Eco Friendly Packaging Options for Cafes, Markets and Events

For cafes, market stalls, festivals and event catering, the most practical eco-friendly packaging options are sugarcane clamshells and serving cups, PLA-lined paper noodle boxes and lunch boxes, corrugated snack boxes and catering trays, kraft paper bags and kraft cutlery pouches. Packery sells each one by the carton, and every product page shows the carton price and the price per item, so you can cost a cafe or stall menu before you order.

Key takeaways

• Pick packaging by material: sugarcane, PLA-lined paper, aqueous-coated paper, corrugated and kraft paper each suit different stall foods.
• The 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell (Carton of 200) is $37.40 per carton, or $0.19 each.
• Corrugated catering trays suit grazing platters and event catering drop-offs.
• There is no minimum order, all orders are prepaid online.
• Custom printing with your logo is available on selected products.

What are the main eco-friendly packaging materials?

The main eco-friendly packaging materials for food are sugarcane (bagasse), PLA-lined paper, aqueous-coated paper, corrugated board and kraft paper. Choose the one that suits the food you serve, whether you run a cafe counter, a market stall or a festival van. Sugarcane suits meals, snacks and sauces, PLA-lined paper suits noodles, rice and saucy dishes, and corrugated board suits loaded fries, snacks and shared platters.

Bagasse, the sugarcane material, is made from the fibre left over after sugarcane is crushed. PLA is a plant-based lining applied to paper. Corrugated board and kraft paper are paper products. When customers or organisers ask, name the material rather than making broad green claims.

Which containers suit hot food at food stalls?

For burgers, wraps, dumplings and hot mains, a clamshell is the simplest choice because the lid is attached and there is nothing to lose in a crowd. The 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell (Carton of 200) measures 229x152x75mm, is natural in colour and costs $0.19 each.

For noodles, curries, rice bowls and anything with sauce, a noodle box holds the food upright and is easy to eat from while standing. The 8oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box (Carton of 1000) works for tasting serves at $0.12 each, while the 32oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box (Carton of 500) suits a full meal at $0.28 each. Both are brown paper with a PLA coating.

For bigger serves, the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large (Carton of 200) measures 197x140x90mm and costs $0.58 each. It can be custom printed.

What should I use for snacks, sides and samples?

Use a corrugated snack box for chips, churros and fried sides, and small sugarcane cups for samples and sauces. The Corrugated Takeaway Container – Brown Snack Box Large Plain (Carton of 200) measures 205x106x76mm and costs $0.20 each, and it can be custom printed.

For tasting portions, dips and condiments, the 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached (Carton of 2000) costs $0.04 each.

Line baskets and boxes with greaseproof paper to keep fried food from soaking through. Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham (Carton of 200) is 190x300mm at $0.03 per sheet, and Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham Large (Carton of 200) is 400x330mm at $0.12 per sheet for larger serves and platters.

Which coffee cups suit an event coffee cart?

A double wall cup suits events where customers carry coffee around a site, because they can hold it without a sleeve. The 8oz Aqueous Coated Coffee Cups – Double Wall Art Print (Carton of 500) are paper with an aqueous coating and cost $0.11 each.

For larger takeaway coffees, the 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm (Carton of 1000) are single wall brown paper cups with a PLA lining, at $0.14 each. They can also be custom printed with your logo.

What do I need for event catering and grazing platters?

For catering drop-offs and grazing tables, use a large corrugated tray with high sides so food stays in place during transport. The 80mm Corrugated Plate – Brown Rectangle Catering Tray Large High Sides (Carton of 50) measures 560x255x80mm and costs $0.87 each, and the black version, 80mm Corrugated Plate – Black Rectangle Catering Tray Large High Sides (Carton of 50), costs $0.94 each. Both can be custom printed.

Add kraft cutlery pouches so guests have everything in one pack: Kraft Cutlery – Pouch With Napkin (Carton of 1000) is $0.06 per pouch and Kraft Cutlery – White Pouch With Napkin (Carton of 1000) is $0.13 per pouch. For carrying orders away, the Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) costs $0.02 each for small items, and the Kraft Bag – Brown Twisted Handle Takeaway Medium (Carton of 250) is made from recycled paper at $0.20 each.

Price comparison for event packaging

Which one should I buy?

• Burger, wrap or dumpling stall: the 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell (Carton of 200), lined with Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham (Carton of 200).
• Noodle, curry or rice stall: the 32oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box (Carton of 500) for meals and the 8oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box (Carton of 1000) for smaller serves.
• Chips, churros or fried snacks: the Corrugated Takeaway Container – Brown Snack Box Large Plain (Carton of 200), with 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached (Carton of 2000) for sauces.
• Coffee cart: the 8oz Aqueous Coated Coffee Cups – Double Wall Art Print (Carton of 500), adding the 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm (Carton of 1000) for larger sizes.
• Event caterer: the 80mm Corrugated Plate – Brown Rectangle Catering Tray Large High Sides (Carton of 50) with Kraft Cutlery – Pouch With Napkin (Carton of 1000).

If you run a regular market stall and want your logo on boxes, cups or trays, see custom printing. For more on stocking up, read our guide to takeaway containers in bulk, or see small takeaway containers for sides and tasting serves. You can browse the full range of takeaway containers too.

How do I order packaging before an event?

There is no minimum order. Delivery is a flat fee set by your postcode, and free once an order passes a set amount; checkout shows the exact cost, and today's rates are on the shipping page. Delivery takes 3–5 business days to capital cities and 4–6 business days regional, so order well before your event date. All orders are prepaid online. Damaged or faulty items are replaced or refunded free; unopened stock cartons can be returned within 7 days of delivery (10% restocking fee, return delivery at your cost). Use quick order to add several cartons at once.

Setting up or restocking your packaging?

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No minimum order · free delivery over $750 (metro) / $1000 (regional) · damaged items replaced free · Delivery details