Sustainable 4 oz Food Containers — Kraft Paper for Foodservice & Catering

Plant-based bioplastic offers a true alternative to fossil-fuel polymers in single-use foodservice. That is the body of these 4 oz food containers. 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.

Each case ships 1000 units, with 54 cases per pallet for 54,000 units per pallet — sized for catering, school dining, hospital foodservice, hotel banquets, and operators transitioning out of foam.

Where this container earns its place on the line

• Quick-service restaurants and cafes — single-portion entrées, sides, salads, fruit cups, parfaits.
• Meal-prep and ready-meal brands — freezer safe; meal-prep ready.
• Bakeries and delis — pastries, sandwiches, grab-and-go assemblies.
• Hospital and senior-living foodservice — microwave-safe so kitchen staff can plate, deliver, and reheat in the same container.
• Catering and event foodservice — single-portion service for boxed lunches, banquet plating, or buffet line setup.
• Hotels and corporate dining — clean visual presentation for breakfast assemblies, mid-meeting service, lunch buffets.

Five problems this SKU is engineered against

1. 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.

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. 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.

4. Plastic-in-the-microwave concerns

Foodservice teams reheating prepared meals don’t want plastic film against hot food. This container is microwave-safe at reheat temperatures and plant-based PLA replaces conventional PE film for the grease barrier.

5. 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.

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.
• Microwave safe at reheat temperatures — reheat without transferring.
• 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 1000 — 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.
• 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.

Product specifications

Capacity	4 oz
Material	Kraft paper, with PLA bioplastic lining
Color	Natural Fiber
Heat tolerance	Up to 220°F
Microwave / freezer	Both safe
PFAS status	No added PFAS
Lining	PLA bioplastic film
Compost timeframe	2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only
Quantity per case	1000
Cases per pallet	54 (54,000 units per pallet)
Case weight	9.96 lbs
SKU	SYR-GENERIC-4L-1000

Frequently asked questions

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

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.

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.

How long does the food container take to compost?

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.

Which lids fit this food 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 do I confirm the PFAS-free claim on these food containers?

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.

Will the food container survive reheating in the microwave on the line?

Yes, the food container is microwave safe at reheat temperatures. Reheat without transferring to another plate. Avoid using in conventional ovens above the rated heat tolerance or under broilers.

Can I home compost the PLA-lined food container?

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.

Which state PFAS food-packaging laws do these food containers satisfy?

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.

Can these food 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, TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost INDUSTRIAL, USDA Biobased, ASTM D-6400, NSF Certified Compostable. Documentation is available on request.