All You Need to Know about Compostable Containers

The emergence of compostable containers is because the entire society is aware of the impact of disposable food containers on the environment, so the material used to make the disposable food containers is very important. Using materials that are friendly to the environment and health will benefit everyone.

Before the emergency of eco friendly food containers, styrofoam containers capture the public’s attention. Due to its convenience, low cost, and excellent insulation properties, it quickly gained widespread usage across various places. At the same time, the environmental pollution caused by styrofoam food containers is becoming more and more serious, so people want to find more environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging solutions to solve the problem. So, let’s learn more about compostable containers.

What is Compostable Container?

Compostable container is a type of compostable packaging that comes in various shapes and sizes, used to serve the food industries as an alternative to traditional plastic containers. The material used to make the compostable containers can break down into organic matter if properly composted.

Types of Compostable Containers

There are a few types of compostable containers sold in the market, some are common, some are rarely seen, and some are discontinued. Let’s take a look at their features and why some are still existing and some have been eliminated.

PLA Containers:

Derived from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane, PLA is a bioplastic that is compostable under specific conditions. PLA is used to make clear compostable containers in various sizes and shapes, mainly serving for the food industry.

Pros of PLA Containers:

Biodegradability: This material is biodegradable, making it environmentally friendly.

Renewable Resource: Using renewable resources as the raw material, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Versatility: Can be molded into various shapes and sizes, suitable for different packaging needs.

Clear and Transparent: PLA can be produced to be clear and transparent, providing visibility to the packaged contents.

Cons of PLA Containers:

Biodegradation Conditions: Need specific composting conditions to biodegrade effectively, such conditions are not available in all places.

Stiffness and Brittleness: Compared to the traditional plastic, the PLA relatively stiff and brittle, may affect its durability in some conditions.

Cost: Compared to normal plastic containers, the production cost of PLA containers is higher.

Heat Sensitivity: The heat resistance of PLA containers is not as good as plastic.

Bagasse Containers:

Made from sugarcane fibers, bagasse is a sturdy material often used for containers and plates. It’s compostable and biodegradable. Bagasse containers are also one of the most widely used eco friendly to go containers in shops, restaurants, hospitals, schools, etc.

Pros of Bagasse Containers:

Biodegradable: Bagasse containers are made from sugarcane fiber, which is eco friendly and compostable.

Renewable Resource: Sugarcane is a byproduct of sugar production, utilizing agricultural waste and reducing environmental impact.

Sturdy and Durable: Bagasse containers are relatively sturdy and can hold both hot and cold food items without losing their shape or integrity.

Microwave and Freezer Safe: They can used both in microwave ovens and freezers, very convenient for you to reheat and store.

Cons of Bagasse Containers:

Moisture Sensitivity: bagasse food containers can become soggy when in contact with liquid for a long period, this will affect its durability.

Limited Heat Resistance: Suitable for many hot foods, but can not stay in hot temperatures for a long time, this will cause container deformation.

Cost: The production and raw material cost of bagasse containers will be higher than normal plastic.

Palm Leaf Containers:

Containers made from dried and pressed palm leaves are compostable and offer a natural, rustic look. This material is also widely used to make palm leaves plates and serving for catering. However due to the production and processing of palm leaf containers is not widespread, the sourcing of palm leaf products is limited, and this product is not common in the market.

Pros of Palm Leaf Containers:

Biodegradable and Compostable: This natural material is biodegradable, breaking down organically.

Renewable Resource: The materials are normally coming from the fallen palm leaves, as the waste of palm trees, which is an eco friendly choice.

Sturdy and Durable: Palm leaf containers are sturdy, heat resistant, and can hold hot or cold foods without getting soggy.

Cons of Palm Leaf Containers:

Limited Availability: Materials are limited and not easy to get everywhere.

Cost: Material and production costs are higher.

Moisture Sensitivity: Like other raw materials, staying in moisture condition for a long time will affect its durability.

Paper Food Containers:

Paper Food Containers are compostable if they are uncoated and free from contaminants like plastic or metals. But this material is not durable enough to hold wet heavy foods.

Pros of Paper Food Containers:

Biodegradable: This material is biodegradable and can decompose naturally, which is also friendly to our environment.

Renewable Resource: Raw material is made from wood pulp, which is a renewable resource.

Customizability: Paper food containers can be customized into various sizes, shapes, and designs, serving to meet different food packing needs.

Recyclable: If the material does not contain any chemicals and metals, it is recyclable.

Cons of Paper Food Containers:

Moisture Sensitivity: Paper food containers are easy to get damp, not suitable for holding liquid for a long time.

Heat Sensitivity: Can be used to hold many foods, but paper containers do not have very good thermal insulation. If used to hold high-temperature food or liquid, this container is easy to deform.

