Made from durable, toughened glass with a plastic sipper lid and either a silicone or cork band, our KeepCup Brew, Brew Cork and Brew Longplay products are designed to be modular. Using quality materials, our considered design process determines the entire supply chain, product care and end of life solutions for minimal environmental impact.
Cup
Tempered soda lime glass
Benefits
- Tempered glass is durable, dishwasher safe and can withstand high temperatures. All glass is breakable.
- Internal volumes replicate industry standard, for correct coffee:milk ratio and speed of service.
- Cup lip is designed for pleasurable drinking without the lid.
Product care
- Dishwasher safe, top rack.
- Microwave with lid off to a maximum temperature of 100 °C / 212 °F.
- Caution: Rapid temperature change or heating over 100 °C / 212 °F may cause the glass cup to shatter. You cannot heat liquids in the microwave above boiling point, or put a cold cup in boiling water or microwave
Material information
Soda lime glass is widely used for glass cups, bottles and containers. Our glass cups are manufactured in a machine blow-molding line, which is standard for most commercial products. It delivers dimensional uniformity in diameter and lip, which is not consistently achievable using hand-blown glass production. Glass KeepCups are toughened by tempering, which is a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling. Due to the nature of glass as a material, it remains breakable but it's much more resistant to thermal shock and mechanical shock. It's also safer, as tempered glass it beads when broken, and does not shard, making it less likely to cause injury.
Part manufacture
China
Manufacture waste
Glass rejected in manufacturing is collected and added back into the furnace. All glass products contain around 25% recycled content.
Assembly waste
Customer returns and reject parts from assembly are collected and sent to local commercial recycling. The glass is crushed and remade into either wine or beer bottles, or used as a sand substitute for road base. Broken glass is not recyclable in most household waste collection because the type of glass it's made of cannot be clearly identified - glass made for mirrors, windshields, drink glassware and food containers are all produced using different chemicals and processes. To avoid material contamination, it will be sent to landfill.
End of life
Replacement parts are available, so you can replace the part, not the product. If your glass cup breaks, please dispose of the pieces carefully in your rubbish bin.
Band
Silicone (synthetic elastomer) #7
Benefits
- Silicone provides thermal insulation to protect touch. It's flexible, durable and non-porous, making it highly resistant to degradation.
- It also offers great non slip properties, so you can hold tight when drinking on the go.
Product care
- Silicone is very durable and can withstand high temperatures, including in the microwave and dishwasher.
- Please note: If water gets under the band during washing, it can slide down a cup. For best results, dry band on dry cup.
Material information
Silicone is a synthetic elastomer (soft plastic) and is made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and silicon, which comes from silica and is derived from sand. The silicone process involves extracting silicon from silica, passing it through hydrocarbons (fossil fuels) then mixing with other chemicals to create silicone elastomer.
Part manufacture
China
Manufacture waste
Reject stock at point of manufacture is dessicated and made into silicone oil, which is used in a wide range of industrial applications.
Assembly waste and customer returns
We collect any reject stock, misprints and customer returns. We are storing these in Australia and the UK whilst we search for a local solution.
End of life
Replacement parts are available, so you can replace the part, not the product. Silicone requires a dedicated commercial recycling collection which is not offered by residential curbside collection. Discarded bands go to landfill.
Cork band
Cork
Benefits
- Designed to fit into the undercut on our glass cups, the cork bands provide thermal insulation and comfort for holding while drinking. It's naturally lightweight, impermeable and biodegradable.
- The bands are water resistant, antibacterial and heat resistant.
Product care
- Due to production method and cork being a natural material, there can be slight variances in colour, height and width of the band. As a result band fitment will vary - some can be moved slightly on the cup, and some may fit tightly with no movement. Both are fit for purpose as intended, to protect your hand from heat when holding.
- For longevity, we advise hand washing only and to not remove the cork band. Repeat dishwashing will cause the band to become discoloured and stretched.
- Similarly, microwaving may reduce its lifespan by causing the band to dry out and crumble.
- Please treat your cork bands with care, especially when fitting it to your glass. Over time, the cork band will form a tight bond with the glass cup, if you need to remove your band, make sure you follow our instructions to avoid breakage.
Material information
Natural, renewable and biodegradable, cork is a sustainable material as it’s harvested from living trees. Our bands are upcycled from the waste by-product of wine cork production in Portugal. The cork is granulated, then compression-moulded with a very small amount of vegan food grade polyurethane bonding agent - just enough to hold it together while retaining the look and feel of natural cork. Your cork band may stain over time with use, and we encourage you to view this as a natural patina to the product.
