Plastic glassware is being used more in the pub industry especially at outdoor and sporting events, with calls from various councils and police forces around the UK to replace the traditional pint glass, wine glass and tumbler with polycarbonate ones.
A recent trial in Colchester has met with favourable feedback from publicans due to the increased safety to staff and customers after a string of recent incidents.
Plastic glassware may work out more expensive than glass but it does have some added benefits:
- It’s harder to smash so less likely to cause harm if used during violent incidents or with day to day accidents such as slips, trips and falls while carrying glassware.
- Plastic glassware also tends to be longer lasting than glass and in some cases is practically indestructible. There are some that are tough enough to withstand the weight of a person standing on it, if it is cleaned and handled correctly using the correct proprietary cleaning chemicals, so in the long term plastic glassware is more economical.
There are some downsides to bear in mind. Plastic does tend to act differently to glass when beer is introduced, there can be issues with head retention especially when serving lager. Plastic also takes longer to dry when using standard glasswash detergents and rinse aids, this is due to the fact that plastic does not retain heat as well as glass which means the thermal drying cycle of any glasswashing machine is less effective.
Proton offer specially formulated detergent and rinse aid for polycarbonate glassware. Available separately or as a combination pack containing 5 litres of Protobrite and 5 litres of Krystal Klear
Protobrite Polycarb
A Machine Detergent, specially developed for use in automatic dosing Cabinet Glasswashers. This concentrated detergent formula is excellent at removing dirt deposits, grease, stains and tannins while being safe for use with all styles of plastic glassware. Protobrite Polycarb Detergent leaves all plastic and polycarbonate looking clean and like new without causing damage and leading to costly replacements.
Krystal Klear Polycarb
A Machine Rinse Aid additive, specially developed for use in automatic dosing Cabinet Glasswashers. Ideal for use in all water hardness conditions. A specially developed non-ionic surfactant formula, safe for use with all styles of plastic and polycarbonate glasses. Promotes rapid drying on plastic and polycarbonate, better than standard glasswash rinse aids. Gives a crisp streak free shine and no aftertaste.
This is suitable for all water conditions including very hard. If you also use Plastic and melamine in your kitchen please see our Halo range.