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Takeout and delivery has come a long way to become a huge industry around the world. As the growth comes so does the competition. Your lunch box is not just a lunch box, it's a brand experience. If a box is poorly constructed, flimsy or leaky, then customers are going to be let down and give a bad review. An attractive, well sealed and strong box establishes loyalty. When it comes to disposable lunch boxes, there are various factors to consider, including durability, safety, sustainability, and cost. Here are the key features to look for.
Leak-Proof Sealing and Structural Strength
Leakage is the most prevalent issue with take-out packaging. Car seats, delivery bags, and customer satisfaction are ruined by sauces, soups, and oily gravies that seep through the lid or seams. A disposable lunch box should be able to be tightly closed and leaktight.
Check containers that have tight fitting lids that snap or lock. Hinged lid clamshells with edge seals are especially good for saucy foods. A wide, flat sealing surface on the rim of the container with a deep channel is better for two piece containers (base and separate lid), creating a better barrier. PP (Polypropylene), PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) are good materials for rigidity and shape resistance in hot or cold contents.
The same applies to structural strength. Lids pop out of a collapsible or flexible lunch box when it is lifted. Premium disposable lunch boxes are made with thickness of the sheets varying from 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm according to the size, and have reinforced corners and ribbed sidewalls. Crush resistance is a key feature for delivery drivers stacking several orders in an insulated bag.
Material Safety and Food Contact Compliance
Food comes in direct contact with takeaway containers. When you use unsafe materials, it can leach chemicals into hot, oily or acidic foods, not only causing harm to your customers, but also harming your brand. Food safety certifications are always checked by responsible buyers!
PP (polypropylene) is generally considered the safest hot food disposable plastic. It will not leach harmful substances, and will not warp when heated in the microwave. PET is ideal for cold / room temperature food and is accepted as food contact all over the world. For companies that want to be environmentally responsible, RPET (recycled PET) is not only the same safe product, but it also has recycled content.
In addition to food safety standards, biodegradable options are required to comply with other standards. PLA (polylactic acid), made from cornstarch is safe for food contact, but it is not heat-resistant (usually below 50°C). Bagasse (sugarcane fiber) is compostable, heat resistant, with a need for a lining for oily or wet foods.
Xiamen Xiefa Vacuum Forming Packaging Co., Ltd. has earned international food safety certifications such as ISO 9001, BSCI, BRC, HACCP and GRS from SGS, guaranteeing that all PP lunch boxes, RPET/PET lunch boxes, PLA lunch boxes and bagasse lunch boxes are in compliance with international standards.
Heat Resistance and Microwave Compatibility
Takeout food is very likely to be heated again. Customers don't like a lunch box that melts, warps or spoils in the microwave, and the perception is negative. The ideal disposable lunch box can be used for reheating.
The best material for microwave containers is PP. It will not degrade up to about 120°C, well above the temperature of a normal reheat. CPET (crystallized PET) can withstand high temperatures (to 220°C) and can be used in conventional ovens for reheating, although it is less likely to be used for normal takeout.
PLA will not be microwaveable, will soften and deform at common reheating temperatures. If you have foods on your menu that will need to be reheated, then avoid PLA until it is specifically stated that it is intended for cold service only. Bagasse can be heated in the microwave, but should be kept away from liquids for longer periods or may become soggy.
PP lunch boxes are the most convenient and secure lunch boxes for delivery companies when they cannot ensure that customers reheat the food in an approved way.
Sustainability Credentials and Brand Image
Consumers are making decisions about where to eat and what to order based on values related to the environment. More and more, customers are selecting restaurants and delivery services based on environmental values. Foam or virgin plastic container means carelessness. A recycle or compost symbol means responsibility.
RPET (recycled PET) helps to minimize virgin plastic usage and still retains clarity and strength. It's widely recyclable in numerous markets and it's appealing to eco conscious consumers. PLA and bagasse can be composted, however, this can only occur if the composting facility is an industrial facility. Paper lunch boxes coated in PLA are another choice, but not very successful with extremely wet or oily foods.
The most effective approach will depend on your community's waste disposal system. RPET is a great option in markets that have a high recycling value. Bagasse or PLA could be better if the markets have composting facilities. “Biodegradable” claims without certification require special caution as they can lead to “greenwashing”.
Takeaway brands can match with the material according to their sustainability goals, as Xiamen Xiefa offers lunch box production in PP, RPET/PET, bagasse, paper, cornstarch, PLA and PS. A strict quality management system is used in the whole process of product production, and there is a strict after-sales service guarantee system.
Summary
Ideal takeout and delivery lunch boxes are leakproof, durable, food-safe, reasonably temperature resistant and have compelling sustainability claims. PP is the most sure-fire option for hot, reheatable dishes. RPET or bagasse is suitable for foods with an eco friendly message that are cold or room temperature. Since 2009, Xiefa Vacuum Forming Packaging Co., Ltd. has been providing customized lunch boxes OEM/ODM solutions for all these materials. Contact them today to order samples and discuss the lunch box that will work best for your menu and delivery needs.
