Plastic To Go Containers: Types, Safety & Buying Tips for Your Business

Table of Contents

1. Why Are Plastic Food Containers Commonly Used?

2. What Type of Plastic Is Used to Made Takeout Containers?

3. Types of Plastic To Go Containers for Restaurants and Food Services

4. Are Plastic To Go Containers Safe to Use in Microwave?

5. Choose the Best Plastic To Go Containers for Your Business

6. Where Can I Buy Plastic To Go Containers in Bulk?

Plastic to go containers have become an indispensable part of the food service industry. Whether you’re running a restaurant, catering business, or just need something to store your leftovers or food, plastic to-go container is an ideal choice.

Plastic to-go containers are disposable storage solutions made primarily from plastic. They are designed to store various types of food, including hot meals and cold salads, and keep them fresh and intact during takeout and delivery.

These containers come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and capacities to fit all kinds of food and packaging needs. Most plastic to-go containers are heavy duty, leak resistant, and durable, so they're becoming one of the takeout options for many businesses.

In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know about picking the right plastic to-go containers, like the materials they're made of, the different types, and must-have features, as well as buying tips.

Why Are Plastic Food Containers Commonly Used?

Plastic food containers are so common because they're durable, cheap, and useful. Plastic containers are lightweight and durable, and they don't break as easily as glass, which makes them safer and easier to handle, transport, and store. They come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and designs, so you can use them for all kinds of hot and cold food. They're often stackable, which helps save space, and many have secure, leak-proof lids to keep food fresh and prevent spills.

Plastic is relatively inexpensive to produce compared to other materials like glass or metal. Plastic food containers are a popular choice for businesses, especially in the food service industry, because they're affordable and you can buy a lot of them without having to invest a lot of money. For consumers, plastic containers also offer a cost-effective solution for storing leftovers or packing meals.

What Type of Plastic Is Used to Made Takeout Containers?

When it comes to takeout, delivery, food service, and restaurants, plastic takeout containers are usually made from a bunch of different materials. The most common plastics used are PP, PS, PET, PE, LDPE, and HDPE.

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is one of the most popular plastics for takeout containers. It's heat-resistant, so it can handle both hot and cold food. It's durable, flexible, and microwave-safe, so you can reheat your food without transferring it to another container. It's also BPA-free, so it's safe for food contact.

Polystyrene (PS)

Polystyrene is often used for cheap, disposable takeout containers. It's rigid, lightweight, and great for foods like burgers, fries, and sandwiches. But it's not as heat-resistant as polypropylene, so it can break or become brittle under high temperatures. Polystyrene containers are usually used for cold or room-temperature food items.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)

PET is a strong, clear plastic that's used a lot for food containers, especially for salads, fruit, and beverages. PET containers are often used for fresh, ready-to-eat takeout meals.

Polyethylene (PE)

Polyethylene is great for packaging salads, deli items, and baked goods. It's usually used in lower-cost food packaging, and it can be either rigid (for sturdy containers) or flexible (for bags or wraps). It's not as durable for hot foods, but it's great for cold or room-temperature items.

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is flexible and durable, so it's great for squeeze bottles, cling wraps, and some food pouches. It's usually safe, but it's not as common for rigid takeout containers.

What types of plastic takeout containers are commonly used in food service and restaurants? Let's take a closer look.

Types of Plastic To Go Containers for Restaurants and Food Services

Hinged or Clamshell Containers

Hinged or clamshell containers are a type of plastic takeout container that have a hinge mechanism, allowing the container to open and close easily like a clamshell. These containers are made from a single piece of plastic that folds over to seal the food. You can get them with one, two, or three compartments.

They're typically used for packaging hot or cold solid food, like fried foods, hamburgers, sandwiches, sides, and so on. When it comes to packaging hot food, PP containers are a more durable option that can handle higher temperatures.

