Plant-Fiber Fiber To-Go Boxes — Why the Material Matters
Sugarcane bagasse is the agricultural by-product left over after juice extraction — burning it pollutes, landfilling it wastes biomass, but molding it into food packaging captures that material as a renewable input. That is the body of these fiber to-go boxes. There is no plastic film, no wax coating, and no PFAS — the unbleached fiber itself is dense enough to resist oil and grease, and to compost cleanly as a single material. The result is a foodservice container that does not compromise on heat, structure, or end-of-life recovery.
The 8.8 × 6.9 × 0.5 in profile and case-sized 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.
Where this container earns its place on the line
- Dry-to-mildly-moist hot menu items — school lunch entrées, sandwiches, baked dishes, fries, pastries — the dense fiber holds without soaking.
- Bakery and deli grab-and-go — single-material recovery for compost-stream sorting.
- Operators on home-composting back-of-house — OK compost HOME certified for backyard or commercial composting.
- Catering with single-component plating — appetizers, sides, simple entrées.
- School and university foodservice — compostable end-to-end with no plastic or wax to separate.
- Cold and ambient menu items — fresh fruit, parfaits, salads without dressing, bakery and grab-and-go.
Five problems this SKU is engineered against
1. 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.
2. 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.
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. 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.
5. 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.
Build, materials, and operator features
- Unbleached plant fiber body — denser than coated paperboard; holds shape under heavy or saucy meals.
- 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 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.
Compliance, compostability, and food-contact certificates
- 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.
Product specifications
| Outer dimensions | 8.8 × 6.9 × 0.5 in (22.4 × 17.5 × 1.3 cm) |
|---|---|
| Material | Plant fiber |
| Color | Natural Fiber |
| Heat tolerance | Up to 120°F |
| Freezer safe | Yes |
| Compost timeframe | 2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only |
| Quantity per case | 400 |
| Cases per pallet | 20 (8,000 units per pallet) |
| Case weight | 15.3 lbs |
| SKU | SYR-FTB-400 |
Frequently asked questions
Does this fiber to-go box 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.
What is the case and pallet configuration for these fiber to-go boxes?
Yes. They stack tightly when empty (400 per case, 20 cases per pallet for 8,000 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.
Do these fiber to-go boxes 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.
How big is the fiber to-go box — will it fit in a standard takeout bag?
Outer dimensions are 8.8 × 6.9 × 0.5 in (22.4 × 17.5 × 1.3 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.
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.
Do you sell matching lids for these fiber to-go boxes?
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.
What is the composting timeline for these fiber to-go boxes?
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.
