Sugarcane vs PLA Packaging: Materials and Prices Compared

Sugarcane vs PLA packaging is a choice between two different materials: sugarcane (bagasse) is moulded plant fibre used for clamshells, trays, plates, cutlery and lids, while PLA is a plant-based plastic used for clear cold cups and as the lining on paper cups and paper food boxes. For Australian cafés and takeaway shops, neither is the better buy across the board, so compare the specific item you need on price per item.

Key takeaways

• Sugarcane products in the Packery range include a takeaway clamshell, a 4 compartment tray, a platter, a soup spoon, portion cups and cup lids.
• PLA turns up two ways: as a clear cup on its own, and as a coating on paper or cardboard for coffee cups, lunch boxes, noodle boxes and sandwich wedges.
• For a takeaway meal box, the sugarcane clamshell is $0.17 each and the PLA-coated extra large lunch box (see the product page for the current price). They are different shapes and sizes, so match the box to the meal first.
• Everything is sold by the carton, and each product page shows the carton price and price per item.
• The PLA cups and PLA-coated boxes listed here can be custom printed with your logo; the sugarcane items listed here are not offered with custom print.

What is the difference between sugarcane and PLA packaging?

Sugarcane packaging is made from bagasse, the fibre left over after sugarcane is crushed for juice, which is pulped and pressed into shape. PLA (polylactic acid) is a plastic made from plant starches, and it is either moulded into a clear cup or applied as a thin coating on paper and cardboard.

That changes how each looks on the counter. Sugarcane items come in white or natural (unbleached) and are formed as one piece, such as a hinged clamshell or a moulded lid. PLA gives you either a see-through cup or a paper box with a PLA coating, so the outside looks like regular paper.

Which Packery products are sugarcane, and which use PLA?

In this range, sugarcane covers rigid moulded items: containers, trays, plates, cutlery, portion cups and lids. PLA covers clear cold cups and PLA-coated paper and cardboard: coffee cups, lunch boxes, noodle boxes and sandwich wedges.

• Sugarcane: the 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell, the Takeaway Container – Square Tray 9" 4 Compartment, the 16in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Platter, the Sugarcane Cutlery – Soup Spoon, the 1oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup with its matching lid, and two bagasse lids for cold cups and coffee cups.
• PLA: the PLA Cold Cups – Clear 500ml (clear PLA), plus the 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm, the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large and the 8oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box (all paper with a PLA coating), and the Takeaway Container – Sandwich Wedge (cardboard and PLA, brown and clear).

Note that the two "Bagasse" products are sugarcane lids, not cups.

How do sugarcane and PLA prices compare per item?

Price per item depends more on the product than on the material. Carton sizes differ, so compare the per-item column rather than the carton price.

A few direct comparisons from the table: the sugarcane clamshell is $0.17 (see the product page for the current price). For portion sauces, the 1oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup (Carton of 2000) is $0.04 each and its sugarcane lid is $0.04 each.

Can I get my logo printed on sugarcane or PLA packaging?

Yes on several PLA items, not on the sugarcane items in this list. The PLA Cold Cups – Clear 500ml, the 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm, the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large and the Takeaway Container – Sandwich Wedge are all available with custom printing.

If branding matters at your coffee counter or on takeaway orders, start with these and see the custom print page.

Which one should I buy?

Buy by the job the item has to do, then check the material.

• Takeaway shops and food trucks serving burgers or rice meals: the 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell (Carton of 200) at $0.19 each is a single hinged piece, so there is no separate lid to stock.
• Caterers and lunch bars plating mains with sides: the Takeaway Container – Square Tray 9" 4 Compartment (Carton of 200) at $0.31 each keeps items apart in one sugarcane tray.
• Noodle bars and Asian takeaway: the 8oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Noodle Box (Carton of 1000) at $0.12 each for smaller serves, and the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large (Carton of 200) at $0.58 each when you need a bigger box you can brand.
• Juice bars and cafés selling iced drinks: the PLA Cold Cups – Clear 500ml (Carton of 1000) at $0.22 each shows the drink through a clear cup.
• Cafés serving hot coffee: the 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm (Carton of 1000) at $0.14 each is a PLA-lined paper cup in brown kraft, available with your logo.
• Lids in sugarcane: if your cold cups take a 90mm lid, the 90mm Bagasse Cold Cups – White Lid Dome Lid (Carton of 1000) is $0.09 each; for 4oz coffee cups, the 4oz Bagasse Coffee Cups – White Lid (Carton of 2000) is $0.05 each. Check the lid size against your cup before ordering.

You can mix both in one carton order: sugarcane for containers and lids, PLA for clear cups and printed paper boxes. For sizing help across the container range, see our guides to small takeaway containers and buying takeaway containers in bulk, or browse all takeaway containers.

How do I order sugarcane or PLA packaging from Packery?

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. 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). If you already know your products, the quick order page is the fastest way to build a mixed sugarcane and PLA order by the carton.

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