Plastic Takeaway Food Containers: PLA Paper Alternatives
If you searched for plastic takeaway food containers, the containers in this range are not plastic: they are paper or cardboard with a PLA coating or a clear PLA window, made as white and kraft rectangular containers, lunch boxes and sandwich wedges. If you need a rigid plastic container, our guide to disposable plastic bowls covers that route; if a paper container can do the same job, this guide helps you match one to your dish.
Key takeaways
- Every container here is described by its material: "Paper + PLA Coated" or "Cardboard + PLA".
- The white and kraft rectangular containers come in 500ml, 650ml, 750ml and 1000ml, all on a 172x120mm footprint.
- Lunch boxes come plain (brown, PLA coated) or with a clear PLA window, in Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large.
- Sandwich wedges are cardboard with a clear PLA window, including a heat seal version.
- Everything is sold by the carton, with no minimum order and prepaid online checkout.
Are these takeaway containers plastic?
No. Each container is paper or cardboard, either coated with PLA or fitted with a clear PLA window, so the body of the container is paper-based rather than moulded plastic. Here the PLA is used as a coating on the paper or as the see-through window.
That matters if your search for "plastic" really meant "a container with a clear window" or "a container for wet food". The sections below take those jobs one at a time.
Can a PLA-coated paper container handle wet food?
For saucy dishes, look at the coated paper lines first: the white and kraft rectangular containers and the plain lunch boxes are listed as "Paper + PLA Coated", meaning the paper carries a PLA coating. The windowed lunch boxes and sandwich wedges are "Cardboard + PLA", where the PLA is the clear window (the heat seal sandwich wedge also carries a PLA coating, as its name says).
As a starting point:
- Curries, rice, pasta and dressed salads: the coated rectangular containers in white or kraft.
- Chips, fried food, burgers and dry mains: the coated lunch boxes.
- Sandwiches, wraps and pastries: the windowed boxes and sandwich wedges, which show the food.
We do not publish leak or heat ratings for these lines, so if you are replacing a plastic container for a very liquid dish, order one carton and test it with your own recipe before changing your whole menu.
Do I need a separate lid?
Check before you order. Open each product page and confirm how the container closes, and whether a lid is sold as a separate item for the rectangular containers.
If you are moving away from a plastic container with a clip-on lid, this is the main thing to confirm, so plan the container and any lid together on your order.
Which sizes, colours and prices are available?
The rectangular containers come in white or kraft (brown), and the lunch boxes in brown or brown with a clear window. Prices below are per carton and per item.
| Product | Size / material | Carton qty | Carton price | Per item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA Takeaway Container – White Coated Rectangular 500ml (Carton of 300) | 172x120x41mm, Paper + PLA Coated, White | 300 | $90.00 | $0.30 |
| PLA Takeaway Container – White Coated Rectangular 1000ml (Carton of 300) | 172x120x75mm, Paper + PLA Coated, White | 300 | $120.00 | $0.40 |
| Kraft Takeaway Container – Coated Rectangular 750ml (Carton of 300) | 172x120x57mm, Paper + PLA Coated, Brown | 300 | $105.00 | $0.35 |
| PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Small (Carton of 200) | 110x90x64mm, Paper + PLA Coated, Brown | 200 | $69.81 | $0.35 |
| PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Large (Carton of 200) | 197x140x64mm, Paper + PLA Coated, Brown | 200 | $119.68 | $0.60 |
| PLA Takeaway Container – Lunch Box with Window Large (Carton of 200) | 197x140x64mm, Cardboard + PLA, Brown + Clear | 200 | $141.05 | $0.71 |
| Takeaway Container – Sandwich Wedge (Carton of 500) | 122x72x122mm, Cardboard + PLA, Brown + Clear | 500 | $123.90 | $0.25 |
| PLA Takeaway Container – Heat Seal Sandwich Wedge with Coating and Window (Carton of 600) | 123x123x72mm, Cardboard + PLA, Brown + Clear | 600 | $252.75 | $0.42 |
Do these stack like plastic containers?
The white and kraft rectangular containers share one 172x120mm footprint across every size, so different depths line up in the same outline on a shelf or in a delivery bag. The lunch boxes share footprints too: the Large and Extra Large are both 197x140mm, differing only in height.
For storage, check the carton quantity against your shelf space: the lunch boxes come 200 to a carton and the rectangular containers 300.
Can I get them printed with my logo?
Yes, on selected products. The plain lunch boxes, windowed lunch boxes and sandwich wedges are listed with custom print available; the white and kraft rectangular containers are not. See custom printing for how it works.
Which one should I buy?
Match the container to the venue and the dish:
- Takeaway restaurants serving curries, noodles or rice: the PLA Takeaway Container – White Coated Rectangular 1000ml (Carton of 300) for mains, with the 500ml for sides. Test a carton with your most liquid dish first.
- Cafés wanting a natural brown look: the Kraft Takeaway Container – Coated Rectangular 750ml (Carton of 300) for salads and bowls.
- Food trucks doing chips and fried food: the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Large (Carton of 200).
- Kids' meals and snack serves: the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Small (Carton of 200).
- Caterers and grab-and-go fridges: the PLA Takeaway Container – Lunch Box with Window Large (Carton of 200), which shows the food through the clear PLA window.
- Sandwich bars: the PLA Takeaway Container – Heat Seal Sandwich Wedge with Coating and Window (Carton of 600) for pre-packed sandwiches, or the standard Sandwich Wedge for made-to-order.
Ordering several lines at once? Read about buying takeaway containers in bulk.
How does ordering work?
Everything is sold by the carton, and each product page shows the carton price and price per item. There is no minimum order. Delivery is metro $35 flat, free on orders over $750; regional $75 flat, free over $1,000, taking 3–5 business days to capital cities and 4–6 business days regional. All orders are prepaid online. Damaged or faulty items are replaced or refunded free; there are no change-of-mind returns. Browse the full takeaway containers range or use quick order if you already know what you need.
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) · damaged items replaced free · Delivery details
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