UK-based food packaging producer Go-Pak Group has introduced Clarity, a collection of transparent cups for cold drinks made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET).

The range is aimed at cafés, foodservice businesses and grab-and-go outlets.

The cups are made entirely from recycled material, contain no virgin plastic and are recyclable after use.

The products are above the 30% recycled-content level set under the UK Plastic Packaging Tax.

This may allow eligible manufacturers and importers to avoid the tax applied to packaging with less than 30% recycled plastic.

The cups have been given a green rating under the UK’s Recyclability Assessment Methodology.

The products may help businesses cut Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) charges compared with packaging formats that are less recyclable.

The cups are said to be crack-resistant and intended for use by cafés, takeaway operators, foodservice providers and grab-and-go retailers.

They can be used for bubble tea, desserts, iced coffees, juices, matcha drinks, and smoothies.

At end of life, rPET cups can be collected, sorted and processed into material for new products where the appropriate recycling infrastructure is available.

Go-Pak product development manager Alexandra Forsyth-Nash said: “Clarity has been developed for businesses that want to reduce their use of virgin plastic while continuing to offer reliable, high-quality drinks packaging.

“Using 100% rPET gives procurement teams, sustainability leads and tender decision-makers a clear recycled-content claim. It also demonstrates how plastic waste can be collected, processed and used to create another product, supporting a more circular approach to packaging.”