What Is The SUPD "Plastic In Product" Logo? (And How To Find Unmarked Drinkware In The UK)

If you have purchased takeaway coffee cups, plastic tumblers, or disposable glassware recently, you have likely spotted a prominent red-and-blue graphic featuring a turtle, a discarded cup, and the words "Plastic in Product" or "Made of Plastic".

Often referred to colloquially in the catering trade as the "dead turtle logo", this marking has sparked confusion and aesthetic frustration for cafe owners, mobile bar operators, and wedding caterers alike.

What does this logo actually mean legally in the UK, why is it on so many products, and is it possible to source pristine, unmarked cups and champagne flutes?

Why is the turtle logo on disposable drinkware?

The marking is a requirement under the European Union Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU) 2019/904 (SUPD). Introduced across EU member states to reduce marine litter and heighten consumer awareness, the directive mandates standardised markings on single-use items containing synthetic polymers.

Depending on the product, the mark appears in one of two formats:

• Printed logo (red and blue): Found printed directly on the exterior of paper cups (including traditional PE-lined and plant-based PLA cups).

• Embossed / debossed stamp: Molded directly into the base or wall of clear plastic drinkware, such as disposable pint tumblers, wine glasses, and champagne flutes.

Do UK venues legally require the SUPD turtle logo?

The short answer is no, not in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales).

Because the SUPD is an EU directive that came into mandatory enforcement after Brexit, the UK government chose not to adopt the EU "Plastic in Product" turtle marking regulations for domestic sales in Great Britain. (Note: Under the Windsor Framework, goods supplied into Northern Ireland or exported to the EU/Republic of Ireland must still comply with EU marking standards.)

Why do most UK cups and glasses still have the logo?

If Great Britain does not mandate it, why are the majority of cups and plastic flutes sold by UK suppliers still stamped with the turtle?

• Pan-European manufacturing: The vast majority of disposable drinkware is produced by massive international manufacturers supplying the entire European continent. Running separate production lines purely for the UK market is cost-prohibitive, so factories print or emboss the EU-compliant logo on their master inventory by default.

• Standard stock profiles: Because these lines are widely available and cost-effective, standard SUPD-marked drinkware remains the primary stock profile across wholesale distributors.

The caterer’s dilemma: Function vs. presentation

For everyday high-volume food service—like festivals, street food markets, and busy delivery kitchens—standard SUPD-marked cups and tumblers remain a staple: they are reliable, commercial-grade, and cost-efficient.

However, presentation matters significantly for upscale settings:

• Weddings and banquets: Serving prosecco or vintage champagne in a clear flute stamped with a disposal warning and a turtle logo compromises the aesthetic of a dressed table.

• Boutique coffee shops: Minimalist, artisan cafes often want clean Kraft or solid black ripple cups without mandatory EU graphics cluttering their cup surface.

Sourcing unmarked cups and glasses: What are the options?

To serve venues requiring pristine presentation, clean, unmarked alternatives are available alongside standard wholesale inventory:

• Unmarked disposable champagne flutes:

   

   

  Crystal-clear disposable flutes designed specifically for weddings, toasts, corporate galas, and VIP bar service without embossed exterior SUPD graphics. These maintain a crisp, glass-like clarity from rim to base.

  

   

   

• Non-SUPD paper hot cups:

  Select production runs manufactured without the pre-printed red-and-blue EU turtle marking, offering a clean, unbranded exterior for your hot drink service. Current logo-free lines include:

  • 8oz kraft ripple cups & 12oz kraft ripple cups: Natural, textured outer walls providing excellent heat insulation with an authentic rustic finish.

  • 8oz black ripple cups: Modern, minimalist styling ideal for specialty coffee roasters and sleek mobile vans.

  • 8oz plain white cups & 12oz plain white cups: Blank, clinical canvases perfect for custom stamp branding or clean, understated service.
    

An option to buy a non-SUPD product is available on the quantity picker - if applicable. If you're unsure on whether we have an alternative for a particular cup, get in touch with us.