PLA)
>
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Thermoforming
PLA resin thermoformed into high-clarity cups
>
♻️
Industrial Compost
Breaks down into CO₂ + H₂O in 3–6 months at 58°C+
♻️

Near-carbon-neutral lifecycle: The CO₂ absorbed by corn plants during growth roughly equals the CO₂ released during composting — making PLA a near-carbon-neutral packaging solution compared to petroleum-based plastics.

Why choose CupsPak PLA compostable cold cups?

Direct-sourced wholesale with full certification documentation, custom printing, and flexible MOQ for brands of all sizes.

🌿

Industrially Compostable

Physically disintegrates within 12 weeks; fully biodegrades (≥90% conversion to CO₂ + H₂O) in 3–6 months under industrial composting conditions (58°C+). Certificate status supplied per order.

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Plant-Based PLA Material

Derived from renewable corn starch or cassava. No petroleum-based plastics. Food-grade, BPA-free, and safe for cold beverages. Service temperature: -20°C to 45°C.

✨

High-Clarity Transparency

85–90% light transmission — high-clarity and suitable for showcasing vibrant cold drinks. Slight natural warmth compared to PET; ideal for eco-certified brands.

🖨️

Up to 8-Color Printing

Screen printing and offset printing available. Custom logo, pattern, or full-wrap design. Minimum order 30,000 pcs per size.

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4 Opening Diameters

78 mm, 89 mm, 92 mm, and 95 mm. Compatible with standard flat lids, dome lids, and strawless lids. ODM cup shapes available.

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DIN CERTCO Certified

BPI certification for US commercial composting covers named SKUs and runs to 2028. For the EU schemes we do not currently list a live registration — ask us for the certificate status before you advertise it, and we will tell you exactly what is in force.

PLA Compostable Cold Cups — Product Gallery

High-clarity transparency, multiple sizes, and custom printing options for eco-certified brands.

16oz PLA compostable cold cups with CupsPak logo, 95mm diameter, orange and lime drinks, wholesale from CupsPak
16 oz / 95 mm — Most popular size
Custom printed PLA compostable cold cup with botanical design, iced latte, coffee shop application
Custom printed — up to 7 colors
400ml U-shape PLA compostable cold cups, 89mm diameter, lemon and lime drinks, PLA logo
400 ml / 89 mm — U-shape format
20oz PLA compostable cold cups, 95mm diameter, milk tea and taro drinks, bubble tea application
20 oz / 95 mm — Wide-mouth format
PLA compostable cold cups in multiple sizes stacked, 12oz 16oz 24oz, bulk wholesale
Multiple sizes — 5.5 oz to 24 oz
PLA compostable cold cup filled with brown sugar bubble tea, dome lid, cafe setting
Bubble tea application
PLA compostable cold cup with fresh orange juice, juice bar application, flat lid
Juice bar application
PLA compostable cold cup with iced latte, coffee shop application, flat lid with straw
Iced coffee application

PLA Cold Cup Sizes & Specifications

4 opening diameters from 78 mm to 95 mm. All sizes available in plain or custom-printed versions.

78 mm Diameter

Small-format cups for sampling and espresso-based cold drinks

SizeCapacityHeightBase Dia.MOQ
5.5 oz150 ml55 mm50 mm30,000 pcs
7 oz200 ml48 mm45 mm30,000 pcs
8 oz220 ml82 mm48 mm30,000 pcs
9 oz250 ml101 mm45 mm30,000 pcs

89 mm Diameter

Standard cold-drink diameter — bubble tea, iced coffee, smoothies

SizeCapacityHeightBase Dia.MOQ
10 oz300 ml88 mm52 mm30,000 pcs
12 oz380 ml108 mm57 mm30,000 pcs
14 oz400 ml115 mm56 mm30,000 pcs
16 oz480 ml137 mm53 mm30,000 pcs
18 oz525 ml139 mm44 mm30,000 pcs
20 oz550 ml160 mm53 mm30,000 pcs
24 oz640 ml153 mm44 mm30,000 pcs

92 mm Diameter

Wide-mouth format for milkshakes, acai bowls and specialty drinks

SizeCapacityHeightBase Dia.MOQ
9 oz280 ml71 mm54.5 mm30,000 pcs
12 oz400 ml107 mm58 mm30,000 pcs
16 oz500 ml133 mm55 mm30,000 pcs
20 oz600 ml143 mm63 mm30,000 pcs

95 mm Diameter

Industry-standard large-format — most popular for bubble tea chains

SizeCapacityHeightBase Dia.MOQ
12 oz430 ml106 mm57 mm30,000 pcs
16 oz520 ml123 mm63 mm30,000 pcs
20 oz620 ml145 mm63 mm30,000 pcs

* Dimensions are nominal values. Contact us for exact tolerances. Custom sizes and ODM cup shapes available on request.

