Compostable 16 oz White Paper Bowls for Foodservice & Catering

This is a working-kitchen container, not a marketing prop. 16 oz PLA-lined compostable food containers 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.

Each case ships 500 units, with 24 cases per pallet for 12,000 units per pallet — sized for catering, school dining, hospital foodservice, hotel banquets, and operators transitioning out of foam.

Operators who switch to this SKU

• Ghost kitchens and delivery brands — 30-minute travel without bottom failure on saucy plates.
• Hospital and senior-living trayed meals — reheat-in-place for soft, saucy, or moisture-rich dishes.
• Dressed salads and grain bowls — the lining contains dressing migration during transport.
• Saucy hot menu items — pasta in sauce, curries, gravy-rich plates, BBQ, stew — the PLA film stops soak-through.
• Catering with mixed wet and dry components — single tray for entrée plus side without compromise.
• Frozen meal-prep with sauces — freezer-safe lining survives cold storage and thaw.

Operator pain points this product solves

1. 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.

2. Soak-through on saucy or wet menu items

The PLA film on the inside surface stops liquid migration so the bottom stays dry through service, transport, and reheat — for sauced pasta, curries, BBQ, dressed salads, and stew.

3. Compost contamination at the back of house

Both the fiber body and the PLA lining are certified industrial compostable — the container composts as a single unit, no separation required at end of life.

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. 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 plant-based PLA replaces conventional PE film for the grease barrier.

What sets this product apart

• No added PFAS — meets every U.S. state PFAS food-packaging law as of 2026.
• PLA bioplastic lining — plant-based film bonded to the food contact surface for grease and liquid barrier.
• Unbleached plant fiber body — denser than coated paperboard; holds shape under heavy or saucy meals.
• Hot food safe to 220°F — soups, stews, hot pastas, curries, casseroles, baked dishes.
• Microwave safe at reheat temperatures — reheat without transferring.
• Freezer safe — does not embrittle below 0°F; meal-prep ready.
• Liquid and grease resistant — PLA film barrier on top of naturally oil-resistant fiber.
• Composts in 2–4 months in a commercial composting facility (industrial compostable).
• Case of 500 — sized for catering, school dining, and operator-scale foodservice.
• Gluten-free and allergen-friendly material.
• Unbleached natural fiber color — pairs with any branded sticker, ribbon, or sleeve.

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.
• ASTM D-6400 (ASTM International) — meets the U.S. industry standard for industrial compostability.
• FDA Food Contact Compliant (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) — conforms to U.S. Code of Federal Regulations for direct food contact.
• NSF Certified Compostable (NSF International) — independent third-party verification of compostability claims.
• BPI Certified Compostable (Biodegradable Products Institute) — third-party industrial compostability certification.

Specifications

Capacity	16 oz
Material	Plant fiber, with PLA bioplastic lining
Color	Natural Fiber
Heat tolerance	Up to 220°F
Microwave / freezer	Both safe
PFAS status	No added PFAS
Lining	PLA bioplastic film
Compost timeframe	2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only
Quantity per case	500
Cases per pallet	24 (12,000 units per pallet)
Case weight	17.0 lbs
SKU	SYR-GENERIC-16L-500

Questions operators ask before switching

Can I microwave food in the food container?

Yes, the food container 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.

Do these food containers qualify for school district biobased and PFAS-free procurement requirements?

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.

Will the PLA lining break down in a backyard compost pile?

No. PLA bioplastic requires the higher temperatures and microbial activity of a commercial composting facility (ASTM D-6400 / TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost INDUSTRIAL conditions). It will not break down meaningfully in a backyard compost pile. For home-compostable options, choose the unlined fiber version.

Do you sell matching lids for these food containers?

Three lid options typically fit foodservice containers in this size range: clear PLA dome lids for visible merchandising of salads, parfaits, and bakery; clear PLA flat lids for stackable delivery; and matching plant-fiber lids for opaque, plant-based compostable closure. Lids are sold separately by the case — pair by capacity and footprint.

Are these food containers really PFAS-free?

Yes. No PFAS chemicals are added at any stage of manufacturing. The grease and liquid barrier is the PLA bioplastic film plus naturally oil-resistant fiber, not PFAS chemistry. They meet PFAS-restriction laws in California, New York, Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Hawaii, and other states banning intentionally-added PFAS in food packaging. Lab test reports are available on request for B2B accounts.

What is the composting timeline for these food containers?

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.

What is the case and pallet configuration for these food containers?

Yes. They stack tightly when empty (500 per case, 24 cases per pallet for 12,000 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.

Does this food container hold up under saucy or steaming hot dishes?

Yes. The body is rated for hot food up to 220°F. The PLA lining is stable up to that temperature in food contact. Hot pastas, curries, soups (with a lid), stews, and baked entrées hold without warping.

Do these meet California AB 1200 and New York PFAS food packaging regulations?

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.