Part manufacture
Portugal
Manufacture waste
Cork waste from reject stock, extrusion and tool parts at point of manufacture is re-granulated and used to manufacture new products that require less visual colour consistency.
Assembly waste and customer returns
We have composting at our assembly hubs, and all broken or damaged cork parts are turned into compost for our workplace.
End of life
Replacement parts are available, so you can replace the part, not the product. The cork can be buried or biodegraded in household compost at end of life. You can either drop it off at a local cork recycle collection point, or crush your cork band, wet it and add to your garden compost or on your garden as mulch.
Longplay sleeve
Co-polyester plastic (Tritan) #7
Benefits
- The Longplay band and sleeve can be retro-fitted to 12/16oz sizes and was designed to increase durability, retain heat and protect touch from hot liquids.
- Please note: In order for a sleeve to work correctly, it needs to be paired with a Longplay band which has an internal lip to hold the plastic sleeve onto the glass cup.
Product care
- Longplay will be warm to touch when filled with hot liquid if moisture is trapped between the walls, or if the sleeve is not fitted correctly. Disassemble and clean to reduce heat transfer. Watch KeepCup Longplay and sleeve assembly instructions for assistance.
- For best thermal results, heat the glass with hot water before filling.
- For everyday use, clean with a quick rinse. Once a week, take it fully apart to remove moisture between the twin walls. Allow to dry complete before assembly.
- Scuffing/scratching will occur on sleeve over time.
- Do not microwave.
- Watch KeepCup Longplay and sleeve assembly instructions for assistance.
Material information
Our Longplay sleeve is made from Tritan, which is a brand name for clear copolyester plastic - a durable, lightweight and unbreakable alternative to glass.
Part manufacture
Australia
Manufacture waste
Reject stock, extrusion and tool part waste are ground into pellets and used to manufacture other products that are not required to be food safe or colour matched.
Assembly waste
In Australia, customer returns and reject parts from assembly are collected and returned (sorted by material) to the manufacturer to be pelletised and used to manufacture products not required to meet food safety standards. In the UK, we currently store reject tritan parts while we look for a local commercial recycling solution.
End of life
Replacement parts are available, so you can replace the part, not the product. The tritan sleeve may be placed in your recycling bin if your local council accepts #7 hard plastics. Due to low recycling rates for plastic, recycle classifications have not been updated since the 1980s. #7 is 'other', a catch-all for all new and non-classified plastics. Less than 10% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. Currently, 45% of all plastic produced globally is for single-use packaging. Reusable solutions are the only way forward to meaningfully reduce waste and pollution.
Longplay band
Co-polyester plastic (Tritan) #7
Benefits
- Our silicone Brew Longplay bands are durable with great non-slip, thermal-resistant qualities and are BPA and BPS free.
- Longplay bands differ from standard KeepCup silicone bands – they are wider, and have an internal lip designed to keep your glass cup and plastic sleeve connected. In order for a sleeve to work correctly, it needs to be paired with a Longplay band.
Product care
- Silicone is very durable and can withstand high temperatures, including in the microwave and dishwasher.
- Please note: If water gets under the band during washing, it can slide down a cup. For best results, dry band on dry cup.
Material information
Silicone is a synthetic elastomer (soft plastic) and is made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and silicon, which comes from silica and is derived from sand. The silicone process involves extracting silicon from silica, passing it through hydrocarbons (fossil fuels) then mixing with other chemicals to create silicone elastomer.
Part manufacture
China
Manufacture waste
Reject stock at point of manufacture is dessicated and made into silicone oil, which is used in a wide range of industrial applications.
Assembly waste and customer returns
We collect any reject stock, misprints and customer returns. We are storing these in Australia and the UK whilst we search for a local solution.
End of life
Replacement parts are available, so you can replace the part, not the product. Silicone requires a dedicated commercial recycling collection which is not offered by residential curbside collection. Discarded bands go to landfill.
Lid
Polypropylene alloy plastic (PP) #7. A modified polypropylene (PP) lid body and an overmolded dark grey thermoplastic elastomer inner seal (TPE) means the lid is a polypropylene alloy, reclassified from the traditional polypropylene (PP) #5 to #7 plastic.
Benefits
- Our firm, easy to press on lid is the result of precise engineering and manufacturing and fits easily into a busy service environment, as well as providing drinking pleasure on the go.