Limited Durability: Compared with other materials, kraft food containers are not durable enough to hold heavy and wet foods.

Coating Challenges: If the container is coated with something for moisture or heat resistance purposes, it may not be recycled.

Mycelium Packaging:

An emerging material with great potential; it’s biodegradable, compostable, and can be grown into specific shapes. However, it’s not as commonly used yet.

Pros of Mycelium Packaging:

Biodegradability: Mycelium-based packaging is biodegradable, breaking down naturally without leaving harmful residues.

Renewable Resource: This material is the waste of byproducts of agricultural products, it is renewable.

Customizability: Mycelium can be grown into various shapes and sizes that could meet specific packing needs.

Low Environmental Impact: The production of mycelium packaging requires minimal energy and resources compared to traditional plastics, reducing its environmental footprint.

Cons of Mycelium Packaging:

Production Time: Growing mycelium into specific shapes and sizes is a slow process, this is why putting this material into large-scale production is a big problem.

Sensitivity to Moisture: Mycelium-based materials can be sensitive to moisture, Mycelium-based materials can be sensitive to moisture, not suitable for direct contact with products containing moisture for a long period of time.

Uniformity and Consistency: The growth variation of mycelium may result in inconsistencies in density, shape, or appearance, affecting their uniformity and suitability for some applications.

Cost: The production cost of mycelium packaging is the highest among all compostable packing materials currently.

As you can see, only the PLA containers and bagasse containers are versatile in all aspects to serve various needs of food packing.

But, the research said that PLA needs to take 100 to 1000 years to decompose naturally, how terrible it is! You can also see what people say about PLA practicing it. So, this is not alarmist, we have to change our mind and take our step to eco friendly food packaging – Bagasse Containers!

What are Bagasse Containers?

Bagasse container is one of the compostable containers that is made from sugarcane after the extraction of juice.

These containers are created by using bagasse fibers, which are molded and pressed into various shapes to form clamshell containers, compostable food containers, compostable bowls, compostable plates, and sugarcane cups. Bagasse containers are popular, because of their biodegradability, compostability, and sustainability, Make your business comply with social and environmental trends.

Types of Food Containers Made from Bagasse Molded Pulp

Bagasse Molded Pulp is widely used to form various food containers into different sizes and shapes to meet different food packing needs. Who are they mainly in the market?

Clamshell Containers (Bagasse Pulp)

Clamshell containers are designed in a clamshell shape and used as food containers. This shape can be made in various materials, such as plastic, paperboard, cardboard, and plant fiber. Among all these materials, bagasse fiber is the best material to make compostable clamshell containers.

The clamshell containers made from bagasse pulp are mainly used in restaurants, food trucks, and cafeterias for to go orders, and used in dessert shops, bake shops, and delis for taking the desserts, bread, and delicatessen.

Compostable Food Containers

Compostable food containers are food packaging in different shapes, such as simple grid food containers, double grid food containers, multiple grid food containers, and compartment trays. They are mainly produced in bagasse fiber material, this material can break down into natural elements when subjected to composting conditions.

The material of the lid for compostable food containers is mainly in 3 types: PET, PP, and plant fiber. You can choose according to your specific needs. The application of containers is mainly used in fast food shops, hospitals, schools, cafeterias, parties, events, and any service industries that provide meals.

Compostable Bowls (Bagasse Pulp)

Compostable bowls are another type of food-serving containers that are mainly made from bagasse pulp. These bowls are eco-friendly and biodegradable. You can also have these bowls with to go orders since we have a few types of lids for these bowls in different materials, you can write your request or customize from us.

Compostable bowls are commonly used in food service industries, restaurants, events, and households for serving various food items. After use, you can throw them into a compost facility, they can break down efficiently, and create nutrient-rich compost for the soil.

Compostable Plates

Compostable plates are disposable food-serving plates mainly made from bagasse pulp. They are commonly used in restaurants, events, picnics, and households for serving meals. After use, you can put them into the composting facility, and they can break down naturally.

Sugarcane Cups

Sugarcane cups are disposable cups made from bagasse, they are eco friendly and biodegradable to replace plastic cups. Sugarcane cups are commonly used on various occasions, including cafes, restaurants, events, and parties for serving beverages like coffee, tea, soft drinks, or water. They can also easily break down in the composting facility and turn into compost in the soil.

How to Make Bagasse Products?

Step 1: Sugarcane Planting and Harvesting

After the sugarcane is planted and matured, it is harvested.

Step 2: Juice Extraction

The sweet juice from the sugar cane is extracted and used to produce sugar and other products.

Step 3: Residue Extraction

After the juice is extracted, the remaining fibrous material (bagasse) is collected.

Step 4: Cleaning and Heat Treatment

The slag is dregs, screened, and heated to remove impurities and kill microorganisms. This step helps prepare the bagasse for subsequent processing.

