Poolside Cups

Read more about our materials

Stainless Steel Lunch Box with heat safe insert - Mimosa EKOBO

About Food-Grade Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a durable material widely used for food containers due to its strength and long lifespan. EKOBO uses high-quality, food-grade stainless steel in products designed for repeated daily use, including lunch boxes and food storage, such as this stainless steel lunch box.

It is naturally BPA-free and suitable for direct food contact, making it a reliable alternative to plastic for both home and travel. Its sturdiness and impact resistance make it especially practical for outdoor dining and on-the-go use.

Food‑grade stainless steel is prized in kitchenware and food contact applications because its smooth, non‑porous surface helps reduce bacterial buildup and makes cleaning easier, contributing to safe everyday use. Research on food contact materials highlights that stainless steel resists corrosion and does not react with acidic or alkaline foods, helping preserve taste and quality over time (see food contact materials overview). These properties make it a trusted choice for family meals, travel, and outdoor dining

About Bamboo Fiber BIOBU® Eco-Composite

Bamboo Fiber BIOBU® is our signature eco-composite blends made from responsibly sourced bamboo waste 50% and a safe, 50% food-grade binder. This combination makes our products strong, long-lasting and completely safe for everyday use - no varnish, no coatings, no fading, and no harmful chemicals.

Unlike many bamboo fibre products on the market, BIOBU® is produced using a strict, high-quality thermopress process, ensuring stability, durability and top safety standards. All products are BPA-free, PVC-free, Phthalate-free, Asbestos-free and fully tested to global food-safety regulations.

We chose bamboo because it is one of the most renewable resources on our planet. It requires no fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide. Our bamboo is collected as sawdust waste from selected bamboo chopstick factories. Our items are reusable, dishwasher-safe, and a sustainable alternative to fragile or disposable plastics.

EKOBO STORY

WE DESIGN TO DO BETTER WITH LESS.

Founded in 2003 by Bruno and Boo Louis, EKOBO began as a family-driven project rooted in thoughtful design and daily use. Over more than 20 years, the brand has grown alongside our children, shaping products for meals, travel and developing products together.

From the beginning, our approach was simple: create functional, well-made pieces using carefully selected materials - bamboo, cork, rePET, silicone, and organic cotton - with a focus on durability and reducing unnecessary waste.

Each collection reflects a "less is more" philosophy, where form, function and material are considered equally. Today, EKOBO is an international brand with 500+ designs, present in the United States, Europe, and Asia - made for modern family life.

Read Our Story

Why choose cups made for the pool?

Pool-friendly mindset: Many pool environments discourage glass due to safety risks. Choosing reusable cups helps keep poolside spaces simpler and safer.
Made for repeat use: A reusable cup routine reduces reliance on single-use drinkware for outdoor days.
Easy to match: Build a coordinated set across colours (Black, Stone, Off White, Smoke, Spice, Blush, Persimmon, Lemon, Lagoon, Cloud and more).

Background reading: broken glass around pools is treated as a serious safety issue in pool risk guidance (Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group).

Materials & what’s in this collection

This page features Poolside Cup sets (including small and medium cup sets, plus illustrated sets), across materials such as bamboo fibre and Tritan, with select complementary drinkware options available in matching colour stories.

Reuse as a simple habit

Swapping disposables for reusable cups is one of the most practical ways to reduce waste at the source. The U.S. EPA highlights that the most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it — including choosing reusable dishes and drinkware. Read EPA guidance.

Care notes

Check the care instructions on each product page for best results.
If BPA is a concern in food-contact materials, the U.S. FDA provides consumer information and context here: FDA: BPA in food-contact applications.

Explore more outdoor essentials here: Outdoor: Picnic & Day-Out Essentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the disadvantages / limitations of bamboo fiber?

Bamboo fiber must be distinguished from
natural bamboo. Natural bamboo products are often disposable and
moisture-sensitive. Bamboo fiber eco-composites are durable and reusable but
are not designed for cooking, microwaves, or ovens. They have defined heat
limits and are not home-compostable due to the food-safe binder required for
long-term reuse. These are material limitations, not safety defects.

What are the disadvantages of bamboo cutlery?

Natural bamboo cutlery is often disposable and lightweight. Bamboo fiber cutlery is reusable and more durable but not suitable for cooking, less impact-resistant than stainless steel, and intended for eating and serving rather than high-heat tasks.

Why can’t you put bamboo plates in the microwave?

Both natural bamboo and bamboo fiber eco-composites are unsuitable for microwaves. Microwaves create uneven internal heat that can exceed the thermal limits of bamboo fiber composites over time. Bamboo plates are designed for serving food, not reheating or cooking, similar to melamine, many plastics, and some ceramics.

Why can’t bamboo go in the dishwasher?

Natural bamboo products generally cannot go in the dishwasher because prolonged heat, moisture, and detergents degrade untreated fibers. Bamboo fiber eco-composites are engineered differently. EKOBO’s bamboo fiber products are dishwasher safe (top rack), which differentiates them from many generic bamboo items.

Is EKOBO safe?

Yes. EKOBO products are made from bamboo fiber eco-composites, not raw natural bamboo. They are BPA-free, PVC-free, and phthalate-free, tested for food-contact safety, and designed for hot and cold foods and liquids, though not for cooking.

Is EKOBO dishwasher safe?

Yes. Unlike many natural bamboo products, EKOBO’s bamboo fiber eco-composites are dishwasher safe (top rack) due to their engineered formulation.

Are bamboo cups reusable?

Natural bamboo cups are often disposable. Bamboo fiber cups are designed for daily reuse and long-term durability, replacing disposable cups.

Which country is famous for bamboo products?

China is widely known for bamboo products due to centuries of cultivation, craftsmanship, and large-scale processing expertise in both natural bamboo and bamboo fiber materials.

Which country is the largest producer of bamboo?

China is the world’s largest producer of bamboo, supplying the majority of global bamboo used for both natural bamboo goods and bamboo fiber processing.