Eco-Friendly Food Containers

Food service companies haven taken to sourcing eco-friendly food packaging or "green" products for catered and social events. Platters, bowls and plates that are biodegradable and compostable are a great choice for these events because they make cleanup both easy and responsible.

Many meals-to-go and bulk food programs use a variety of containers and lids ranging from natural sugarcane, kraft recycled cardboard and polypropylene. Several of our eco-friendly food packaging styles come in a fashionable black color that makes food colors pop for extra eye appeal.

Clamshell and hinged containers are a popular choice for meals-to-go, pre-cut fruits and vegetables and other bulk foods like seeds and nuts. Many have traditional snap closures, but others have a tamper-evident closure that gives the customer confidence in the safety of the contents. Divided containers are well-liked for keeping different foods and sauces separated.

Cold cups are generally plastic or biodegradable paper and have lids that are solid or feature a straw slot. Hot cups for coffee and other hot beverages are paperboard construction and feature lids with a convenient sipping hole. Soup cups and other hot food containers can usually tolerate heat up to 212<special id="15"/> F.

Compostable cutlery made of Ingeo CPLA resists heat to 185<special id="15"/>F. Other styles of renewable utensils include natural pine and the very popular bamboo for an eco-friendly packaging solution. Most are available in bulk, as well as convenient wrapped sets that can include a napkin and salt and pepper.

Sandwich and salad containers come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, including paperboard, hinged lids, divided containers and paper sandwich sleeves for eating on the go. Many of the paperboard containers feature a clear plant-based film that allows the diner to view the contents quickly and easily.

Food cartons and meal boxes vary in size and design, from traditional barns and boxes to Chinese takeout containers. Some of the eco-friendly food packaging options feature convenient handles that make transporting easy. Others are divided to hold entrees and side dishes.

Deli bags consist of kraft paper bags and sleeves with film, as well as natural kraft deli paper and wrap. Some bags are insulated to help maintain the temperature of hot foods. These bags are also ventilated to release moisture and are grease resistant to reduce staining.

Specialty and Hors D'oeuvres containers include some really unique shapes and sizes. Small natural bamboo boats are very popular choices for catered events - especially outdoors. Cone basket liners for fried foods keep hands grease free and provide an eye-catching presentation. Unbleached small round baking cups are the perfect vessel for small bites.

Eco-friendly dispensers are just as important as the food containers themselves. Natural bamboo cup and lid organizers are available in freestanding models as well as revolving styles. Both hold plenty of supplies.

Your food comes from nature - why not the container? Ingeo natural resin, a plant-based, 100% renewable resource, is an eco-friendly food packaging alternative to OPS and PETE. It provides strength, high-gloss clarity and oil resistance. It also resists stress cracking, even in the freezer. Packaging made from crystal clear Ingeo natural resin is compostable in an industrial compost facility.

Made from FDA-compliant white or natural kraft paper, pre-filled toter bags encourage impulse purchases, especially of fresh fruit. Some printed banana or mushroom bags include convenient recipes for customers to make and enjoy. The construction includes recycled or recyclable fiber content. All inks and bag glue are biodegradable and water soluble. Toter bags are Cedar Grove certified for industrial composting facilities.

Produce containers are most often used to sell pre-cut fruits and vegetables. They are convenient for the grocery operator to stock and sell on refrigerated shelves, and convenient for the customer to open, re-close and store in their refrigerator. Other styles of produce containers include the pre-filled toter bag, which encourages impulse buys and provides handles for easy transport. Roll bags on freestanding or wall mount holders are placed at various spots, typically for holding greens and other produce that isn't prepackaged.

Available in a variety of styles and sizes, pizza boxes are plain white or imprinted with a logo or graphic, usually with a coated kraft interior. Pizza slice trays are most popular for use in concessions, where the clamshell wedge is usually used in single-slice carryout purposes. Boxes range from 10" small to 18" large pizzas. Many operators include a white "pizza saver", a small plastic raised disk, that keeps the pie from sticking to the lid.

Many restaurants and food retail operations offer hot foods to go in a variety of containers: food cartons, special grease-resistant bags, barns with carrying handles, hot soup cups, divided clamshell containers, paper food trays and more. All are designed to keep prepared foods hot and ready to eat and enjoy. Several of these containers make great choices for the customer to store leftovers.

Square or rectangular boxes usually feature a window so the staff and customers can easily view and identify the contents. Special triangular boxes carry single servings of pie that entice the customer who doesn't need a whole pie to grab one or two for dessert. Bread bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit baguettes, loaves, ciabatta and more. Muffin boxes often have a special insert to keep the muffin or cupcake from moving around in the box.

Carryout packaging is available in a variety of styles and materials designed to keep takeout foods hot and fresh. Snack boxes, barns and divided hinged containers are among the most popular. Concessions packaging, such as popcorn bags, French fry pails, hamburger clamshells and food trays are designed for immediate consumption of concession style foods. Kraft paper fry cones feature a fold-out sauce cup for ketchup and other dipping sauces.

Handled shopping bags in white or natural kraft are a customer favorite because of the carrying convenience of the handles. Customers are most likely to keep these bags for other uses. These handled bags also come in a variety of colors to differentiate a store or department. Traditional grocery bags are also available in natural kraft and white, with white adding perceived value to the contents. Colorful flat merchandise bags are generally used for smaller items like beauty products and toiletries.