Why 9 oz Cold Cups Beat Foam, PE-Coated Paperboard, and PFAS Fiber
If you are switching out of polystyrene foam in 2026, the realistic alternatives narrow quickly. PE-coated paperboard is still plastic and still not compostable. Thicker rPET trays land in the recycling stream — when they land in the right stream at all. PFAS-treated fiber is grease-resistant but blocked under California AB 1200 and parallel state laws. These 9 oz cold cups are the option that survives hot food, meets PFAS-free procurement rules, and composts in commercial facilities — the practical replacement most operators end up at after running the analysis.
Each case ships 1000 units, with 48 cases per pallet for 48,000 units per pallet — sized for catering, school dining, hospital foodservice, hotel banquets, and operators transitioning out of foam.
Who these foodservice containers are designed for
- School and university foodservice — compostable end-to-end with no plastic or wax to separate.
- Catering with single-component plating — appetizers, sides, simple entrées.
- Cold and ambient menu items — fresh fruit, parfaits, salads without dressing, bakery and grab-and-go.
- Bakery and deli grab-and-go — single-material recovery for compost-stream sorting.
- Dry-to-mildly-moist hot menu items — school lunch entrées, sandwiches, baked dishes, fries, pastries — the dense fiber holds without soaking.
- Operators on home-composting back-of-house — OK compost HOME certified for backyard or commercial composting.
Procurement and kitchen-floor headaches this fixes
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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Foodservice-grade features at a glance
- No added PFAS — meets every U.S. state PFAS food-packaging law as of 2026.
- Pla bioplastic construction — plant-based material chosen for this application.
- Hot food safe to 120°F — soups, stews, hot pastas, curries, casseroles, baked dishes.
- 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 1000 — sized for catering, school dining, and operator-scale foodservice.
- Gluten-free and allergen-friendly material.
- Clean visual presentation for branded retail or foodservice.
Compostability and food-safety certifications
- 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.
Dimensions and case data
| Capacity | 9 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | Pla bioplastic |
| Color | Natural Fiber |
| Heat tolerance | Up to 120°F |
| Freezer safe | Yes |
| PFAS status | No added PFAS |
| Compost timeframe | 2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only |
| Quantity per case | 1000 |
| Cases per pallet | 48 (48,000 units per pallet) |
| Case weight | 5.29 lbs |
| SKU | SYR-CC-9-1000 |
Buyer FAQ
What is the composting timeline for these cold cups?
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.
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.
Does this cold cup hold up under saucy or steaming hot dishes?
Yes. The body is rated for hot food up to 120°F. Hot pastas, curries, soups (with a lid), stews, and baked entrées hold without warping.
Are these cold cups really PFAS-free?
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.
What is the case and pallet configuration for these cold cups?
Yes. They stack tightly when empty (1000 per case, 48 cases per pallet for 48,000 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.
Do these cold cups 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.
