9x6x3″ 2-Compt Compostable Fiber Clamshells for Foodservice & Catering

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 fiber clamshell containers 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.

Standard capacity in a 9.0 × 6.0 × 3.0 in footprint — designed to hold an entrée portion, a sandwich plus garnish, a saucy side, or a parfait. Cases of 500 stack tightly in the back of house and travel cleanly in delivery bags.

Who these foodservice containers are designed for

• Hospital and senior-living foodservice — microwave-safe so kitchen staff can plate, deliver, and reheat in the same container.
• Hotels and corporate dining — clean visual presentation for breakfast assemblies, mid-meeting service, lunch buffets.
• Quick-service restaurants and cafes — single-portion entrées, sides, salads, fruit cups, parfaits.
• Catering and event foodservice — single-portion service for boxed lunches, banquet plating, or buffet line setup.
• Bakeries and delis — pastries, sandwiches, grab-and-go assemblies.
• K-12 cafeterias and university dining — meets PFAS-free procurement requirements many state school systems now mandate.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.
• Unbleached plant fiber body — denser than coated paperboard; holds shape under heavy or saucy meals.
• Hot food safe to 200°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 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.

Compostability and food-safety certifications

• 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.
• NSF Certified Compostable (NSF International) — independent third-party verification of compostability claims.

Dimensions and case data

Outer dimensions	9.0 × 6.0 × 3.0 in (22.9 × 15.2 × 7.6 cm)
Material	Plant fiber
Color	Natural Fiber
Heat tolerance	Up to 200°F
Microwave / freezer	Both safe
PFAS status	No added PFAS
Compost timeframe	2–4 months (commercial); ≤12 months (home)
Quantity per case	500
Cases per pallet	24 (12,000 units per pallet)
Case weight	39.7 lbs
SKU	SYR-FCS-500

Buyer FAQ

What is the maximum hot-food temperature for this fiber clamshell container?

Yes. The body is rated for hot food up to 200°F. Hot pastas, curries, soups (with a lid), stews, and baked entrées hold without warping.

Which lids fit this fiber clamshell container?

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.

How many fiber clamshell containers fit on a pallet?

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.

Which menu types work with this 2-compartment configuration?

This fiber clamshell container has 2 compartments — designed for plated foodservice with separated entrée, sides, and a small accompaniment. Typical use cases include school lunch programs (entrée + 2 sides), hospital trayed meals, airline-style catering, and bento-style takeout. Each compartment is sealed-bottom so there is no cross-contamination of dressings or sauces between sections.

What’s the difference between fiber and PLA compostable foodservice containers?

PLA is a transparent bio-plastic made from corn or sugarcane starch — ideal for cold cups, dome lids, and clear merchandising. Plant fiber is an opaque molded material made from sugarcane bagasse — more rigid and far more heat-tolerant (220°F vs PLA’s 105°F softening point). For hot food and microwave use, fiber is the correct choice. For cold beverages and clear visibility, PLA is the better fit.

Can these fiber clamshell containers be used in school cafeterias under sustainable-procurement rules?

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.

What are the exact dimensions of this fiber clamshell container?

Outer dimensions are 9.0 × 6.0 × 3.0 in (22.9 × 15.2 × 7.6 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.

How do I confirm the PFAS-free claim on these fiber clamshell containers?

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 long does the fiber clamshell container take to compost?

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.