Compostable Paper Catering Tray Sleeves for Half-Size Fiber Catering Trays

This is a working-kitchen container, not a marketing prop. PLA-lined compostable fiber catering trays ship in B2B case quantities, 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 400 units, with 285 cases per pallet for 114,000 units per pallet — sized for catering, school dining, hospital foodservice, hotel banquets, and operators transitioning out of foam.

Operators who switch to this SKU

• Operators displacing foam under city/state foam bans — drop-in replacement that survives hot food, unlike PE-coated paperboard.
• 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.
• Buyers under state PFAS bans — no added PFAS — meets California AB 1200, New York Hazardous Packaging Act, Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota laws.
• Sustainability-minded brands publishing impact reports — third-party-certified compostable, biobased, and PFAS-free for transparent claims.
• Procurement teams scoring USDA Biobased preference — USDA Certified Biobased Product, eligible under federal BioPreferred procurement.

Operator pain points this product solves

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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. 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.

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.
• Kraft paper construction — plant-based material chosen for this application.
• Hot food safe to 220°F — soups, stews, hot pastas, curries, casseroles, baked dishes.
• 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.
• 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.

Specifications

Material	Kraft paper, with PLA bioplastic lining
Color	Natural Fiber
Heat tolerance	Up to 220°F
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	285 (114,000 units per pallet)
Case weight	15.43 lbs
SKU	SYR-FCT-400

Questions operators ask before switching

Is this fiber catering tray home compostable, or industrial only?

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 these fiber catering trays contain any added PFAS?

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.

How fast do these fiber catering trays 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 fiber catering trays stackable for storage and transport?

Yes. They stack tightly when empty (400 per case, 285 cases per pallet for 114,000 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.

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.

Are these fiber catering trays 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.

What lid options work with this fiber catering tray?

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.

Can I serve hot food directly in the fiber catering tray?

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.