Eco Friendly Packaging for Food: Café Questions Answered
Eco friendly packaging for food, in practical terms, means choosing items by what they are made of: sugarcane, PLA-lined or aqueous-coated paper, kraft paper and corrugated board instead of foam or plastic. Packery sells each of these by the carton, with the carton price and the price per item shown on every product page.
Key takeaways
- Pick packaging by material first: sugarcane, PLA-coated paper, aqueous-coated paper, kraft paper, recycled paper or corrugated board.
- Per-item prices in this guide run from $0.02 each for the Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) and $0.06 each for 2oz sugarcane cups, up to $1.51 each for large corrugated catering trays.
- None of the items in this guide are named compostable, so we describe them by material rather than make that claim.
- There is no minimum order, all orders are prepaid online and prices include GST.
What counts as eco friendly food packaging for a café?
What materials should I be looking at?
Look at the material line on each product, not the marketing. The range in this guide covers sugarcane, paper with a PLA coating, paper with an aqueous coating, plain paper, recycled paper and corrugated board. Sugarcane packaging is moulded from bagasse, the fibre left over after sugarcane is pressed.
Is sugarcane packaging the same as compostable packaging?
No, not automatically. Sugarcane describes the material; "compostable" is a separate claim, and we only use it when it is in the product name. The 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell (Carton of 200) is listed as sugarcane in a natural colour, so that is how we describe it. For products that are named as compostable, see our guide to compostable takeaway containers.
What is the difference between PLA-lined and aqueous-coated cups?
Both are paper cups with a coating on the inside; the coating is what differs. The 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm (Carton of 1000) is paper with a PLA coating in brown kraft, while the 8oz Aqueous Coated Coffee Cups – Double Wall Art Print (Carton of 500) is paper with an aqueous coating and a multi-colour art print.
Which eco friendly containers suit takeaway meals?
What should I use for burgers, sandwiches and hot meals?
A clamshell or snack box is the usual answer. The sugarcane clamshell measures 229x152x75mm and costs $34.85 per carton of 200, or $0.17 each. If you want a paper-based option you can brand, the Corrugated Takeaway Container – Brown Snack Box Large Plain (Carton of 200) is corrugated board, 205x106x76mm, and can be custom printed.
What about noodles, rice and salads?
Paper noodle boxes and lunch boxes with a PLA coating cover most of these. The 32oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box (Carton of 500) is $185.23 per carton, or $0.37 each, and the 8oz version comes in cartons of 1000 at $0.16 each. For larger meals, the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large (Carton of 200) measures 197x140x90mm and is available with custom print.
Do you have small pots for sauces and sides?
Yes. The 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached (Carton of 2000) is sugarcane in a natural colour, at $128.23 per carton, or $0.06 each. Browse the full range of takeaway containers for other sizes.
How do the prices compare?
Every product is sold by the carton, and each page shows both the carton price and the price per item. Here is the range covered in this guide:
| Product | Size / material | Carton qty | Carton price | Price per item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached | 2oz / Sugarcane | 2000 | $128.23 | $0.06 |
| 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell | 229x152x75mm / Sugarcane | 200 | $34.85 | $0.17 |
| 8oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box | 8oz / Paper + PLA Coated | 1000 | $156.73 | $0.16 |
| 32oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box | 32oz / Paper + PLA Coated | 500 | $185.23 | $0.37 |
| PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large | 197x140x90mm / Paper + PLA Coated | 200 | $136.78 | $0.68 |
| Corrugated Takeaway Container – Brown Snack Box Large Plain | 205x106x76mm / Corrugated | 200 | $73.10 | $0.37 |
| 8oz Aqueous Coated Coffee Cups – Double Wall Art Print | 8oz / Paper + Aqueous Coated | 500 | $51.00 | $0.10 |
| 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm | 12oz / Paper + PLA Coated | 1000 | $159.57 | $0.16 |
| Kraft Bag – Brown Twisted Handle Takeaway Medium | 305x305x175mm / Recycled Paper | 250 | $82.95 | $0.33 |
| Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham | 190x300mm / Paper | 200 | $13.53 | $0.07 |
Are paper bags and wraps part of an eco friendly setup?
They are usually the easiest switch. The twisted-handle kraft bag is made from recycled paper, and the greaseproof paper sheets come in two sizes, 190x300mm and 400x330mm, in yellow gingham.
Is this packaging recyclable?
The product listings in this guide do not state recyclability, so we do not claim it for any item. What the listings do show is material: the Kraft Bag – Brown Twisted Handle Takeaway Medium (Carton of 250) is made from recycled paper, and the snack box and catering trays are corrugated board. What your bin service accepts varies by council, so check locally before you promise customers an item can go in the recycling.
What about cutlery and napkins?
The Kraft Cutlery pouches come with either a white napkin or a bamboo napkin, in cartons of 1000 at $143.72 per carton, or $0.14 each. The pouch itself is paper, and it can be custom printed.
Which one should I buy?
I run a small café doing coffee and a few takeaway lunches. Where do I start?
Start with cups and one container. The 8oz aqueous-coated double wall cup at $0.10 each and the 12oz kraft PLA-lined cup at $0.16 each cover most coffee orders. Add the extra large PLA-coated lunch box for salads and hot meals, and 2oz sugarcane cups for sauces.
I run a burger or fish and chip shop. What fits?
Use the sugarcane clamshell for burgers and the corrugated snack box for chips and sides, with greaseproof paper as a liner or wrap. The large yellow gingham sheets are $27.93 per carton of 200, or $0.14 each.
I cater events. What do I need?
Corrugated catering trays with high sides, measuring 560x255x80mm, come in brown or black in cartons of 50. Brown is $69.81 per carton, or $1.40 each; black is $75.60 per carton, or $1.51 each. Pair them with cutlery pouches and twisted-handle kraft bags. If you are comparing sugarcane with other materials for events, our guide to biodegradable takeaway food containers covers that side.
Can I put my logo on it?
Yes, on selected products. Of the items in this guide, the lunch box, the 12oz kraft cup, the corrugated snack box, the cutlery pouches, the flat kraft bag and the catering trays can be printed. See custom printing for how it works.
How does ordering and delivery work?
There is no minimum order, so you can buy a single carton to trial a material before you switch your whole range. Metro delivery is $35 flat and free on orders over $750; regional delivery is $75 flat and free over $1,000. Delivery takes 3–5 business days to capital cities and 4–6 business days to regional areas. All orders are prepaid online and prices include GST. Unopened full cartons can be returned within 14 days of delivery (you pay return freight), and damaged or faulty items are replaced or refunded free. If you already know what you need, use quick order to add cartons by product.
Setting up or restocking your packaging?
Send us your list for a trade quote, or price it yourself in the cost calculator.
No minimum order · free delivery over $750 (metro) / $1000 (regional) · 14-day returns · Delivery details
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