Step 5: Pulp Preparation

Treated sugarcane bagasse is processed into cellulose pulp or paper pulp.

Step 6: Forming and Processing

The pulp is directly injected into the mold and passed through the forming equipment to make food containers of the desired shape, such as bagasse bowls, bagasse plates, bagasse food containers, etc.

Step 7: Processing and Drying

The formed food containers are heat-pressed or dried to form a solid state and have the desired strength and shape.

Step 8: Inspection and Packing

The finished sugarcane food containers undergo quality inspection and packaging, then shipped to customers.

Customization Options for Bagasse Containers

Under some conditions, you will need some customized service to meet your specific needs, let us take a look at what customization options we have to serve you:

Sizes and Shapes: We have common sizes and shapes on the market, such as 6X6 clamshell container, 12 oz bagasse bowls, 8” compostable plates, etc. If you don’t find the types or sizes you are looking for, contact us to open the mold to custom.

Branding and Printing: Some companies often like to personalize bagasse containers with their logos, taglines, and other custom designs. This will help to enhance their brand identity.

Compartments: In canteens, cafeterias, hospitals, and schools, compartment food containers are needed a lot to meet the request of keeping multiple foods separately.

Lids and Closures: Customized lids or closures of bagasse containers are also available. Such as hinged lids, secure closures, or transparent lids.

Colors: The bagasse containers are normally in 2 colors: natural and white. If you are looking for other color customization, please provide your request in the below form.

What Are the Common Problems in the Production Process of Molded Pulp Packaging?

Excessive Pulping Time

The materials commonly used for making pulp boards are chemical pulps. If the materials can’t be broken down, it depends on the density of the pulp board itself and the blades and speed of the pulping machine. Generally, high-consistency pulpers have spiral blades and flat blades, while low-consistency ones usually use flat blades, with side knives added around the tank. If the pulping speed is too slow, one should consider the sharpness of the blades and the motor’s speed. A 6-pole motor has greater torque but slower speed, whereas a 4-pole motor has faster speed but lower torque. Therefore, adjustments in motor speed can be made according to different pulping machines.

The Dual-Protection Product is Prone to Foaming

Mainly because of the addition of anti-oil agents and the significant impact force during beating, it’s easy to cause foaming. Moreover, the cleanliness of the pulp and water directly affects the likelihood of foaming. If there are more impurities in the pulp, the probability of foaming increases. Additionally, high temperatures, especially in summer, easily breed microorganisms, leading to foaming and resulting in foam spots on the product surface! To reduce foam: (1) Ensure the cleanliness of the pulp, (2) Purify the water quality, (3) Use defoaming agents such as ether for defoaming.

The Usage of Waterproof and Oil-Resistant Additives is Relatively High

The main reason is the high impurity content in the pulp and poor water quality. Generally, for white sugarcane pulp, the dosage of waterproofing agents (acrylates) is around 2-2.5%, and for oil-resistant agents, it’s approximately 0.8%. For unbleached sugarcane pulp, the dosage of waterproofing agents is around 3%, and for oil-resistant agents, it’s around 0.9%. However, these proportions may vary when mixing different types of pulps. The pH value of water should ideally be around 7; if it tends to be alkaline, it can cause an excessive usage of additives. Additionally, an excess of microorganisms in the water can consume a significant amount of additives. Therefore, if there is a significant increase in additive usage, consider changing the water source or checking if the pulp meets food-grade standards.

The Moisture Content in the Formed Wet Preform is Excessively High

Typically, the moisture content in the preform is around 70%. Higher moisture content can cause prolonged setting times, excessive energy consumption, and in some cases, edge explosion issues. Hence, when the moisture content is high, it’s essential to consider whether the preform’s thickness is excessive, the vacuum level is low, the suction time is short, the forming mold is properly sealed, whether cushion sealing is applied, and in unforeseen circumstances, inspect for potential vacuum leaks in pipelines or valves.

Uneven Molding Thickness

Evenness of Suction Holes in the Mold: Non-uniform suction holes might cause this issue. Depending on the situation, opening or blocking holes might be necessary.

Clogging of the Metal Mesh: Any blockage in the metal mesh should be promptly cleaned.

Injection Molding Issues: In the case of injection molding, inspect whether the injection tube is directly impacting the product. Adjust the injection point to prevent direct impact.

Vacuum Leakage: Check for vacuum leaks in the affected area. If present, immediate repair and sealing are required.

Valve Malfunction: Check for any jammed release valves. All four release valves need to function simultaneously for a more uniform result. If needed, promptly conduct repairs.”

The Edges of the Molded Product’s Wet Embryo Are Too Small

If the edges are too small, it will cause edge defects after setting. The main reason for this issue is often the undersized cushioning pads in the basket frame, which can be expanded using a wallpaper knife.

