Eco Friendly Packaging Materials: Cost Per Item Compared
If you are pricing eco friendly packaging materials per item, kraft paper and sugarcane are where the low unit costs are: a Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) works out at $0.02 each and a 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached (Carton of 2000) at $0.06 each. PLA-lined paper containers run from $0.16 to $0.68 each and corrugated items from $0.37 to $1.51 each, because you are paying for size and structure as well as material.
Key takeaways
- Compare price per item, not carton price. A carton of 2000 at $128.23 is $0.06 each; a carton of 50 at $69.81 is $1.40 each.
- Sugarcane is the material to look at first for clamshells and small portion cups: the 9x6x3 clamshell is $0.17 each.
- PLA-lined paper covers noodle boxes, lunch boxes and lined coffee cups, from $0.16 each.
- Aqueous-coated paper is the other cup lining option; the 8oz double wall cup is $0.10 each.
- Corrugated board is for structure: snack boxes and large catering trays that need to hold their shape.
What does each eco packaging material cost per item?
The table below lists one or two products for each material, with the carton price and price per item shown on each product page. Every product is sold by the carton. Wood is the other common material in food service, mostly for cutlery and stirrers, but it is not part of this price comparison.
| Product | Material | Size | Carton qty | Carton price | Price per item |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat | Paper | 200x200mm | 500 | $8.50 | $0.02 |
| 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached | Sugarcane | 2oz | 2000 | $128.23 | $0.06 |
| Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham | Paper | 190x300mm | 200 | $13.53 | $0.07 |
| 8oz Aqueous Coated Coffee Cups – Double Wall Art Print | Paper + Aqueous Coated | 8oz | 500 | $51.00 | $0.10 |
| 8oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box | Paper + PLA Coated | 8oz | 1000 | $156.73 | $0.16 |
| 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm | Paper + PLA Coated | 12oz | 1000 | $159.57 | $0.16 |
| 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell | Sugarcane | 229x152x75mm | 200 | $34.85 | $0.17 |
| Kraft Bag – Brown Twisted Handle Takeaway Medium | Recycled Paper | 305x305x175mm | 250 | $82.95 | $0.33 |
| Corrugated Takeaway Container – Brown Snack Box Large Plain | Corrugated | 205x106x76mm | 200 | $73.10 | $0.37 |
| 32oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box | Paper + PLA Coated | 32oz | 500 | $185.23 | $0.37 |
| PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large | Paper + PLA Coated | 197x140x90mm | 200 | $136.78 | $0.68 |
| 80mm Corrugated Plate – Brown Rectangle Catering Tray Large High Sides | Corrugated | 560x255x80mm | 50 | $69.81 | $1.40 |
All prices include GST. The spread inside one material is often bigger than the spread between materials: PLA-lined paper goes from $0.16 for an 8oz noodle box to $0.68 for an extra large lunch box. So the more useful question is usually "what is the smallest size that does the job?" rather than "which material?"
What is sugarcane packaging used for, and what does it cost?
Sugarcane packaging is moulded from sugarcane fibre (bagasse); in this comparison it covers a clamshell and a small portion cup. The two sugarcane lines here are $0.06 and $0.17 per item.
The 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell (Carton of 200) measures 229x152x75mm and costs $34.85 per carton, or $0.17 each. It suits burgers, fried rice, chips and other single-serve takeaway meals where a hinged lid saves you buying a separate lid. The 2oz sugarcane serving cup is unbleached, natural in colour and comes in a carton of 2000 for $128.23, which is $0.06 each, for sauces, dips and tasting portions.
Sugarcane is unbleached here, so it has a natural colour rather than a bright white finish. Neither sugarcane product is available with custom printing.
PLA-lined vs aqueous-coated paper: what is the difference?
Both are paper with a lining on the food-contact side; the difference is the lining. PLA is a plant-based plastic lining, while an aqueous coating is a water-based coating applied to the paper.
For containers, PLA-lined paper is what you will find in this range. The 8oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box (Carton of 1000) is $156.73 per carton, or $0.16 each, and the 32oz version is $185.23 for 500, or $0.37 each. For larger meals, the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large (Carton of 200) measures 197x140x90mm and costs $136.78 per carton, or $0.68 each. It can be custom printed with your logo.
For cups, you have both options. The 8oz Aqueous Coated Coffee Cups – Double Wall Art Print (Carton of 500) cost $51.00 per carton, or $0.10 each. The 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm are PLA-lined, single wall, $159.57 for 1000, or $0.16 each, and can be custom printed.
For more on container options, see our guide to compostable takeaway containers.
Where do kraft paper and corrugated board fit?
Kraft and plain paper are for wrapping, bagging and cutlery sets, and include the lowest per-item price in this comparison: $0.02 for a flat kraft bag. Corrugated board is for boxes and trays that need to stay rigid.
Paper options:
- Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat: 200x200mm, $8.50 for 500, $0.02 each. For pastries, sandwiches and snacks.
- Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham: 190x300mm, $13.53 for 200, $0.07 each. The large size is 400x330mm at $27.93 for 200, $0.14 each.
- Kraft Cutlery – Pouch With Napkin: $143.72 for 1000, $0.14 each.
- Kraft Bag – Brown Twisted Handle Takeaway Medium: recycled paper, 305x305x175mm, $82.95 for 250, $0.33 each.
Corrugated options:
- Corrugated Takeaway Container – Brown Snack Box Large Plain (Carton of 200): 205x106x76mm, $73.10 per carton, $0.37 each.
- 80mm Corrugated Plate – Brown Rectangle Catering Tray Large High Sides (Carton of 50): 560x255x80mm, $69.81 per carton, $1.40 each. A black version is $75.60, or $1.51 each.
Both corrugated items can be custom printed with your logo; see custom print.
Which one should I buy?
Start from the job, then pick the material with the smallest price per item that fits it.
- Burger bar or takeaway shop: the 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell (Carton of 200) at $0.17 each, plus Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham at $0.07 each for wrapping.
- Noodle bar, Asian takeaway or poke shop: the 8oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box (Carton of 1000) at $0.16 each for sides and smaller serves, with the 32oz size at $0.37 each for mains.
- Café doing coffee and lunch: 8oz Aqueous Coated Coffee Cups – Double Wall Art Print (Carton of 500) at $0.10 each, and the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large (Carton of 200) at $0.68 each for salads and hot meals.
- Bakery or sandwich counter: the Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) at $0.02 each.
- Food truck or event stall: the Corrugated Takeaway Container – Brown Snack Box Large Plain (Carton of 200) at $0.37 each for loaded fries and snack packs, with 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached (Carton of 2000) at $0.06 each for sauces.
- Caterer: the 80mm Corrugated Plate – Brown Rectangle Catering Tray Large High Sides (Carton of 50) at $1.40 each for platters.
If you go through a lot of one item, our guide to buying takeaway containers in bulk covers working out how many cartons to keep on hand. The full container range is in takeaway containers.
How does ordering and delivery work?
There is no minimum order, so you can trial one carton of a new material before switching over. Delivery is metro $35 flat, free on orders over $750; regional $75 flat, free over $1,000. Delivery time is 3–5 business days to capital cities and 4–6 business days regional. All orders are prepaid online, and prices include GST. Unopened full cartons can be returned within 14 days of delivery (customer pays return freight); damaged or faulty items are replaced or refunded free. When you know what you need, use quick order to add several cartons at once.
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