12 oz Hot Cups Built for Real Foodservice Throughput
This is a working-kitchen container, not a marketing prop. 12 oz PLA-lined compostable hot cups ship in B2B case quantities, freeze without embrittling, and hold hot food up to 200°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 500 units, with 16 cases per pallet for 8,000 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 200°F — soups, stews, hot pastas, curries, casseroles, baked dishes.
- Freezer safe — does not embrittle below 0°F; meal-prep ready.
- 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 500 — 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
| Capacity | 12 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | Kraft paper, with PLA bioplastic lining |
| Color | Natural Fiber |
| Heat tolerance | Up to 200°F |
| Freezer safe | Yes |
| PFAS status | No added PFAS |
| Lining | PLA bioplastic film |
| Compost timeframe | 2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only |
| Quantity per case | 500 |
| Cases per pallet | 16 (8,000 units per pallet) |
| Case weight | 20.95 lbs |
| SKU | SYR-HC-12L-500 |
Questions operators ask before switching
Are these hot cups 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.
Do these hot cups 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 hot cups 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 hot cups stackable for storage and transport?
Yes. They stack tightly when empty (500 per case, 16 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.
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.
Can I serve hot food directly in the hot cup?
Yes. The body is rated for hot food up to 200°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.
Is this hot cup 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.
