18 oz Compostable Fiber Bowls — Microwave & Freezer Ready

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 18 oz compostable fiber bowls solve all three in a single SKU. Dense unbleached plant fiber is naturally oil and grease resistant — no synthetic coating, and the build is certified compostable end-to-end so there is no plastic to separate at the back of house.

Each case ships 400 units, with 45 cases per pallet for 18,000 units per pallet — sized for catering, school dining, hospital foodservice, hotel banquets, and operators transitioning out of foam.

Buyers and use cases this product fits

• Buyers under state PFAS bans — no added PFAS — meets California AB 1200, New York Hazardous Packaging Act, Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota laws.
• Operators displacing foam under city/state foam bans — drop-in replacement that survives hot food, unlike PE-coated paperboard.
• Procurement teams scoring USDA Biobased preference — USDA Certified Biobased Product, eligible under federal BioPreferred procurement.
• Sustainability-minded brands publishing impact reports — third-party-certified compostable, biobased, and PFAS-free for transparent claims.
• Operations on commercial composting programs — industrial compostable; integrates into the existing organics bin.
• Buyers with multi-state operations — single SKU compliant across the patchwork of state food-packaging laws.

What this container is built to replace

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. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Detailed product features

• No added PFAS — meets every U.S. state PFAS food-packaging law as of 2026.
• 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 — 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, ≤12 months in home compost.
• 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 HOME (TÜV AUSTRIA) — independently certified to break down in a backyard compost bin within 12 months.
• 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.

At-a-glance spec sheet

Capacity	18 oz
Material	Plant fiber
Color	Natural Fiber
Heat tolerance	Up to 220°F
Microwave / freezer	Both safe
PFAS status	No added PFAS
Compost timeframe	2–4 months (commercial); ≤12 months (home)
Quantity per case	400
Cases per pallet	45 (18,000 units per pallet)
Case weight	15.23 lbs
SKU	SYR-FB-18-400

Common questions from procurement and operations

Do these fiber bowls contain any added PFAS?

Yes. No PFAS chemicals are added at any stage of manufacturing. Grease and oil resistance comes from the unbleached plant fiber itself, not from PFAS coatings. 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.

How fast do these fiber bowls break down in commercial composting?

In a commercial composting facility (ASTM D-6400 conditions), it breaks down in 2 to 4 months. In a properly maintained home compost system (TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost HOME), it takes 6 to 12 months depending on temperature, moisture, and turning frequency.

Are these fiber bowls 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.

Are these fiber bowls stackable for storage and transport?

Yes. They stack tightly when empty (400 per case, 45 cases per pallet for 18,000 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.

What lid options work with this fiber bowl?

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 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, double TÜV compostability (HOME and INDUSTRIAL), USDA Biobased, ASTM D-6400, NSF Certified Compostable. Documentation is available on request.

Is this fiber bowl safe to reheat in a commercial microwave?

Yes, the fiber bowl 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.

Can I serve hot food directly in the fiber bowl?

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.