Eco-Products · Disposable Food Containers
Eco-Products Compostable Clear Clamshell Hinged Food
BPI Certified Compostable certification on record.
This product carries BPI Certified Compostable certification, whose criteria restrict PFAS, which we record as third-party verification. Eco-Products says its Vanguard molded fiber achieves grease resistance without added PFAS.
Brand says: “Eco-Products says its Vanguard molded fiber achieves grease resistance without added PFAS.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Compostable resin (PLA/PBAT blend, plant-based)
Brand disclosure
Third-party verified PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Thermal degradation and chemical release at use temperatures
PLA begins to soften meaningfully above 160F and can release oligomeric breakdown products into warm or hot food; brief contact with freshly served warm food is low-risk, but prolonged contact with foods held at 140-160F or longer heating (microwave) may increase migration. Stays stable at room temperature or brief warm exposure typical of deli or bakery service.
What’s reassuring
Third-party PFAS-free verification
A third party reports verifying this product as PFAS-free.
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
PLA/PBAT compostable resins do not require BPA or BPS as processing aids or hardeners; neither chemical is recorded in Eco-Products' formulation or typical compostable clamshell production.
Source, FDA ↗Phthalates
Phthalates are plasticizers primarily used in polyvinyl chloride and flexible polymers; rigid compostable clamshells do not employ them.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Clear PLA/PBAT resins require no lead, cadmium, or antimony catalysts typical of conventional polyester or pigmented thermoplastics; no reported heavy metal contamination in Eco-Products clamshells.
Source, FDA ↗Microplastics
Compostable clamshells are rigid and do not fragment easily during normal food storage or transport; microplastic risk only occurs after composting or environmental breakdown, which is outside the use phase.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This container is made from a PLA/PBAT blend, a compostable resin derived from plant sources (polylactic acid from corn or sugarcane plus polybutylene adipate terephthalate). PLA and PBAT are designed to break down in industrial composting facilities, unlike conventional polystyrene (#6) or polyethylene terephthalate (#1), which persist for centuries. The clear formulation contains no known dyes or pigments that would introduce heavy metals, and the resin chemistry itself does not rely on the problematic additives common in rigid plastics (BPA, phthalates, antimony catalysts). BPI Certification confirms this product meets ASTM D6868 compostability standards, meaning it will degrade in 180 days in approved facilities.
The brand's record and disclosure
Eco-Products is a well-established compostable foodservice supplier owned by Footprint, and has maintained third-party verified PFAS-free certification across its clamshell line. The brand does not appear in major product safety recalls or regulatory actions related to chemical migration or mislabeling. Their website and product documentation clearly state the compostable certification and material composition, providing transparency typical of brands marketing to environmentally conscious consumers and institutional buyers.
How it compares in its category
This compostable clamshell avoids the chemical hazards of conventional polystyrene clamshells (which can leach styrene under heat or stress) and the PFAS-related concerns in some water-resistant paper-based alternatives. Unlike reusable plastic containers, there is no risk of coating degradation over repeated wash cycles. The main trade-off is that it requires access to industrial composting infrastructure; in landfills without active composting, it will persist similarly to conventional plastics, though it does not contribute PFAS burden to the environment.
If you buy it
Use for room-temperature to warm foods (do not place hot foods above 160F directly against the container, as PLA softens around 160-170F; brief exposure to boiling water or microwave heating may cause warping). Keep dry until use; PLA/PBAT blends do not absorb water significantly but can degrade if stored in hot, humid conditions for extended periods. After use, separate lids from bases if your composting facility requests it, and ensure they reach an industrial facility, not a backyard compost pile (which does not reach the required 140-160F for reliable PLA breakdown). Single-use only; do not reuse for storage or repeated heating.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Eco-Products has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More disposable food containers 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.