Hot food takeaway containers are essential for food businesses offering delivery or on-the-go services. Whether you're serving pasta, curry, baked potatoes, or noodles, choosing the right packaging helps to ensure meals stay hot, fresh, and presentable. At Wholesale Online, we stock a wide range of hot food containers and lids, including carefully sourced options from Vegware and Colpac.
Looking for practical, sustainable options? Browse our full range of hot food takeaway containers & lids designed for heat retention and responsible disposal.
Choosing the right hot food container does more than prevent leaks or heat loss - it also helps maintain portion control, supports safe transport, and provides a consistent experience for your customers. Our containers are selected for their performance with hot, moist, or oily foods and come in a range of sizes and materials suitable for different operational needs.
Importantly, many of the products we supply offer options for responsible disposal, such as those designed for commercial composting or materials that are widely recyclable. Full disposal guidance is provided for each item where available, helping you pass on accurate information to your customers.
Need reliable packaging for hot meals? Check out our hot food takeaway containers & lids - designed to perform under heat and moisture while supporting responsible disposal.
Vegware offers a selection of packaging made primarily from renewable plant-based materials. Their hot food containers are designed to be commercially compostable where facilities exist. This includes clamshells made from bagasse (a by-product of sugarcane processing) and containers lined with PLA (a compostable biopolymer derived from plants).
Note: These products require access to an industrial composting facility for correct disposal. Composting conditions vary across the UK - please check local availability before making disposal claims to end users.
Colpac offers hot food packaging using responsibly sourced paperboard, often with functional linings to help contain liquids and oils. Many Colpac containers are suitable for recycling where facilities allow, and they work closely with UK recyclability standards to provide clear disposal guidance on their packaging.
Colpac items offer robust performance and strong presentation for premium takeaway offerings. As with all paperboard products, recyclability depends on the specific lining used and the capabilities of local waste facilities.
In line with the UK Green Claims Code, we aim to be clear and accurate about the environmental attributes of our products. Where we mention terms like "compostable" or "recyclable", these refer only to specific conditions and systems that may not be universally available. Below is a breakdown of materials used in our hot food takeaway packaging:
| Material | Key Properties | Disposal Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Bagasse | Heat-resistant, sturdy, suitable for hot oily food | Commercially compostable where facilities exist |
| Kraft Board | Durable, printable, heat-sealable | May be recyclable if free from food residue or PE lining |
| PLA (Biopolymer) | Clear, compostable lining or lid material | Certified for industrial composting only |
| Polypropylene (PP) | Leak-proof, microwave-safe | Widely recyclable via rigid plastic streams |
We avoid vague terms like "green" or "eco-friendly" unless clearly defined. Disposal pathways and local infrastructure vary, so it's important to follow the correct method and avoid misleading end users.
Our hot food containers are used in a variety of settings, from high street takeaways to event caterers and delivery kitchens. Example use cases include:
Many containers in our range are suitable for microwaving and short-term oven heating. Most are supplied flat-packed or stackable to reduce storage space. Product descriptions clearly state:
Labelling zones on containers help with allergen information, nutritional data, and branding. For larger quantities, we can advise on custom printing or labelling to align with your marketing goals.
You may refer to containers as "certified compostable" only if they are third-party certified (e.g. to EN13432) and you also clarify that this applies to industrial composting only. Do not refer to items as home compostable unless explicitly certified as such.
No - some packaging contains linings that can hinder recyclability. Always check the individual product description for accurate information. When a product is recyclable, we include this clearly and specify any requirements such as rinsing or avoiding contamination.
Unfortunately, materials not disposed of correctly may not be processed as intended. We recommend educating customers via signage or labelling where possible, but the final outcome may depend on local council infrastructure.
At Wholesale Online, we offer high-performance takeaway packaging that supports modern foodservice. Our hot food containers are chosen for heat retention, leak resistance, and reliable construction - while also providing options for responsible disposal through commercial composting or recycling where possible.
By offering accurate, transparent product information, we help our customers make informed choices that align with both operational needs and environmental responsibilities. Browse our full selection online and get in touch for tailored recommendations.
Explore our full range of hot food takeaway containers & lids - from compostable clamshells to microwave-safe containers. Bulk pricing and fast delivery available.