Square, Rectangular and Round Containers with Lids

These containers are usually made from PP or PET. They might come in different compartment shapes and have a snap-on or vented lid to help with steam release. These plastic containers are great for packaging all kinds of food, like pasta, entrées, rice dishes, salads, soup, mixed meals, and more.

Takeaway Noodle Bowls

Plastic takeout bowls are commonly used for salads, noodle dishes, and rice bowls. Some of them are designed with a middle tray for separating noodle and soup that help keep the food secure and fresh.

Deli Containers

Deli containers are great for takeout and storage. They can package hot and cold food, which is a key option in the food service industry for storing food like salads, soups, stews, fruits, or cold side dishes. These containers come in different sizes, ranging from 8 oz to 32 oz.

Are Plastic To Go Containers Safe to Use in Microwave?

Plastic to-go containers are usually safe to microwave. But not all plastic containers are microwave-safe. Using the wrong type of plastic can lead to harmful chemicals leaching into food, warping, or even melting. Here’s what you need to know before buying or using a plastic takeout container.

Materials that are safe for microwaving. Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most microwave-safe plastics. It's heat-resistant and can handle the temperature changes during microwave use without warping or releasing harmful chemicals. Polyethylene (PE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) aren't always microwave safe, so it's suggested to check for microwave-safe labeling or follow the manufacturer's guidelines. But they're usually better for storing cold food. Don't use polystyrene containers in the microwave because they're not heat-resistant.

Look for BPA-Free plastic containers. If you're worried about potential harmful chemicals, just check that the container is BPA-free. BPA, or bisphenol A, is a chemical that's in some plastics. It can leak into food and has been linked to various health issues.

Check for microwave-safe labeling. A lot of plastic containers have a microwave-safe symbol on them, which means you can use them in the microwave without any problems. You'll often see this symbol at the bottom of the container. Some containers are microwave-safe, but the lids might not be. A lot of plastic to-go containers come with plastic lids that you can't put in the microwave. Just remember to remove the lid before microwaving, or check for the microwave-safe symbol or plastic code on the lid. 

Tip: Learn how to tell if a plastic container is microwave-safe before buying or using it in the microwave.

A high-quality plastic takeout container can make your customers happier, improve your brand image, and increase your business's revenue. When picking plastic to-go containers for your restaurant, takeout and delivery, catering business, or personal use, there are a few must-have features to think about.

Look for containers made from polypropylene (PP) as this material is durable enough. Just make sure the container doesn't break or leak on the way there, and the food will stay safe and intact.

Leak Resistance. It's really important that the design is leak-proof, especially for foods with liquids or sauces, like soups, stews, or salads with dressing. It prevents spills, stains, and messes during delivery or transportation, protecting the food and making sure it gets to the consumer safely.

Heat Resistance. If you're using containers for storing or transporting hot foods, heat resistance is key. Make sure the container won't deform, melt, or become unsafe when it's filled with hot food, especially when food needs to be transported immediately after it's made.

Microwave and Freezer Safe. A lot of customers use plastic to-go containers to store or reheat food. It's super convenient for reheating leftovers or freezing food. You don't have to transfer food to another container when you heat it.

Stackable Design. Plastic to-go containers that are stackable help save space and make storage and delivery more efficient.

Portion Control. To-go containers should be available in different sizes to fit different food portions and types.

Easy to Close and Open. Provides convenience to customers, reducing frustration when trying to open or close containers.

Where to Buy Plastic To Go Containers in Bulk?

Looking for high-quality and durable PP takeout containers? At Taishan Changjiang Plastic Products Co., Ltd., we provide a wide range of disposable food containers, including: PP food containers, clamshell containers, deli containers.

All our products are made from food-grade and BPA-free materials, which are recyclable, microwave-safe, dishwasher safe, freeze safe, stackable, leak-proof and pressure-proof.

We're here to help you boost your food business.

Contact us at lr@lrpacking.com

Or call us at +86-13326828480 for samples and pricing.