Why Are Restaurants Still Using Plastic Containers for Hot Food? The Harmful Truth and a Better Alternative

🌍 Introduction

It’s 2025. Everyone knows plastic is bad for the environment — yet you still receive your hot meal in a plastic container. Restaurants, food trucks, and delivery services continue to use plastic packaging, especially for hot or liquid meals. But did you know this isn’t just harmful to the environment, but also to your health?

At DutchBioPack, we believe there’s a better way: plastic-free, compostable, and safe — even for hot dishes. 💚

 

🧪 Why Do Restaurants Still Use Plastic Containers?

Many hospitality businesses still rely on plastic because:

  • It's cheap and widely available
  • It seals well (good for soups, sauces, and curries)
  • They assume sustainable alternatives are not strong or leakproof

But that’s no longer true. Packaging technology has evolved — yet the damage caused by plastic remains as serious as ever.

⚠️ The Hidden Dangers of Plastic with Hot Food

When hot food is placed in plastic containers (especially polystyrene or PP), dangerous things can happen:

  1. Plastic can leach harmful chemicals
    → At high temperatures, toxic substances like BPA or styrene can migrate into your food.
  2. It affects flavor and smell
    → Warm sauces or soups can take on a chemical taste or odor.
  3. It creates massive plastic waste
    → Over 8 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year — a large share from food packaging.
  4. Plastic is rarely recycled
    → Only 9% of plastic globally is effectively recycled. The rest ends up in landfills or nature.

✅ There’s a Better Option – DutchBioPack

At DutchBioPack, we offer 100% compostable food packaging designed for hot and liquid meals:

  • ♻️ Plastic-free & compostable (certified to EN13432)
  • 🌽 Made from natural materials like Bagasse, or Aquas based coated Paper.
  • 🔥 Heat-resistant (up to 90–100°C)
  • 💧 Leakproof – perfect for pastas, curries, or rice dishes
  • 🌱 Produced with a low ecological footprint

🍳 Who Is It For?

  • Restaurants and takeaway businesses
  • Food trucks and festival vendors
  • Catering services
  • Delivery partners (UberEats, Deliveroo, Thuisbezorgd, etc.)

Show your customers you care about sustainability — without sacrificing quality or convenience.

 

📦 Product Spotlight: Compostable Food Containers

One of our most popular items is the compostable bagasse container with leakproof lid:

  • Available in multiple sizes - 350/500/750/1000ml
  • Durable, stackable, and heat-resistant
  • Fully compostable in industrial composting facilities.
  • Suitable for microwave, oven and freezer.

➡️ Browse our sustainable takeaway container here 

 

📢 The Time for Change Is Now

The age of plastic is over. More and more consumers expect eco-friendly packaging from their favorite food places. So why stay behind?

✅ Request a free sample box today
✅ Contact us for bulk pricing for businesses

Let’s make hospitality truly sustainable — together.

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