Compostability Certifications

Our PLA cups carry the most widely recognized international certifications for industrial compostability. Supporting documents available on request for your compliance team.

DIN CERTCO
EU status on request
DIN CERTCO (Germany)

European standard for industrially compostable packaging. Requires ≥90% biodegradation within 6 months and physical disintegration within 12 weeks at 58°C+.

OK Compost Industrial
TUV Austria
TUV Austria

Internationally recognized compostability mark for industrial composting facilities. Ask us which scheme is in force for your SKU before relying on it.

ASTM D6400
BPI Certified
Biodegradable Products Institute

US standard for compostable plastics. Requires ≥90% biodegradation within 180 days and disintegration within 84 days in industrial composting conditions.

SGS Food Safety
FDA food contact
SGS Group

Food-contact safety tested by SGS. Compliant with FDA requirements for plastic materials in contact with food; test reports available on request.

Ready to switch to compostable cold cups?

Get a free quote with pricing, lead time, and sample availability. Our team responds within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about PLA compostable cold cups before placing your order.

What is the difference between PLA and PET cups? ▼
PLA (polylactic acid) is a plant-based bioplastic derived from corn starch or cassava. It is industrially compostable; PLA resins are certified at the material level under EN 13432 / ASTM D6400 schemes. PET is a petroleum-based plastic that is recyclable (resin code #1) but not compostable. Both materials offer good clarity for cold drinks. Choose PLA for compostable programs; choose PET for conventional recycling programs.
How long does it take for PLA cups to compost? ▼
Under industrial composting conditions (58°C+, specific microbial environment), PLA cups physically disintegrate within 12 weeks and fully biodegrade (≥90% conversion to CO₂ and H₂O) within 3–6 months. PLA does not break down in home compost, landfill, or ocean environments — industrial composting facility access is required.
What certifications do your PLA cups carry? ▼
For US commercial composting the BPI certification covers named SKUs and runs to 2028; ask us for the current SKU list. For the EU schemes we do not currently list a live registration, so ask for the certificate status rather than taking a standard number from a listing. They are also SGS food-contact tested and compliant with FDA requirements, with test reports available on request.
Can PLA cups hold hot drinks? ▼
No. PLA has a heat deflection temperature of approximately 55°C and is designed for cold beverages only. Service temperature range is -20°C to 45°C. For hot drinks, please see our paper cups. For recyclable cold cups, see our PET cups.
What sizes are available for PLA compostable cold cups? ▼
We offer PLA cups from 5.5 oz to 24 oz across 4 opening diameters: 78 mm, 89 mm, 92 mm, and 95 mm. The most popular are 89 mm and 95 mm, which are the industry standard for bubble tea and large cold drinks.
What is the minimum order quantity? ▼
MOQ is 30,000 pcs per size for plain cups. For custom printed cups, MOQ is also 30,000 pcs per size. Mixed-size orders are accepted with a combined MOQ of 50,000 pcs.
Can I get custom printing on PLA cups? ▼
Yes. We offer screen printing (up to 8 colors) and offset printing. Custom logo, pattern, or full-wrap designs are available. Our design team can assist with artwork preparation. Please provide AI, PDF, or EPS files in CMYK color mode at 300 DPI minimum.
Are PLA cups safe for food contact? ▼
Yes. Our PLA cups are food-grade, BPA-free, and tested for food contact safety by SGS. They comply with FDA requirements (USA), and the test report is available on request. For EU-bound orders, tell us the destination market and we will confirm what documentation we can supply for it. Suitable for cold beverages including water, juice, iced coffee, bubble tea, and smoothies.
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