- Concave shaped, to fit your face with a drink hole sized for easy flow.
- The breather hole, which allows air to escape and enable liquid flow for drinking on the go, is covered and sealed when the plug is closed. Steam will escape with hot beverages that will turn into liquid on the lid.
Product care
- We recommend that you wait 30 seconds after pouring boiling water before putting your lid on.
- Retain plug in open position for all contents over 65C.
- The lid pops directly on and off, make sure you use the tab on the lid to lift off and to firmly and evenly press back on.
- Dishwasher safe, top rack.
- Do not microwave.
- To avoid odour, store lid off.
Material information
The lid for our KeepCup Brew range is manufactured with two easily identifiable material parts. The first is a modified polypropylene (PP) lid body substrate, which provides a rigid structure. This is then used to overmold the second material part, the dark grey thermoplastic elastomer inner seal (TPE). TPEs are most commonly a mix of plastic and rubber. They have the properties of rubber, but are processed the same way as plastic and are recyclable. The inner seal provides the soft flexibility to ensure necessary sealing that accommodates slight diameter glass cup shape variances that are unavoidable in the glass blowing process.
Part manufacture
Australia
Manufacture waste
Reject stock, extrusion and tool part plastic waste at point of manufacture is ground up in house, added to palletised material and used to manufacture products which are not required to be food safe.
Assembly waste and customer returns
Customer returns and reject parts are collected and sent to our local manufacturer to be ground down and used to make other products that are not required to be food safe.
End of life
If the cup leaks from the lid, wash in the dishwasher and allow to cool completely - often the lid can bounce back into shape. Replacement parts are available, so you can replace the part, not the product. If your household waste service collection accepts #7 hard plastics, please place in your recycle bin for collection. Less than 10% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. Currently, 40% of all plastic produced globally is for single-use packaging. Reusable solutions are the only way forward to meaningfully reduce waste and pollution.
Plug
Low-density polyethylene plastic (LDPE) #4
Benefits
- Designed for ease of rotation while drinking on the go.
- The plug ensures adequate hygiene as it covers the mouthpiece when not in use. It also prevents spills in transit.
- Designed to be taken apart easily for thorough cleaning.
Product care
- For daily use, wash the plug as part of the lid. The plug can be removed for a thorough clean.
- Do not microwave.
- Use caution in dishwasher if separate from lid, as plugs can fall through the rack and be damaged or melted by the dishwasher element.
Material information
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the most widely used plastics for food and drink containers. This material is malleable and easy to injection mold, ensuring we achieve the right dimensional tolerances, and therefore better fit and part operation. This accuracy contributes to lowering the overall manufacture footprint of our products.
Part manufacture
Australia and the United Kingdom
Manufacture waste
Reject stock, extrusion and tool part waste are ground into pellets and used to manufacture products that are not required to be food safe or colour matched.
Assembly waste and customer returns
Customer returns and reject parts from assembly are collected and returned (sorted by material) to the manufacturer to be pelletised and used to manufacture products not required to meet food safety standards.
End of life
Replacement parts are available, so you can replace the part, not the product. Low density polyethylene is readily recycled via most household waste service collections worldwide. Please place in your recycle bin for collection.
Packaging
100% FSC certified board, using soy based inks. Recyled cardboard cradle insert, to protect glass in transit. Tells the story of the brand to inspire reduce and reuse.
Benefits
- In addition to telling the story of our products and their benefits, we design packaging that walks the line - avoiding breakage and protecting products in transit while minimising material to reduce waste.
- Where possible, we work with customers to ship orders bulk packed and semi assembled, without retail packaging, to reduce waste.
Carton packaging material
Recycled cardboard cartons are designed to maximise the number of product configurations, made in Australia and the UK to service local markets. The cartons are used first to store and ship components, then reused in our assembly locations to ship products to our customer. Recycled cardboard pallet packaging and carton inserts are used to maximise shipping volumes, avoid unnecessary individual plastic packaging and protect our products from damage, and are then reused as space filler by our warehouse team when packing orders.
Part manufacture
Australia and the United Kingdom
Manufacture waste
100% of all retail and carton packaging reject stock and manufacture offcuts are collected and recycled.
Assembly waste
When packing orders, we reuse stock cartons and utiliise cardboard waste as space filler. Any damaged cartons, reject retail boxes or unused packaging are commercially recycled.
End of life
All retail packaging and cardboard cartons are readily recycled via household waste service collections worldwide. Please place in your recycle bin for collection.