Bulk Buying Guide: Disposable Plastic Bento Boxes for Food Businesses

Table of Contents

1. Types of Disposable Plastic Bento Boxes

2. Are Disposable Plastic Bento Boxes Microwaveable?

3. Choose the Best Disposable Plastic Bento Boxes for Takeout and Delivery

4. Where to Buy Disposable Plastic Bento Boxes in Bulk?

For food businesses, takeout, and delivery, efficiency, presentation, and convenience are key. These days, modern fusion restaurants and cloud kitchens that focus on healthy meal preps need the right packaging to store different food items separately so that the food can be kept fresh and presented nicely. But it's not always easy to find the best packaging to make a brand stand out for restaurants, meal prep services, cloud kitchens, and so on.

In the food service industry, disposable plastic bento boxes should be one of your options for takeout packaging. A disposable plastic bento box is a food container made from durable plastic. It has compartments that are designed to store different food items separately. Disposable plastic bento boxes are perfect for delivery and takeout, portion control, and combining meals, like rice, protein, vegetables, salad, sauces, and more.

Next, we will explore types of disposable plastic bento boxes, the essential features, how they boost brand image, and where you can buy them in large quantities at competitive prices.

Types of Disposable Plastic Bento Boxes

Disposable plastic bento boxes come in all kinds of types. You can tell the difference between them by the material they're made of, how their compartments are designed, their size, and their shape. The best disposable plastic bento box for you depends on your food type, delivery method, and customer expectations.

By Materials

Disposable plastic bento boxes can be made from various plastics, which is appropriate for various food items, such as hot and cold food. 

By Shape

Disposable plastic bento boxes come in many shapes, including rectangular, square, and round. Rectangular and square bento boxes are the most popular because they are great for stacking and storing things efficiently. Round bento boxes are less common.

By Compartment Design

Disposable plastic bento boxes with compartments are great for keeping food flavors fresh, looking nice, and making it easy to see food inside.

• Single compartment bento box - It offers large space for simple meals and is best for packaging pasta, rice bowls, noodles.
• Two compartment bento box - It separates main dish and side dish.
• Three compartment bento box - It is a standard layout for packaging main dish, side dish, and grain.
• Four to five compartments bento box - It offers a variety of small portions.

Are Disposable Plastic Bento Boxes Microwaveable?

The microwaveability of disposable plastic bento boxes depends entirely on the type of plastic material used to make them. While some disposable plastic bento boxes may be labeled as microwaveable, it is important to note that not all of them are microwave safe.

Microwave-Safe Disposable Plastic Bento Boxes

These are commonly made from PP or CPET, both of which are designed to withstand the high temperatures of microwave reheating.

PP (Polypropylene) 

It is durable, flexible, and heat-resistant up to 120°C (248°F). The most common material used for microwave-safe food containers is often labeled with the "microwave-safe" icon or plastic code #5.

CPET (Crystallized Polyethylene Terephthalate) 

It is able to withstand even higher temperatures (up to 200°C / 392°F). These products are compatible with both microwave ovens and conventional ovens. It is ideal for ready-to-eat frozen meals and premium catering trays.

Not Microwave-Safe Disposable Plastic Bento Boxes

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

It's often used for cold food packaging, but it can warp or release chemicals when heated.

PS (Polystyrene)

You can find it in some low-cost bento trays or foam containers. It can become brittle and release chemicals when it's heated to high temperatures.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

Plant-based and compostable box is suitable for cold foods and not designed for heat or microwave use.

Tip for food business

Identify a microwave-safe disposable containers when choosing them for takeout meals, delivery, meal prep services, cloud kitchen, etc. It’s suggested to always choose microwave-safe bento boxes to protect your brand reputation and ensure customer safety and satisfaction.

Choose the Best Disposable Plastic Bento Boxes for Takeout and Delivery

Which disposable plastic containers are the most suitable for takeout and delivery services? When selecting a disposable plastic bento box, prioritize features such as leak-resistance, heat-resistance, durability, and stackability.

Leak Resistance

A disposable plastic bento box with secure lids can help prevent leaks and spills during delivery. You can take a quick test for leak resistance. First, fill it with about 80% of your food and seal the lid tightly. Next, give the container a good shake, side-to-side. Finally, check for food integrity, leakage, and mixing.

Durability and Stackability

A good disposable plastic container can keep its shape, integrity, and performance even when it's under stress during transport. Also, a disposable plastic box that can be stacked well can be safely piled on top of each other without sliding, tipping, or crushing. This makes it great for storing and delivering food.

Heat Resistance

Disposable PP bento box is safe to reheat in the microwave. It can usually handle heat up to around 120°C (248°F). When you're picking out containers for your hot food, look for ones that are marked with a microwave-safe symbol or the code #5 (PP).