Plastic drinking glasses: why do they have to be so darned flimsy?

I’d like to revisit a subject I touched on last year, namely plastic drinking glasses. After recently paying 12 quid for a G&T and getting it served in a flimsy plastic glass I feel the need to share my thoughts. Again.

In a way this is aimed as much at the bars and pub companies who order in plastic containers as the manufacturers of such products. But don’t drift off; those who make the things can surely still have an input.

Drinks companies spend inordinate amounts of money researching, producing and then marketing their beverages.

Whether crafting a sublime cask ale or an innovative spirit or a decent bottle of wine, a lot of effort and resource goes into the process. Consequently the price at the bar can often be quite steep.

Now I don’t mind paying for quality. But I do object to paying a stiff price for a drink, only for it to be served in a flimsy plastic glass.

I know some venues – and in this instance I’m thinking of the bar in the Royal Festival Hall (RFH) on London’s South Bank – are bound by local licensing regulations to serve drinks in plastic glasses for health and safety reasons, as are pubs near football grounds or those whose customers wander outside the establishment on a fine summer’s afternoon.

Safety is an issue and ‘glassings’ do take place, regrettably. But this doesn’t mean the safe plastic glass can’t have the look and feel of a ‘proper’ glass glass. I’ve visited companies who manufacture plastic glasses which fit the bill, so why aren’t more outlets using them?

Many in the brewing industry and the wine trade think that to serve their wonderful ales in a plastic glass is bordering on criminal. But if the container had the feel of the real thing there would be less of an issue.

Drinks prices in the on-trade are at a premium and only likely to go higher. If I want a good quality gin and tonic and I decide on a Tanqueray Ten – as I did at the RFH the other night – then if the bar is duty bound to serve it in a plastic glass they should at least ensure it comes in a chunky one, rather than something that makes me feel like I’m at a toddler’s birthday party.

Does your company make plastic glasses? If so, what kind of discussions do you have with drinks companies? I'm all ears.

NB. For all those on the edges of your seats, my ‘plastic packaged cucumber freshness’ experiment will commence shortly. Basically as soon as I can find an ‘unpackaged’ one!

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