Can you think of any large sporting events happening this summer? We can think of a few! With a new season just around the corner and a summer of sport about to commence – pubs, and outdoor venues are set to not just get busier but shift gear. Longer dwell times and bigger groups of customers, meaning food must be served fast, easily and cleared away just as quickly. Putting disposables firmly in the spotlight.
In this blog, we explore key products that can help you manage high footfall, deliver excellent service, make more responsible material choices and create a fun environment for customers to enjoy the sporting season.
rPET Cups
Great drinks deserve great cups. That is why we suggest serving your drinks this summer using rPET cups. They are fast becoming the go-to choice for bars, pubs and events.
Why rPET?
rPET is made from recycled plastic, often previously used bottles, which are cleaned and transformed into new products. It is fully recyclable, helping keep materials in circulation and reducing the need for virgin plastic.
Lightweight, durable and with strong clarity, rPET cups provide a premium look while standing up to busy service. Crucial for service excellence for your business’s success.
Top tip: Clear recycling signage helps customers recycle rPET cups correctly so they can be turned into new products.
For busy sporting events, rPET cups offer efficient cold drink service with various sizes and lid options for different beverages. Made with 70% post-consumer recycled plastic, both the cups and lids are fully recyclable after use. Helping businesses make more responsible material choices without compromising on practicality.
Napkins
Napkins are easy to overlook, but crucial to get right. They can really make or break a customer’s experience at your venue. They’re often wasted especially in self-service areas, creating an undesirable visual environment. Therefore, impacting your costs as well as potentially sending the wrong message about your approach to waste, hygiene, and sustainability.
The Tork Xpressnap® Napkins and dispensers are designed for busy self-service environments where napkins need to be available close at hand. They support a fast, more efficient guest experience when hygiene and swift service are critical – a perfect solution for the busy summer period fast approaching!
There is a wide range of stylish, modern dispensers available on request, that will fit your needs. AD-a-Glance® Display panels can promote your brand or highlight special drink offers during sporting events. A great way to promote your brand and add a subtle touch of bespoke. Also, the dispensers provide one-at-a-time dispensing, helping to control consumption and your costs. This means that your customers will only touch the napkin they use, therefore providing a more hygienic solution. This solution can cut unused napkin waste by 83%, helping to lower costs, improve hygiene, reduce wastage and strengthen your sustainability credentials.1
*When compared to traditional napkin dispensers. Does not include the drive thru model or Tork Xpressnap Fit N14 System.
Clamshells
Delicious, sizzling hot dogs and flaming burgers deserve to be served properly. Packaging plays a crucial element to the al-fresco dining experience. Customers don’t want leaking containers or unstable burger boxes. So, choosing the right packaging can make all the difference. This will be essential when you’re cooking at pace sizzling sausages, flipping burgers, and serving a steady flow of customers. Service will shift significantly this summer, therefore, being prepared with the right disposables, will make your service run smoother.
We suggest the Notpla Burger and Hot Dog Clamshells. Available in a variety of sizes, suitable for both hot and cold food, snacks and great as an ‘on the go’ solution, due to their secure clamshell hinged lids. Perfect for more than just hot dogs and burgers but also nachos, kebabs, rice dishes and so much more!
Not only are the Notpla clamshells practical and will help you score service wins this summer, the packaging will disappear as fast as a fruit peel!
TWOinONE cup
Do you want to revolutionise the disposable cup you serve customer’s drinks in this summer? We have just the solution for you!
The story behind the TWOinONE cup
It is stated, that globally around 32% of plastic packaging escapes into nature as it is neither collected nor recycled2. Furthermore, approximately 80% of the plastic found in oceans originates from this waste that initially leaks on land3. Polymateria is the first company to scientifically demonstrate that the most likely sources of unmanaged plastic waste can return safely to nature without creating microplastics, harming the natural environment, or interfering with recycling streams at scale. As a result, they developed the scientifically profound ‘Self-Destruct Cup’, known as the TWOinONE cup.
The science behind the TWOinONE cup
Polymateria’s patented technology used in the cup, enables plastics that escape into the environment, such as the cup, to transform into a wax which then biodegrades within approximately two years in open air environments. The technology has been designed to support the circular economy, but it is encouraged to recycle the cups where possible for a faster recycling process. However, they recognise that some plastics unfortunately can leak into the environment and that their technology acts as an insurance policy, to ensure these materials do not persist for hundreds of years, to avoid harming the natural environment and leaving behind any microplastics too.
(The cup is tested in line with BSI PAS 9017)
The TWOinONE cup is a great option to serve pints in this summer of sport. The captivating messaging on the front ‘recycle this cup before it self-destructs’ acts as a significant conversation starter for your customers and encourages them to dispose of their used cups correctly, making the job of recycling them much easier for you. Plus, helping to save you time clearing them up.
Correct refuge points need to be provided to customers. These need to be clearly labelled and signposted. Polymateria and eGreen can provide specific branding options to both the cups and refuge point signage to make it more bespoke to your business.
Trays, pots and deli containers
It is crucial for your success this summer, that you don’t forget the following products:
- Food trays
- Deli containers
- PLA portion pots
Food trays are a great option to serve your food on these coming summer months. Great for pub gardens and sharing styles of food such as topped and loaded nachos or fries. Ultimately, customers want food that’s easy to handle and holds its quality, without the risk of it falling off a plate or being squashed into unsuitable packaging. Microflute Kraft Food Trays are suitable for both hot and cold food, so whether you are plating up those nachos or an ice cream sundae, these trays have you covered!
They are lightweight, sturdy and stackable. They’re also suitable for hot cabinets, therefore enabling you to prepare food prior to busy periods and focus on other areas of service when demand peaks.
Another essential product is deli containers. These are great for snacks such as crisps, nuts and olives.
Top tip: Pre-package snacks before busy periods so staff can serve customers quickly when demand increases.
Unsung product to improve customer experience
Carrying multiple drinks across a busy pub garden isn’t easy especially when they’re filled to the brim. The risk of spills and waste increases, particularly during peak moments like breaks in games, when queues are longer and customers are more likely to order multiple items at once.
As a result, we recommend you stock up on our moulded fibre options, available in two- and four-cup formats, they’re designed to offer a secure grip while also being easy to stack and store. Small considerations like this can help create a smoother, more enjoyable experience for both customers and operators during busy periods.
Overall, Bidfood Catering Supplies are here to help you deliver excellent customer service while keeping operations efficient, simple and top tier.
Contact your Bidfood Catering Supplies Specialist to discuss how we can support you create the ultimate outdoor experience this summer, and explore our new Disposable Guide to explore our full range of disposable solutions.
Resources:
- Tork. Tork Xpressnap Fit® Tabletop Napkin Dispenser Black N14 (272900). Available at: Tork Global (accessed 14 May 2026).
- World Economic Forum, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and McKinsey & Company. The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics. 2016. PDF report
- Oean Plastics.” Our World in Data. Published 2018; updated regularly. Our World in Data – Ocean Plastics
