In the past few years, we often hear the words "plastic limit", "green". In fact, the restaurant industry is one of the places where plastic is used most; takeout, packing, and fast food restaurants use thousands of lunch boxes every day. In order to reduce pollution, more and more restaurants are starting to use environmentally friendly packaging. The two most common options are compostable to go food containers and recyclable to-go containers. Moreover, the wholesale to go containers market is also getting busier and busier; everyone is looking for more cost-effective and environmentally friendly options.
1. Features of Compostable To-Go Food Containers
Material and Environmental Characteristics
Compostable food containers are mainly made of plants, such as PLA made of corn starch, paper pulp, and leftover residue from sugar cane juice. The good thing about them is that they can slowly decompose in a composting environment after use, and finally turn into water, carbon dioxide, and organic fertilizer, which will not leave any garbage at all, like plastic. Many restaurants choose it for this back-to-nature environmental advantage.
Benefits
The biggest benefit of using compostable to-go food containers is that they can improve the image of the restaurant. Customers will feel that the restaurant has a sense of social responsibility and will be more willing to support it. In addition, many countries are now advocating sustainable development, and the use of such food containers can also follow the general trend. For restaurants, if they purchase in bulk through wholesale to-go containers, the price can be a lot more economical than buying individually.
Shortcomings
Compostable containers aren't perfect, though. First of all, it has to be completely decomposed in a specialized composting site, so if it's just thrown in the trash, the results will be much less effective. Secondly, it costs a bit more than ordinary plastic lunch boxes, especially for small restaurants, which may find it stressful. But the good news is that mass production is increasing now, and buying it through wholesale to go through container channels, the price is already much cheaper than before.
2. Features of Recyclable To-Go Containers
Material and Recycling
Recyclable to-go containers are generally made of PP, PET, and HDPE plastic. The advantage of these materials is that they are strong and durable, and can be recycled and reprocessed into new plastic products after use. Although not as compostable as lunch boxes can completely "disappear", at least they can be recycled to reduce waste.
Benefits
The biggest advantage is cheap! Suitable for large-scale promotion, such as fast food chains, takeaway platforms. They are not only the right price, but also well sealed to ensure that the food is not spilled or leaked during transportation. For catering companies, buying this kind of lunch box in bulk through wholesale to-go containers can not only save money but also ensure a long-term, stable supply.
Disadvantages
The disadvantage is that recycling depends on system cooperation. If a city's waste classification is not perfect, these containers will probably still be disposed of as garbage and end up in landfills or incinerated, which still poses a risk of plastic pollution. In addition, many customers do not have the habit of sorting, which leads to a low percentage of recycling. Therefore, although recyclable to go containers have environmental potential, to can play a role, but also depends on the city's recycling facilities and everyone's environmental awareness.
3. Compostable Vs Recyclable: When to Choose?
Takeaway and Fast Food Chains
Takeaway platforms and fast food restaurants use the most food containers and have high requirements on price and transportation. So most of these businesses will choose recyclable containers because they are cheap and easy to use. Some restaurants that want to emphasize the concept of environmental protection will choose compostable to-go food containers to give customers a good impression.
Restaurants and Food Factories
Restaurants and food factories usually prefer long-term and stable wholesale purchases, so wholesale to-go containers are especially important. For most factories, recyclable to-go containers are more suitable, after all, low cost and stable supply. However, if it is a high-end restaurant that wants to emphasize environmental value, it is more suitable to use compostable food containers.
Policies and Trends
Different countries have different requirements for food containers. Many places in Europe encourage the use of compostable to-go food containers because they want to reduce the reliance on plastic, while recyclable to-go containers are more common in the U.S.A. and some Asian regions. Therefore, when wholesalers make wholesale to-go containers, they must provide corresponding products according to the policies of different countries.
4. As a Manufacturer, What Can We Do for Our Customers?
Wide Range of Products
We offer both compostable to-go food containers and recyclable to-go containers, which customers can choose according to their actual needs. Whether emphasizing environmental protection or pursuing cost-effectiveness, there is a suitable solution.
Wholesale and Customized Services
Through the wholesale to go containers channel, we can provide a large quantity supply, and also can customize according to customers' needs, such as adding a LOGO, changing colors, and changing sizes, to help customers create a unique brand while being environmentally friendly.
International Certification, Export Without Worry
Our lunch boxes meet FDA, SGS, EN13432, and other international certifications, safe and reliable. Customers who want to export to other countries also have no problem at all. This allows both compostable to-go food containers and recyclable to-go containers to enter the international market faster and increase customers' competitiveness.
Where to Buy Recyclable To Go Containers?
Huizhou Yangrui Printing and Packaging Co., Ltd. focuses on the production of compostable to-go food containers and recyclable to-go containers, and provides wholesale and customized services to customers through wholesale to-go containers channels.
Contact information:
Email: sales@packagingbag5.com
Tel: +86 180 8644 3226
References
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics. 2016.
- European Bioplastics. Bioplastics Market Data 2023.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report.
- Packaging Europe. Compostable vs Recyclable Packaging: Market Trends and Consumer Preferences. 2023.
- Statista. Market size of foodservice disposables worldwide from 2020 to 2027.