16 oz PLA Lids Built for Real Foodservice Throughput
This is a working-kitchen container, not a marketing prop. 16 oz compostable PLA lids ship in B2B case quantities, reheat in the microwave without warping, freeze without embrittling, and hold hot food up to 220°F. They replace foam in school cafeterias, replace PE-coated paperboard in catering, and replace PFAS-treated fiber in any operation under California, New York, or Washington food-packaging law.
Outer dimensions are 5.9 × 4.8 × 2.8 in — sized to fit standard foodservice slots, delivery bags, and catering carts. Each case ships 900 units, 24 cases per pallet for 21,600 units per pallet.
Operators who switch to this SKU
- Operators displacing foam under city/state foam bans — drop-in replacement that survives hot food, unlike PE-coated paperboard.
- Sustainability-minded brands publishing impact reports — third-party-certified compostable, biobased, and PFAS-free for transparent claims.
- Buyers with multi-state operations — single SKU compliant across the patchwork of state food-packaging laws.
- Buyers under state PFAS bans — no added PFAS — meets California AB 1200, New York Hazardous Packaging Act, Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota laws.
- Operations on commercial composting programs — industrial compostable; integrates into the existing organics bin.
- Procurement teams scoring USDA Biobased preference — USDA Certified Biobased Product, eligible under federal BioPreferred procurement.
Operator pain points this product solves
1. 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.
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. Plastic-in-the-microwave concerns
Foodservice teams reheating prepared meals don’t want plastic film against hot food. This container is microwave-safe at reheat temperatures and has no film at all in the food path.
4. 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.
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.
What sets this product apart
- Pla bioplastic construction — plant-based material chosen for this application.
- Hot food safe to 220°F — soups, stews, hot pastas, curries, casseroles, baked dishes.
- Microwave safe — reheat directly without transferring; no plastic in the food path.
- Freezer safe — does not embrittle below 0°F; meal-prep ready.
- 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 900 — sized for catering, school dining, and operator-scale foodservice.
- Gluten-free and allergen-friendly material.
- Clean visual presentation for branded retail or foodservice.
Third-party certifications carried by this product
- OK compost INDUSTRIAL (TÜV AUSTRIA) — disintegrates and biodegrades in a commercial composting facility within 12 weeks.
- USDA Certified Biobased Product (U.S. Department of Agriculture) — verified renewable plant content; eligible under federal BioPreferred procurement programs.
- NSF Certified Compostable (NSF International) — independent third-party verification of compostability claims.
Specifications
| Capacity | 16 oz |
|---|---|
| Outer dimensions | 5.9 × 4.8 × 2.8 in (15.0 × 12.2 × 7.1 cm) |
| Material | Pla bioplastic |
| Color | Natural Fiber |
| Heat tolerance | Up to 220°F |
| Microwave / freezer | Both safe |
| Compost timeframe | 2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only |
| Quantity per case | 900 |
| Cases per pallet | 24 (21,600 units per pallet) |
| Case weight | 24.1 lbs |
| SKU | SYR-PLID-16-900 |
Questions operators ask before switching
What footprint does this PLA lid take on the prep line?
Outer dimensions are 5.9 × 4.8 × 2.8 in (15.0 × 12.2 × 7.1 cm). This footprint fits standard takeout bags, hot bags, delivery cubes, and most foodservice tray slots. Stack height in storage scales linearly with case quantity and shape.
Can I serve hot food directly in the PLA lid?
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.
Are these PLA lids stackable for storage and transport?
Yes. They stack tightly when empty (900 per case, 24 cases per pallet for 21,600 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.
Are these PLA lids compliant with state PFAS bans nationwide?
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.
Is this PLA lid safe to reheat in a commercial microwave?
Yes, the PLA lid is microwave safe at reheat temperatures. Reheat without transferring to another plate. Avoid using in conventional ovens above the rated heat tolerance or under broilers.
How fast do these PLA lids break down in commercial composting?
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.
Are these suitable for K-12 school lunch programs?
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.
