Eco-Friendly Takeaway Packaging: What to Use for Each Menu Item (UK Guide)
Quick answer: For most UK takeaways, the simplest eco-friendly setup is sugarcane bagasse for hot food (clamshell boxes, bowls, plates and compartment trays), birch wood cutlery instead of plastic, and paper bags to carry it all. Match each container to the dish rather than buying one box for everything, and you will cut leaks, complaints and waste at the same time.
This guide goes through a typical takeaway menu item by item, so you can see exactly which packaging works for each dish and why. Every option below is plastic-free unless we say otherwise.
Which packaging for which dish
| Menu item | Best eco-friendly option | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Burgers, wraps, kebabs | 450ml bagasse clamshell (6 x 6 inch) | Hinged lid keeps heat in; holds its shape with grease and sauce. |
| Burger and chips, fried chicken meals | 600ml clamshell (7 x 5 inch) or 1000ml clamshell (9 x 6 inch) | Room for a main and a side without crushing the chips. |
| Curry and rice, thali, meal deals | Compartment trays (4, 5 or 6 sections) | Keeps sauces, rice and sides apart so nothing goes soggy. |
| Noodles, rice bowls, desserts | Bagasse bowls (240ml and 340ml) | Takes hot, oily and saucy food straight from the pan. |
| Soups, stews, salads to go | Round kraft deli bowls with lids | A fitted lid for food that travels or holds a lot of liquid. |
| Salads, pasta, lunch boxes | Rectangular kraft containers with lids | Stack neatly in a bag and in a chiller. |
| Pizza eaten on site | 12 inch heavy duty pizza plate | Fits a full 12 inch pizza flat, with a raised rim. See our pizza plate guide. |
| Eat-in meals, events, buffets | Bagasse plates (7 to 12 inch, round, square and compartment) | Rigid enough to hold in one hand. See the plate size guide. |
| Cutlery | 16cm birch wood forks, knives and spoons | Plastic-free and strong enough for hot food. |
| Hot drinks | 8oz paper cups | Single-wall paper cups for tea and coffee. |
| Carrying the order | Paper bags with handles (small, medium, large) | Replaces plastic carrier bags; sized for one to several meals. |
A note on lids and cups: the lids for our kraft deli bowls and containers are polypropylene (PP), and paper cups are lined so they hold liquid. They are not plastic-free, so if your menu or signage says "plastic-free", keep that claim to the bagasse and wooden items.
Bagasse, kraft or plastic: the short version
Bagasse is moulded from sugarcane fibre left over after the juice is extracted. It handles hot, greasy and saucy food well, is microwave and freezer safe, and our bagasse range is made from material certified to EN13432 for industrial composting. It is the best all-rounder for hot takeaway food. Read more in what is bagasse?
Kraft paper containers are the better choice when you need a tight-fitting lid, such as soups, salads and food that will travel further.
Polystyrene and single-use plastic plates, bowls and cutlery are now restricted across England, Scotland and Wales for food served to eat straight away. Our single-use plastic ban guide explains what is covered.
If you are also weighing up PLA or bamboo, our bagasse vs PLA vs bamboo comparison goes into the detail.
How to switch without the headaches
- List your top ten dishes. Most takeaways only need three or four container types to cover the whole menu.
- Order a small pack of each first. Test them with your hottest, oiliest and sauciest dishes, and on a real delivery run.
- Compare cost per piece, not cost per pack. Every product page shows the price per item, and larger packs bring the cost per piece down.
- Check storage space. Clamshells and plates nest tightly, so a carton takes up less room than you might expect.
- Tell customers. A line on your menu or delivery listing such as "served in compostable sugarcane packaging" is accurate and worth saying.
What does it cost?
Eco-friendly packaging usually costs a little more per piece than polystyrene did, but the gap is smaller than many owners expect, especially when you buy in larger packs. Each product page shows the price per piece for every pack size, and volume discounts apply automatically at checkout on larger orders. If you order regularly, a trade account gives you trade pricing on every order.
Disposal: what to tell staff and customers
Bagasse is designed for industrial composting, so the best route is a commercial food-waste or composting collection, where used containers can go in with leftover food. Collections differ, so check with your waste contractor what they accept. Clean paper bags can go in paper recycling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most eco-friendly takeaway packaging?
For hot food, plant-fibre packaging such as sugarcane bagasse is one of the best options: it is made from a by-product, contains no plastic coating and is designed for industrial composting. Pair it with wooden cutlery and paper bags.
Can bagasse boxes hold curry and sauces?
Yes. Bagasse handles hot, oily and saucy food well. For very runny dishes or long delivery journeys, use a container with a fitted lid, such as a kraft deli bowl.
Are bagasse containers microwave safe?
Yes, our bagasse containers are microwave and freezer safe.
Is eco-friendly packaging required by law in the UK?
Not all of it, but single-use plastic plates, bowls, trays and cutlery for food eaten straight away, and polystyrene food containers, are restricted in England, Scotland and Wales. Switching to plant-fibre and wooden alternatives keeps you compliant.
Can I buy small quantities to test?
Yes. Most items come in packs of 50 or 100 as well as full cartons, so you can try them before committing.
Ready to switch? Browse all our packaging or open a trade account for regular supply.
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