Net Marks Appear on The Product After Setting

Consider several possible reasons: (1) Small gaps between molds or excessive product weight. (2) Excessive thickness of the metal mesh. (3) Insufficient evenness in the molds or equipment, which might result in depressions, causing mesh marks on the edges of the final product. (4) The presence of foam in the pulp pool can also lead to mesh marks. (5) High pressure in the pressurizing cylinder; reducing the pressure to around 3-4kg is generally recommended.

The Product Appears Insufficiently Compacted After Forming

Consider several potential reasons: (1) Insufficient product weight or excessive gaps between molds. (2) Inadequate pressure or insufficient descent of the cylinder. (3) Prolonged use of molds resulting in substantial scale buildup, preventing proper molding in some areas. (4) Malfunctioning or misalignment of electromagnetic valves. (5) Severe wear of the sealing ring in the cylinder’s pressurizing section, leading to inadequate pressurization distance.

Forming Time is Too Long

Consider several possible reasons: (1) Excessive moisture content in the wet preform. (2) Uneven heating due to unevenness in molds or equipment. (3) Low temperature of the heat transfer oil. (4) Blockage in the heating plate, reducing thermal conductivity. (5) Insufficient pressure in the cylinder. (6) Excessive product thickness; typically, for products with a thickness of around 1mm, the setting time ranges from 60 to 90 seconds.

The Trimming Blade CanNot Cut Through

Consider several potential reasons: (1) Dull cutting blade edges. (2) Uneven equipment or molds causing some areas to be difficult to cut through. (3) Insufficient descent or pressurization distance of the cylinder. (4) Low pressure in the cylinder.

The Edges Have Severe Burrs

Consider several potential reasons: (1) Dull cutting blades. (2) Excessive clearance between the die sets, typically between 0 to 2 threads. (3) Overly thick products with high surface dryness, prone to ‘blowout.’ (4) Uneven equipment causes variations in applied force, resulting in burrs.

Waterproof and Oil-Resistant Additives are Ineffective

Consider several potential reasons: (1) Possible omissions or reduced amounts of additives during the addition process. (2) Contaminated water quality with excessive microbial presence. (3) Possible conflicts between defoaming agents and other additives. (4) If the moisture content of the product after setting exceeds 10%, it can easily lead to ineffectiveness of waterproof and oil-resistant properties.

What Contains in the Bagasse?

26%-47%   Cellulose

19%-33%   Hemicellulose

14%-23%   Lignin

1%-5%     Ash

<1%       Extra Waxes

Why Bagasse Packaging is Worth Choosing?

When we choose the packing for our items, no matter whether for food or other items, most of us need it good for health, biodegradable, and compostable. Based on this, sugarcane bagasse packaging has become the one that stands out among all packaging materials, because this material is not only eco friendly, but also strong and durable. What makes this material stronger?

Natural Fiber Structure: Bagasse is from sugarcane fibers, and has a natural structure that contributes to its strength. These fibers are long, providing resilience and durability to the material.

High Fibrous Content: Bagasse contains a high percentage of cellulose fibers. After proceeding and molded, they can create a dense network that could enhance the strength.

Binding Properties: During the pulping process, natural lignin present in bagasse acts as a binding agent, helping fibers adhere together and form a sturdy structure.

Heat treatment: The heat treatment process used in bagasse preparation helps sterilize the material, increase its resistance to microbial degradation, and increase its strength.

Molding Technology: Carefully controlled molding and shaping processes help create uniform and structurally sound containers, avoiding weak spots or distortion.

Density and Compression: Density achieved through proper processing and compression techniques increases the strength of the material, making it suitable for containing various types of food products.

Natural Resilience: Bagasse is inherently flexible and elastic, allowing it to withstand moderate pressure without easily cracking or deforming.

See more research about why sugarcane bagasse packaging is the best packing material.

FAQs about Compostable Containers

Q: Can compostable containers be recycled?

A: Whether compostable containers made from PLA, bagasse, paper, palm leaves, or mycelium can be recycled depends on the recycling system in your region. So, if you want to know the exact answer, you can check with local waste management authorities.

Q: How to handle compostable food containers?

A: You might be interested in how to handle compostable food containers and some common misconceptions along with their solutions.

Q: Can I microwave compostable containers?

A: Disposable Food Containers made of PLA, bagasse, mycelium, paperboard, and palm leaf are 100% microwavable.

Q: Are Chinese food containers compostable?

A: Whether food containers are compostable or not depends on the material used. Eco March is the bagasse containers manufacturer in China, our products are 100% compostable.

Eco March is a professional manufacturer of compostable containers, we can also open mold and customize any bagasse product to meet your request. Join the eco-friendly movement today to catapult your brand and business ahead of the competition!