Bagasse vs Kraft vs Plastic Takeaway Containers: Which Is Best?

There is no single best takeaway container. Each material suits different food. Bagasse, made from sugarcane fibre, handles hot, greasy food well and is compostable. Kraft paper boxes and bowls look great, suit dry and semi-dry dishes, and are made from renewable board, usually with a thin lining. Plastic containers are the most leak-proof and the best for heavy sauces, soups and microwave reheating.

Here is how they compare, and a quick way to choose the right one for each dish on your menu.

In this guide

• How do bagasse, kraft and plastic compare?
• When is bagasse the best choice?
• When does kraft paper packaging work best?
• When should I still use plastic?
• How do I choose for each dish?
• FAQ

How do bagasse, kraft and plastic compare?

	Bagasse	Kraft paper	Plastic (PP or rPET)
Made from	Sugarcane fibre left after juicing	Paper board, usually lined	Polypropylene or recycled PET
Hot food	Very good	Good	Good (PP), not for hot (rPET)
Grease	Very good	Good with a lining	Excellent
Wet sauces and soup	Fair, lids can loosen	Fair	Excellent, fully sealed
Microwave	Usually yes	Check product	PP yes, rPET no
Look	Natural, plain white or beige	Premium, rustic	Clear, shows the food
Disposal	Compostable, check certification	Depends on lining	Recyclable if clean, check locally

When is bagasse the best choice?

Bagasse is the all-rounder for hot takeaway. It is stiff, holds heat, copes with grease, and does not go soggy quickly. It is a strong choice for:

• Burgers, chips and fried food in a hinged meal box.
• Rice dishes and curries in a compartment box, which keeps sides apart.
• Festivals and events where compostable packaging is required.

We stock bagasse meal boxes from 6x4" up to 9x9", plus 2 and 3 compartment versions, bowls and plates.

Check the certification on each product page, and see compostable packaging and the brown bin for how disposal works in Ireland.

When does kraft paper packaging work best?

Kraft boxes and bowls give a premium, natural look, which is why so many cafés, delis and street food traders use them. They are ideal for:

• Salads, poke and grain bowls in kraft bowls with PE lining and matching PET lids.
• Noodles, stir fries and mains in Biobox containers, which fold flat and stack well.
• Lunch boxes and street food in kraft clamshells.

When should I still use plastic?

Plastic is still the best tool for a few jobs:

• Soups, stews and very saucy curries that travel far in a delivery bag.
• Microwave reheating by the customer. Choose PP containers marked microwave safe.
• Chilled salads and deli items on display, where clear rPET shows off the food.

For soup specifically, paper soup containers are a good middle ground. See our soup containers and deli pots guide.

How do I choose for each dish?

Go through your menu and ask three questions for each dish:

1. Is it wet or saucy? If yes, plastic or a lidded paper soup container.
2. Is it hot and greasy? Bagasse or lined kraft.
3. Does it need to look good on display or in photos? Kraft or clear rPET.

Most takeaways end up with three or four container types, not ten. Fewer lines means less stock tied up and fewer mix-ups at the pass. For a full list of what to stock, see our takeaway packaging checklist. Foil trays are covered in the foil container sizes guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is bagasse packaging?

Packaging made from bagasse, the sugarcane fibre left after the juice is extracted. It is moulded into boxes, bowls and plates that handle heat and grease well.

Is bagasse better than plastic for takeaway?

For hot, greasy food like burgers and chips, bagasse works very well and is compostable. For soups and heavy sauces, plastic is still more leak-proof.

Can kraft food boxes hold hot food?

Yes. Lined kraft boxes and bowls handle hot food well. Very wet dishes are better in a sealed container.

Can you microwave bagasse containers?

Many bagasse containers are microwave safe. Check the product details before reheating.

Which takeaway container is best for curry?

A sealed plastic container or a paper soup container for saucy curries, and a bagasse compartment box for curry with rice.