Speed up drying of reusable plasticware – without compromising hygiene

Simple steps for faster drying, better workflows, and professional results.

Reusable plastic cups, trays, and containers are a smart alternative to single-use items, but they can be frustratingly slow to dry. If moisture is left behind, hygiene risks increase and operations slow down. Here’s how to improve drying performance while keeping cleaning results reliable.

Plastic waste is a global challenge where we generate over 350 million tons of plastic waste yearly in the world. Despite this scale, recycling accounts for only around 9 % of the total plastic waste¹. Many plastic items are used only once but can remain in the environment for a long time if they are littered or not properly collected and recycled.

For food service, cleaning companies, and institutions, using single use plastics often creates hidden costs, because items must be bought repeatedly, and waste costs keep rising.  At the same time, EU regulations and growing expectations from customers and other stakeholders are pushing organizations to move toward more sustainable practices². 

Regulation as a response: from single-use to reuse

In the EU, the Single-Use Plastics Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/904) was adopted in 2019 to reduce the environmental impact of plastic products that commonly end up as waste. Instead of only banning products, it aims to change how plastics are used by focusing on: 

• Using fewer single-use plastic items 
• Switching to reusable alternatives 
• Designing products that are easy to clean, safe to reuse, and made for a circular economy 

In practice, this is accelerating the shift from single-use items to reusable alternatives. For reusable plastic food packages, cups, trays, and utensils, this transition brings new operational requirements where the items need to be hygienically cleaned after every use, durable through repeated washing cycles, and efficiently dried to be quickly returned into the system.

This is where professional detergents and rinse aids, support, and proper instructions become essential.

Why reusable plastic is harder to dry

Compared to glass or steel, plastic surfaces often hold on to water droplets. Lightweight items can also sit in ways that trap water (for example in rims, corners and stacked pieces). The result is slower air-drying and more handling time.

Residual moisture can allow micro-organisms to multiply between wash and next use, especially if items are stored while still damp. Fast, complete drying is therefore part of a hygienic reuse process.

Practical ways to speed up drying

Drying performance is usually improved by a combination of correct loading, stable machine settings, and the right detergent and rinse aid.

1. Load for airflow. Avoid nesting and tight stacking. Place items so water can run off, and hot air can circulate.
2. Separate light plastics. Use racks/inserts that keep lightweight cups, lids and trays from flipping or pooling water.
3. Use a suitable rinse aid for plastics. A rinse aid reduces surface tension so water sheets off instead of forming droplets. This speeds up air-drying and reduces streaks.
4. Keep dosage and temperature stable. Too little (or too much) detergent or rinse aid, incorrect final rinse temperature, or unstable water conditions often show up as poor drying.
5. Maintain the machine. Clean nozzles and filters, descale when needed, and check that the drying zone/ventilation works as intended.
6. Let items dry completely before storing. Even clean items can become a hygiene risk if stored while damp.

Common signs that drying needs improvement

If your process is struggling, you often see one or more of the following:

• Visible droplets left on cups, lids or trays after the cycle
• Water collecting in corners, rims, or stacked items
• Need to towel-dry or wait long before storage/reuse
• Streaks or spots that reappear quickly after drying

How Kiilto supports hygienic, efficient drying

We help kitchens and professional dishwashing operations make reusable plasticware work in everyday routines by combining suitable dishwashing chemistry with clear instructions and process support. We provide:

• A suitable dishwashing detergent, e.g. Kiilto Pro MD 10+ Green, for effective removal of stubborn food residues and odours in one wash, reducing the need for rewashing and helping plasticware last longer. Suitable detergent can be selected based on the water conditions and complexing requirements.
• A rinse aid designed for plastic items, Kiilto Pro Rinse Extra, designed to solve the drying challenges of reusable plasticware, especially materials like polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polycarbonate (PC) that tend to retain moisture.
• Clear practical instructions for washing plasticware, the solution ensures efficient, hygienic and reliable reuse in everyday operations.

Summary

Fast, complete drying is key for both hygiene and efficiency when working with reusable plasticware. With correct loading, stable machine performance, and a rinse aid tailored for plastics, you can reduce residual moisture and get items back into circulation quicker.

If you want help optimizing your process for reusable plastics with detergent selection, rinse aid settings, or loading recommendations – contact us for tailored guidance.

FAQ

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¹How can we solve the plastic pollution crisis https://www.wri.org/insights/plastic-pollution-global-plastics-treaty-explained

²European Commission – Single-use plastics: new EU rules to reduce marine litter
 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/plastics/single-use-plastics_en