Cold drinks, hot drinks, all alcohol, soups. No leakage. One SKU.
Traditionally, airlines stocked separate cups for coffee, cold drinks and spirits. And across the airline industry alone, 22 million plastic cups are still used every single day. But it is not just a waste. For airlines, hotels and event organisers, it also means more suppliers to manage and higher running costs.
The A-Cup changes all of this. One paper cup doing the work of three does more than cut down on clutter. It untangles your logistics.
One product instead of three means buyers manage a single order line, stockrooms get their space back, and training new staff takes minutes instead of hours. With no plastic cups on board, there is no plastic tax to pay on them either.
Key Takeaways
- One cup replaces three: Hot drinks, cold drinks and alcohol. Even soup.
- Operational savings: One supplier, one SKU, simplified inventory, less admin overhead.
- Sustainability: Home compostable, with no traditional plastic. Just 0.6% polymer in the lining, certified Flustix Low Plastic.
- Proven in practice: Tested at F1 events, KLM Open, sports venues, and by leading airlines.
- Available in all sizes: From 4oz to 20oz, with custom sizing available.
- Complete service solution: Pair the A-Cup with Hello Straw's paper cutlery Service Set, built up to 6 in 1, for a fully paper based service.
Why the Multi-Cup System Is Costing You More Than You Think
The reality is that the complexity of multiple cups adds up:
- More suppliers: Three to manage instead of one.
- More to store: Separate storage, separate counting, more admin.
- Mixed quality: Different cups quality across service types, and messier recycling.
What Is the A-Cup?
The A-Cup is a paper cup that handles every drink you serve. Cold drinks, hot drinks up to 85°C, soups, beer, wine and other acidic drinks, and spirits up to 45% ABV. It holds for a full hour service with no leaks, no collapse and no taste transfer. And even with high temperatures, heat does not transfer.
All these innovative features come from the A-Cup's unique structure:
- Water based coating: No traditional plastic. Just 0.6% polymer, and it stays compostable and recyclable.
- 250gsm white paper: Strong, feels good in the hand, and prints well.
- Food safe glue: Cold glue, with nothing that can get into the drink.
- Treated seams: The seam is where cups usually leak. This one is sealed.
The result is one cup that does every job properly.
"This is the best paper cup I have ever seen so far!" — German Hotels
Proven Across Five Industries
The A-Cup has been tested and proven across five key sectors:
- Airlines & Travel
- Catering & Hospitality
- Sports & Outdoor
- Events & Festivals
Events
"This cup can save airlines a lot of headache from not using plastic cups, it is a must for airlines." — Fabio Gamba, Chairman of ACA
How the A-Cup Compares
Rigorous Testing, Real-World Results
Every day, 1,000 cups from each production lot are tested on site. Our own four laboratories test against every kind of alcoholic drink each week, and official international laboratories verify the results. Production follows BRC and IFS standards, with full traceability, sterilisation and temperature control.
The A-Cup has been tested with leading brands such as Bacardi and Johnnie Walker, and across tequila, whisky, brandy, rum, gin, vodka, beer, wine, champagne, coffee, tea, matcha, chai and acidic juices. It holds alcohol up to 45% ABV for a full hour with no leaks and no taste transfer.
Complete Your Sustainable Service: The Paper Cutlery Service Set
Hello Straw has been producing paper cutlery since 2021. The Service Set includes paper knives, forks, spoons, and stirrers, and can be built up to 6 in 1, including salt and pepper pouches. You choose what goes in it. Why paper over wood or bamboo?
- More sustainable: Paper is easier to recycle and compost than wood or bamboo alternatives.
- Neutral taste: No woody or bitter aftertaste.
- Safer: No risk of splinters.
- Better functionality: Paper cutlery performs consistently across hot and cold food service.
- Fully recyclable: Fits into existing paper waste streams with no extra sorting required.
The Airline Market Is Moving to Paper
Edelweiss, Corendon, SWISS, and Sunclass began using the Service Set in 2023. Since 2025, the shift has accelerated.
Beyond aviation, the Service Set and the cup have both been used at over 20 trade shows and at events including Formula 1, the KLM Open, and Amsterdam Dance Event. Harrods has backed the range.
When paired with the A-Cup, the Service Set gives you a complete paper based service from a single supplier. One order, one delivery, one consistent brand experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What beverages has the A-Cup been tested with?
Tested with premium spirits (Bacardi, gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum), wine, beer, champagne, coffee, tea, matcha, chai, and acidic juices across a two-hour service window with zero leakage or taste transfer.
Does it really go in home compost?
Yes. The cup is paper based, with a water based coating instead of a plastic lining. It is 0.6% plastic and home compostable.
Can I get the A-Cup in my brand colours?
Yes. Hello Straw offers free, custom-branded samples so you can see your logo and branding on the cup before committing to an order. The 250gsm white paper provides a clean, high-quality print surface.
What is the Service Set?
Paper knives, forks, spoons, and stirrers, built up to 6 in 1 and including salt and pepper pouches if you want them. Made from paper since 2021, they are recyclable, splinter-free, and taste-neutral. KFC Chile and Harrods are among those using the range.
