For many, morning coffee is a beloved ritual and an absolute must-have for a good start to the day. But you don't always have the time or equipment to make it at home. How fortunate that you can get a delicious drink to go on almost every street corner. Whether at the train station, the kiosk, the bakery, the café or the vending machine: takeaway drinks are in!

The to-go cup has become something of a symbol and leitmotif of modern society. We know this sight all too well, not only from films, but also from our own everyday lives: people with mobile phones to their ears and drink cups in their hands rushing from A to B and from appointment to appointment. Nowadays, to-go cups are considered a lifestyle accessory, especially in urban centres.

Expert advice: To-go cups have not only become a modern accessory, but can also serve as a statement – a statement for your service. Restaurateurs should therefore not underestimate the communication aspect of sustainable cups: let not only your customers speak for themselves, but also your packaging solutions – with customised printed solutions. We are happy to help you showcase your beverages.

The mega trend of mobility has resulted in a growing demand for takeaway food: people are not only eating on the go, but also drinking. This is hardly surprising, given that adults should drink at least 1.5 litres of fluid a day on average. Depending on their activity level and the temperature, they may even need more. But it's not always water that people are thirsty for – in the truest sense of the word. Coffee, juices and smoothies offer variety when it comes to maintaining fluid balance.

Nowadays, it is no longer primarily water that is consumed, but above all luxury drinks "on the go". First and foremost, of course, is the "coffee to go", which ranks right at the top of the popularity scale. But the range is now almost endless: almost every drink - whether hot or cold, with or without alcohol - is now also available for on the go and in-between enjoyment. For example:

• Coffee specialities in all variations, e.g. cappuccino, espresso, latte macchiato, cold brew
• Tea drinks, e.g. iced tea, bubble tea, classic hot tea
• Fruit and vegetable cold drinks, e.g. smoothies, shakes and juices
• Alcoholic drinks, such as mulled wine, cocktails or beer

Beverage variety: cup variants and their advantages

The packaging solutions for To Go beverages are as diverse as the range of beverages on offer. There are transparent or printed cups, made of cardboard or bagasse, for cold or hot drinks. Since 2023, restaurateurs have had to offer a reusable alternative in addition to disposable packaging. Here the customer is spoilt for choice: can it be a disposable cup that is properly disposed of and recycled after use or a reusable cup that is to be rinsed and reused. One thing is certain: sustainability considerations play a weighty role in both options.

To paraphrase a popular saying: Different drinks - different packaging. There is no one packaging that is suitable for all drinks. To give an example: smoothies are served and consumed differently than good old filter coffee. The former are not only enjoyed cold, but often through a straw.

In the (self-service) display, smoothies, shakes and juices are often served on ice. Here, drip- and leak-proof packaging under high hygienic standards is indispensable. The climate-neutral cup seal concept Duniform® relies on crystal-clear and sustainable rPET glasses made of recycled plastic and sealing within seconds at the touch of a button. This not only makes it easier to display the to-go energiser, but also to take away. To consume, guests simply need to insert a straw or open the seal and enjoy the freshness kick.

Learn more about the Duniform sealing concept here

Conclusion drinks to-go: Sustainability drinks with you

The to-go drinks trend is here to stay. It is accompanied by the population's ever-growing awareness of sustainability. A circumstance that only seems contrary at first glance. Nowadays, there are a variety of environmentally sensitive to-go packaging that make drinking on the go a sustainable experience.