Compostable 17 oz PLA-Lined Fiber Trays 8×6″ for Schools, Cafeterias & Catering

Foodservice operators in 2026 are working through three converging pressures at once: state-level PFAS bans, foam-container bans, and procurement teams asking for verifiable sustainability documentation. These 17 oz PLA-lined compostable fiber lunch trays solve all three in a single SKU. A plant-based PLA bioplastic film provides the grease and liquid barrier, and the build is certified compostable end-to-end so there is no plastic to separate at the back of house.

The 8.0 × 6.0 × 1.5 in profile and 17 oz capacity fit single-portion entrées, sides, salads, parfaits, and school-lunch components. The case of 400 is sized for catering, school dining, hospital foodservice, hotel banquets, and operators transitioning out of foam.

Buyers and use cases this product fits

• 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.
• Hospital and senior-living trayed meals — reheat-in-place for soft, saucy, or moisture-rich dishes.
• Ghost kitchens and delivery brands — 30-minute travel without bottom failure on saucy plates.
• Dressed salads and grain bowls — the lining contains dressing migration during transport.

What this container is built to replace

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Multi-state compliance complexity

Operators running locations across 6+ states cannot stock a different SKU per jurisdiction. This product clears the strictest of the state PFAS and biobased food-packaging rules currently in force, so a single SKU works in California, New York, Washington, and any state that follows.

5. 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.

Detailed product features

• 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 400 — 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.

Independent certifications and food-safety standards

• 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.

At-a-glance spec sheet

Capacity	17 oz
Outer dimensions	8.0 × 6.0 × 1.5 in (20.3 × 15.2 × 3.8 cm)
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	400
Cases per pallet	60 (24,000 units per pallet)
Case weight	21.0 lbs
SKU	SYR-FT-17L-400

Common questions from procurement and operations

Are these fiber lunch trays 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.

Does this fiber lunch tray 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.

Can I microwave food in the fiber lunch tray?

Yes, the fiber lunch tray 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 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.

What is the composting timeline for these fiber lunch trays?

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.

How big is the fiber lunch tray — will it fit in a standard takeout bag?

Outer dimensions are 8.0 × 6.0 × 1.5 in (20.3 × 15.2 × 3.8 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.

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.

What is the case and pallet configuration for these fiber lunch trays?

Yes. They stack tightly when empty (400 per case, 60 cases per pallet for 24,000 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.

Do these fiber lunch trays 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.