3 Compartment Compostable Hinged Clamshell Take Out Containers 9x9 / 20 Pcs
Lower PFAS concern, though grease-resistance method remains unclear.
These compostable clamshells use plant-based plastics instead of fluorinated polymers, lowering typical PFAS risk. The brand doesn't publicly reveal PFAS testing or how it achieves grease resistance, so contact them if PFAS-free assurance matters for your needs.
The safe swap
Footprint
Matter Compostable Food Storage Container 5ct
95/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Compostable bioplastic (likely PLA or PBAT blend)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Monomer and oligomer leaching (PLA)
PLA can release lactic acid monomers and oligomers into fatty or acidic foods, especially under heat. Levels are generally low at room temperature but increase with microwave use or prolonged storage of oily foods.
Undisclosed additives in proprietary blends
Compostable blends often include plasticizers, colorants, and processing aids not listed on consumer labels. Without third-party certification or material safety data sheet access, specific additives and their migration potential remain unknown.
Thermal degradation and fume release
Exposure of PLA to temperatures above 80°C can trigger thermal decomposition and emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including lactide and cyclic oligomers. Microwave use poses a known risk; conventional oven heating is not recommended.
Microplastics
Compostable containers can fragment into microplastics if stored in direct sunlight, repeatedly flexed, or washed at high temperatures. Fragments may enter food or the environment if containers are discarded improperly instead of composted.
Source: EPA ↗What’s reassuring
BPA & bisphenols
PLA and PBAT formulations typically do not require or use BPA or phthalates by design, making contamination unlikely unless contaminated recycled material is blended in. No reports of BPA or phthalate presence in standard Compose containers are on record.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These containers are made from compostable bioplastics, most likely polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), or a blend. PLA is derived from renewable resources like corn starch and breaks down in industrial composting facilities within 90-180 days, unlike conventional polystyrene (PS) which persists for centuries. However, PLA is not inherently safer than PS for direct food contact; both can leach monomers and additives into food, especially under heat or with acidic/fatty foods. The advantage is end-of-life environmental impact, not necessarily chemical safety during use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Compose does not disclose detailed material composition, additives, or third-party certifications on publicly available sources. No recalls or safety controversies specific to this brand are on record. The silence on chemical composition is typical for small compostable packaging manufacturers but limits transparency regarding plasticizers, colorants, or processing aids used in the blend. Absence of BPA or phthalate declarations is not the same as testing confirmation.
How it compares in its category
Compostable clamshells are safer than conventional polystyrene foam or rigid plastic containers in terms of persistent chemical exposure and environmental burden, but offer no chemical advantage over paper-based or cardboard alternatives if those are available. Unlike conventional plastics that may contain legacy BPA or phthalates, PLA-based containers rarely include these, but unregulated additives in proprietary blends remain a gap. They occupy a middle ground: better than virgin petrochemical plastics, but dependent on end-user composting infrastructure and manufacturer transparency.
If you buy it
Do not use these containers for hot foods or in the microwave, as PLA softens at temperatures above 60°C (140°F) and may leach oligomers and monomers into food. Use only for cold or room-temperature items such as deli items, baked goods, or salads. After use, place in a certified industrial composting bin; home composting does not generate sufficient heat to break down PLA. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent premature degradation; do not reuse for non-compostable waste, as contamination prevents industrial processing.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Compose has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Food Packaging
World Centric
Compostable Fiber Compost-A-Pak Containers
Fiber-based (wood pulp/molded fiber), compostable coating
Proprietary coating chemical migration
Limited concern
Moisture and microbial growth in fiber matrix
Limited concern
Coating degradation under heat or fatty foods
Moderate concern
Recycling contamination if misdisposed
Limited concern
Lower concern with documented PFAS-free commitments, though independent lab confirmation on this specific product absent.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Vegware
Compostable Microflute Takeaway Box
Plant-based fiber (sugarcane bagasse microflute); water-based coatings
Coating degradation under heat and moisture
Limited concern
Lower concern; plant-based compostable packaging with stated PFAS-free positioning and limited independent verification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Loliware
Compostable Hinged Deli Containers
Polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic, plant-based coatings
PLA oligomer leaching
Limited concern
Microplastic generation on degradation
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; compostable bioplastic design avoids fluorine coatings.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More food packaging grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.