Kraft Paper Fiber Lunch Trays — Why the Material Matters
Plant-based bioplastic offers a true alternative to fossil-fuel polymers in single-use foodservice. That is the body of these fiber lunch trays. The interior is lined with a thin PLA bioplastic film — itself plant-based, made from corn or sugarcane starch — to provide a grease and liquid barrier without resorting to PFAS chemistry. The result is a foodservice container that does not compromise on heat, structure, or end-of-life recovery.
Outer dimensions are 10.0 × 7.5 × 1.5 in — sized to fit standard foodservice slots, delivery bags, and catering carts. Each case ships 800 units, 340 cases per pallet for 272,000 units per pallet.
Where this container earns its place on the line
- 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.
- Procurement teams scoring USDA Biobased preference — USDA Certified Biobased Product, eligible under federal BioPreferred procurement.
- Operators displacing foam under city/state foam bans — drop-in replacement that survives hot food, unlike PE-coated paperboard.
- Buyers under state PFAS bans — no added PFAS — meets California AB 1200, New York Hazardous Packaging Act, Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota laws.
- Buyers with multi-state operations — single SKU compliant across the patchwork of state food-packaging laws.
Five problems this SKU is engineered against
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. 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.
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
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.
Build, materials, and operator features
- 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 800 — sized for catering, school dining, and operator-scale foodservice.
- Gluten-free and allergen-friendly material.
- Clean visual presentation for branded retail or foodservice.
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 | 10.0 × 7.5 × 1.5 in (25.4 × 19.1 × 3.8 cm) |
|---|---|
| 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 | 800 |
| Cases per pallet | 340 (272,000 units per pallet) |
| Case weight | 13.23 lbs |
| SKU | SYR-FT-800 |
Frequently asked questions
Do these fiber lunch 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.
Is this fiber lunch 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.
Can I serve hot food directly in the fiber lunch 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.
Are these fiber lunch trays stackable for storage and transport?
Yes. They stack tightly when empty (800 per case, 340 cases per pallet for 272,000 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.
What lid options work with this fiber lunch 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.
Are these fiber lunch 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.
How fast do these fiber lunch 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.
What footprint does this fiber lunch tray take on the prep line?
Outer dimensions are 10.0 × 7.5 × 1.5 in (25.4 × 19.1 × 3.8 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.
