Pla Bioplastic 12 oz Cold Cups — Why the Material Matters
Plant-based bioplastic offers a true alternative to fossil-fuel polymers in single-use foodservice. That is the body of these 12 oz cold cups. There is no plastic film, no wax coating, and no PFAS — the unbleached fiber itself is dense enough to resist oil and grease, and to compost cleanly as a single material. The result is a foodservice container that does not compromise on heat, structure, or end-of-life recovery.
Each case ships 1000 units, with 30 cases per pallet for 30,000 units per pallet — sized for catering, school dining, hospital foodservice, hotel banquets, and operators transitioning out of foam.
Where this container earns its place on the line
- Catering and event foodservice — single-portion service for boxed lunches, banquet plating, or buffet line setup.
- Quick-service restaurants and cafes — single-portion entrées, sides, salads, fruit cups, parfaits.
- K-12 cafeterias and university dining — meets PFAS-free procurement requirements many state school systems now mandate.
- Hospital and senior-living foodservice — microwave-safe so kitchen staff can plate, deliver, and reheat in the same container.
- Meal-prep and ready-meal brands — freezer safe; meal-prep ready.
- Bakeries and delis — pastries, sandwiches, grab-and-go assemblies.
Five problems this SKU is engineered against
1. Foam container bans without a true replacement
Polystyrene foam was the workhorse of school cafeterias and quick-service venues for decades. Foam is now banned or restricted in 11 U.S. states and over 250 municipalities. Most “alternatives” are PE-coated paperboard (still plastic, still not compostable) or thicker plastic (still landfill). A plant-based compostable container is the only fully sustainable substitute that survives hot food.
2. Compost contamination at the back of house
Single-material recovery — fully compostable with no plastic film, no wax, and no PFAS to separate from the fiber.
3. Grease resistance without synthetic coatings
Unbleached plant fiber is naturally oil and grease resistant — the barrier is the fiber itself, not a synthetic coating that fails after 30 minutes on the line.
4. Procurement asking for documentation
Buyers with sustainability mandates need certificates: USDA Biobased, ASTM D-6400, FDA food contact, NSF Certified Compostable, TÜV AUSTRIA. All applicable certifications are listed below; lab/cert documents are available on request for B2B accounts.
5. PFAS food-packaging laws tightening every year
California AB 1200, AB 1201, New York’s Hazardous Packaging Act, and parallel laws in Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Hawaii ban intentionally added PFAS in food packaging. These do not contain added PFAS at any stage of manufacture.
Build, materials, and operator features
- Pla bioplastic construction — plant-based material chosen for this application.
- Hot food safe to 220°F — soups, stews, hot pastas, curries, casseroles, baked dishes.
- Oil and grease resistant — barrier is the natural fiber itself, no synthetic coating.
- Composts in 2–4 months in a commercial composting facility (industrial compostable).
- Case of 1000 — sized for catering, school dining, and operator-scale foodservice.
- Gluten-free and allergen-friendly material.
- Clean visual presentation for branded retail or foodservice.
Compliance, compostability, and food-contact certificates
- OK compost INDUSTRIAL (TÜV AUSTRIA) — disintegrates and biodegrades in a commercial composting facility within 12 weeks.
Product specifications
| Capacity | 12 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | Pla bioplastic |
| Color | Natural Fiber |
| Heat tolerance | Up to 220°F |
| Compost timeframe | 2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only |
| Quantity per case | 1000 |
| Cases per pallet | 30 (30,000 units per pallet) |
| Case weight | 27.0 lbs |
| SKU | SYR-CC-12-1000 |
Frequently asked questions
How many cold cups fit on a pallet?
Yes. They stack tightly when empty (1000 per case, 30 cases per pallet for 30,000 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.
Which state PFAS food-packaging laws do these cold cups satisfy?
Yes. Because no PFAS is intentionally added, they comply with California AB 1200 / AB 1201, New York’s Hazardous Packaging Act, and parallel laws in Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Hawaii. Lab test reports are available for B2B accounts on request.
What is the maximum hot-food temperature for this cold cup?
Yes. The body is rated for hot food up to 220°F. Hot pastas, curries, soups (with a lid), stews, and baked entrées hold without warping.
What’s the difference between fiber and PLA compostable foodservice containers?
PLA is a transparent bio-plastic made from corn or sugarcane starch — ideal for cold cups, dome lids, and clear merchandising. Plant fiber is an opaque molded material made from sugarcane bagasse — more rigid and far more heat-tolerant (220°F vs PLA’s 105°F softening point). For hot food and microwave use, fiber is the correct choice. For cold beverages and clear visibility, PLA is the better fit.
How long does the cold cup take to compost?
In a commercial composting facility (ASTM D-6400 conditions), it breaks down in 2 to 4 months. This product is industrial compostable only — it will not meaningfully break down in a backyard compost pile.
Can these cold cups be used in school cafeterias under sustainable-procurement rules?
Yes. They meet PFAS-free, biobased, and compostable procurement requirements many state school systems now mandate: no added PFAS, TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost INDUSTRIAL, USDA Biobased, ASTM D-6400, NSF Certified Compostable. Documentation is available on request.
