hoffmaster Earth Wise Tree Free Stackable Clamshell
Lower concern. Tree-free clamshells typically avoid PFAS coatings.
Hoffmaster's tree-free clamshells use fiber-based materials without typical PFAS risk factors like Teflon-family coating or water-repellent coating treatments. No public PFAS claims or third-party verification available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Tree-free pulp, likely sugarcane bagasse or bamboo fiber composite
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What hoffmaster Earth Wise Tree Free Clamshell is made of, ingredients and materials
Hoffmaster Earth Wise clamshells are molded from tree-free pulp, most likely sugarcane bagasse (a processing byproduct) or bamboo fiber composite. These materials are inherently free of the fluorinated coatings (PFAS) found in many plastic clamshells and some bleached paperboard. The pulp is typically unbleached or oxygen-bleached rather than chlorine-bleached, reducing the likelihood of dioxin or chlorine residues. No known proprietary water-repellent or grease-barrier coating is applied that would introduce synthetic chemicals.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Microplastic/fiber migration into food
Uncoated molded fiber can shed small cellulose particles under mechanical stress, moisture, or heat. Risk is low for single-use contact but increases if the clamshell is reused, microwaved, or in contact with acidic foods.
Mold or microbial growth if stored wet
Tree-free fiber is hygroscopic and supports mold if stored in humid or damp conditions before use. This is a storage/handling risk, not a manufacturing defect.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Bleach residues (chlorine or oxygen-based)
Earth Wise products are marketed as unbleached or oxygen-bleached, which avoids dioxins associated with chlorine bleaching. No documented residues in this product class.
Heavy metals
Sugarcane bagasse and bamboo are agricultural crops; heavy metal content depends on soil quality in the source region. No recalls or test data suggest contamination in Hoffmaster products.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Most molded-fiber clamshells use water-soluble adhesives or natural starch binders rather than formaldehyde-releasing resins. No evidence this product uses such binders, though full ingredient disclosure is not public.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Hoffmaster (parent, Louisiana-based manufacturer) markets Earth Wise as a sustainability-focused line but does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or third-party certifications (e.g., FDA food-contact verification, compostability standards) on this specific SKU. The brand's PFAS stance is undisclosed, though the product category itself (uncoated fiber) naturally avoids PFAS. No recalls or contamination incidents have been documented for this product line in public records.
How it compares in its category
Tree-free fiber clamshells sit at the lower end of chemical hazard risk compared to plastic (PET/PETE, PS) clamshells, which may contain BPA/BPS or phthalates, and compared to virgin-fiber clamshells that often receive PFAS-coated liners for grease resistance. They are functionally equivalent to uncoated molded-fiber takeout containers and compostable in industrial settings. The trade-off is reduced oil and moisture barrier; grease will migrate through the material over 2-4 hours.
If you buy it
Use these clamshells for dry or low-moisture foods (baked goods, salads without dressing, sandwiches). Do not use for hot, oily, or heavily-greased items for extended periods, as fiber breakdown and material migration accelerate with heat and fat. Discard after single use; these are not intended for repeated washing or reheating. Store in dry conditions to prevent mold growth before disposal. Compost in a commercial facility if available; home composting may be slow.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Earthwise has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to hoffmaster Earth Wise Tree Free Stackable Clamshell?
- Plant-based fiber pulp (compostable)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Microbe/mold growth if stored damp
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Eco-Products
Eco Products WorldView Compostable Take-Out Containers EP-SCRC32
- Plant-based fiber (compostable sugarcane bagasse)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Bleaching agents and processing residues
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Eco-Products
WorldView Sugarcane Take-Out Containers
- Sugarcane bagasse (post-consumer fiber)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Cellulose fiber degradation and food contact
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.