World Centric · Food Packaging
World Centric NoTree Folded Takeout Containers
Lower concern with plant-based packaging and stated PFAS-free commitment, though third-party verification unavailable.
These containers are made from bagasse (sugarcane fiber) with plant-based coatings and the brand explicitly claims them PFAS-free. They're compostable and avoid Teflon-family coating coatings common in takeout containers.
Brand says: “World Centric states their NoTree containers are made from renewable sugarcane fiber and explicitly market them as PFAS-free and compostable.”
The safe swap
Bagasse
Bagasse Hinged Container 3-Compartment, PFAS Free 200pc
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
Sugarcane-based fiber (bagasse) with plant-based coating
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Coating degradation under heat or acid
Plant-based coatings on bagasse are still emerging formulations; long-term stability and leaching of coating components when exposed to hot, acidic, or fatty foods over extended contact time is not extensively published. Heat above 180F may cause softening.
Mold or microbial growth in porous fiber
Bagasse is hygroscopic and porous; if stored in humid conditions or if moisture is trapped inside a sealed container, fungal growth is feasible. This is a storage and handling issue, not a direct chemical hazard.
What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The manufacturer claims this product contains no PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
No public reports of BPA or BPS in World Centric's plant-based coating formulation; however, the exact chemical composition of the proprietary coating is not disclosed, so residual monomers or processing aids cannot be ruled out without third-party testing.
Source: FDA ↗Microplastics
Bagasse fiber itself does not generate microplastics. The plant-based coating formulation is not transparent; if it contains polymer components, minimal shedding is possible but not documented.
Source: EPA ↗Heavy metals
No recalls or public safety alerts on record for lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in World Centric containers. If the product is printed, ink composition is not typically disclosed for food service packaging.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
World Centric NoTree containers are made from sugarcane bagasse (the fibrous residue left after juice extraction), bonded with a plant-based coating claimed to be PFAS-free. Unlike traditional takeout boxes lined with fluorinated polymers or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bagasse is a renewable agricultural byproduct that requires no synthetic petroleum-based water and grease barrier. The plant-based coating replaces conventional plastic liners, reducing exposure to legacy fluorinated compounds used in most commodity food packaging.
The brand's record and disclosure
World Centric is a Certified B Corporation that has publicly committed to PFAS-free packaging and maintains third-party compostability certification (BPI and EN standards). The company does not have documented recalls or public safety controversies on record for these containers. However, the specific formulation of their plant-based coating and its long-term stability under heat or acidic foods are not independently verified or disclosed in published technical data.
How it compares in its category
Standard polycoated or PET-lined takeout boxes carry higher PFAS risk and potential for microplastic shedding. Bagasse-based alternatives like World Centric's are among the lower-chemical options in single-use food service packaging, though they cost more and perform less consistently at high temperatures or with greasy foods. Compostable plastic (PLA) containers have similar heat limits but avoid bagasse's potential for mold if stored damp.
If you buy it
Use these containers for room-temperature or warm (not hot) takeout; bagasse loses structural integrity above 180-190F and the plant-based coating may degrade. Store in a dry place to prevent mold growth in the porous fiber. Do not microwave, as heat can compromise the coating and fiber structure. Compost according to local industrial composting programs (home compost may not break down reliably).
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
- World Centric has made a specific claim
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.