10 Affordable Biodegradable Packaging Options for Food

Billions of tons of waste fill our landfills globally every year. Thankfully, society is becoming increasingly environmentally conscious. From eating more sustainably to paper straws to tote bags, people are focusing on producing less waste.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed shoppers to spend more online, including their food shopping, and become increasingly aware of product packaging, especially when something is over-packaged or not environmentally friendly. As a result, the demand for eco-friendly products is growing, and businesses and restaurants have to consider how to incorporate materials that have less impact on the environment.

Brand Image and Reputation

Studies show that more than half of global consumers prefer to purchase from a company with a strong environmental reputation. If a restaurant is seen as reducing its carbon footprint and offering an eco-friendly solution, that business will appeal to a large number of customers. In fact, 21% of consumers said they would actively choose brands if they made their sustainability credentials clear on their packaging and in their marketing. So, using eco-friendly packaging is important to make clear to your customers. Moreover, they will also be more likely to connect to a brand and remain loyal if the brand shows efforts toward sustainability.

Cost Benefits

There is a misleading idea that becoming more environmentally friendly can be costly for a company. However, in reality, it is incredibly cost-effective to “go green”. By reducing the materials used, manufacturing ends up costing less. Packaging becomes lighter, making shipping cheaper as well. Finally, if more companies start demanding recyclable materials, manufacturers will be encouraged to produce more “green” alternatives, reducing the cost of these materials even more.

Chef’s Hat carries a wide range of eco-friendly disposable packaging options for your restaurant and business. Here we’ve rounded up 10 affordable biodegradable packaging options that will keep your food hot and fresh while making you feel good knowing you’re using disposables that are eco-friendly.

1: BioPak Clamshell Natural

BioPak clamshell food packaging is considered “tree-free”. This is due to the fact that they are made from rapidly renewable sugarcane pulp. Sugarcane pulp is a by-product from the sugar refining process, utilising what was once a waste product that would end up in a landfill. This packaging is certified as both homes compostable and carbon neutral. BioPak offers sustainable packaging made from plants, not from oil, for businesses that want to preserve and protect the environment for current and future generations.

They are compatible with the BioPak Burger BioBoard Box and the BioBoard Tray.

2: BioPak Clamshell White

Like the BioPak natural clamshell food packaging, the BioPak white clamshell food packaging is also made from “tree-free” sugar cane pulp. This is a rapidly renewable product used for packaging, compared to using oil, which is finite and causes damage to the earth to extract. BioPak foodservice disposables are designed and manufactured to provide hygienic and aesthetically pleasing packaging solutions. This allows your customers to enjoy food on the go without any negative impact on the environment.

3: BioPak Square Takeaway Bases

BioPak square takeaway bases and containers are “tree-free”, made from reclaimed sugarcane pulp. This is a by-product remaining after the juice has been extracted that would otherwise be burned or dumped in a landfill. Sturdy and versatile, these containers can handle a wide variety of hot and cold foods, including soups and curries. They are grease-resistant and water-resistant, with a leak-proof, secure lid, making them perfect for food deliveries. These containers are even microwave safe and ovenproof, up to 220°C for 20 minutes. They are also refrigerator and freezer safe!

4: BioPak BioBoard Lunch Box with Window

BioPak’s BioBoard Lunch Boxes are sustainably sourced and made from FSC® certified paper board. They are lined with Ingeo™, a bioplastic product made from plants, not oil. As the first packaging company in Australia and New Zealand to become carbon neutral, we strive to minimise any negative impacts on the environment. Sustainable and responsible manufacturing is at the core of what BioPak does, which is why their facilities are certified to ISO environmental, quality, and food safety standards.

5: BioPak Single Wall Cup – Art Series

BioPak has made the ordinary extraordinary by offering the humble paper cup as a canvas to promote talented New Zealand and Australian artists and connect consumers to the environment. BioCups paper is sourced from managed plantations and coated with Ingeo™, a bioplastic made from plants, not oil. BioPak’s BioCups use a heavy-duty, premium quality board that gives these cups superior stability, better lid fit, and excellent insulation. Furthermore, BioPak prints with soy or water-based inks.

Each carton contains up to three different art cups with new artists featured every two months.

6: BioPak Sauce Cup

BioPak sauce cups are available in both sugarcane pulp and bioplastic sauce cups. BioPak sauce cups reduce greenhouse gases by 75% compared to conventional plastic sauce cups. The sugarcane sauce cups are plastic-free, made from reclaimed and renewable sugarcane pulp, a by-product of the sugar refining process that would otherwise be burned. BioPak clear bioplastic sauce cups and lids have a 12 month shelf life from the date of purchase, while the sugarcane cups have indefinite shelf-life if kept cool and dry. PLA bioplastic and sugarcane pulp products are compostable in a commercial facility.

7: BioPak Clear Lid

BioPak takeaway containers are plastic-free, made from reclaimed and rapidly renewable sugarcane pulp. These matching lids are available in PET, PP, or PLA. These are made from Ingeo™, a bioplastic made from plants, not oil, that is certified industrially compostable to Australian and European standards. These containers are grease-resistant and water-resistant and, with these matching lids, are perfect for food deliveries. Sugarcane products are microwave safe and oven proof to 220°C for 20 mins and refrigerator and freezer safe. However, PET, PP, and PLA lids are not microwavable or oven safe.

8: BioPak Square Lid

BioPak’s clear PET lids are suitable for packaging cold food. They are not, however, compatible with hot foods, microwaves, or oven heating. These lids are accepted in the plastic recycling stream. BioPak tree-free takeaway containers are made from Ingeo™, a bioplastic made from plants, not oil, that is certified industrially compostable to Australian and European standards. When used with a compatible lid, they are ideal for takeaway and food delivery.

9: BioPak Sushi Trays and Lids

BioPak sushi trays with lids have a sugarcane base with plant-based bioplastic lids. This results in 75% fewer greenhouse gases than the conventional plastic it replaces. BioPak disposable sushi tray bases are “tree-free”, made from sugarcane pulp, a by-product of the sugar refining process that would otherwise be burned. These skillfully designed lids have an anti-fog additive that allows for crystal clear presentation. BioPak takeaway containers are grease-resistant and water-resistant, with a leak-proof and secure lid, perfect for food deliveries.

Sugarcane products are certified home compostable to Australian and European standards and commercially compostable to Australian and European standards. They are designed to be part of the circular economy. Bioplastics must be stored out of direct sunlight and below 35°C. If stored correctly, the bioplastics lids have a 12-month shelf life from the date of purchase.

10 BioPak Kraft Chip Cup

BioPak Paper Chip BioCups are sustainably sourced and made from FSC® certified paper. Each cup is lined with Ingeo™, a bioplastic product made sustainably from plants, not oil. These cups are printed kraft-look. They are certified compostable and recyclable in most kerb-side recycling, similar to milk cartons. BioPak paper chip cups have a 12-month shelf life.

Are you looking for the best in biodegradable takeaway packaging? Explore our diverse range at Chef’s Hat and make the change to sustainability today.