DoD Sustainable Products Center

Disposable containers: “Products designed to be used for temporary storage or transportation of materials including, but not limited to, food items.”

Disposable cutlery: “Hand-held, disposable utensils designed for one-time use in eating food.”

Disposable tableware: “Products made from, or coated with, plastic resins and used in dining, such as drink ware and dishware, including but not limited to cups, plates, bowls, and serving platters, and that are designed for one-time use.”

The BioPreferred Program established a minimum biobased content of 72 percent for disposable containers and tableware and 48 percent for disposable cutlery. Demonstration products met these minimum biobased content requirements.

In addition, several independent certifiers (e.g., Biodegradable Products Institute and Compost Manufacturing Alliance) currently certify products tested and shown to contain less than 100 parts per million total organic fluorine and contain no intentionally added PFAS. Demonstration products were Biodegradable Products Institute certified.

Single-use food service ware is commonly utilized for takeout food service operations on DoD installations. Such products may be non-compostable and also contain a grease- or soak-resistant coating that contains PFAS. In addition to federal biobased procurement preference requirements and the Executive Order 14057 direction to reduce use of PFAS and single-use plastics, several states have passed laws that ban disposable food service ware containing PFAS due to health concerns from chronic PFAS exposure, and some have passed restrictions on single-use plastics.

Before these PFAS free and biobased products are utilized by the Military Departments and DoD Components, their performance must be proven to meet DoD requirements.

Demonstration Products*

Products demonstrated are listed in Table 1.

Table 1: Demonstration Products

Manufacturer	Product Code	Description
Terravive	3CMPCL-NB-8-BBUI	8” Fiber 3-Compartment Clamshell
Terravive	3CMPCL-NB-9-BBUI	9” Fiber 3-Compartment Clamshell
Terravive	1CMPCL-NB-8-BBUI	8” Fiber Clamshell
Terravive	1CMPCL-NB-9-BBUI	9” Fiber Clamshell
Terravive	1CL-T96-PM-BUN	9×6” Fiber Clamshell
Terravive	1CL-T6-PM-BUN	6” Fiber Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-U85-3L-LF	8” PLA Fiber Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-U85-3-LFP	8” Fiber Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-U8T	8” Fiber 3-Compartment Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-U8TL-LF	8” Fiber PLA 3-Compartment Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-U9L-LF	9” PLA Fiber Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-U9T-LFP	9” Fiber 3-Compartment Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-U9TL-LF	9” PLA Fiber 3-Compartment Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-UHB-LFP	9×6” Fiber Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-UHBL-LF	9×6” PLA Fiber Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-U15B	6” Fiber Clamshell
World Centric	TO-SC-U15BL-LF	6” PLA Fiber Clamshell
World Centric	KL-CS-6N	6” Clear Clamshell
World Centric	KL-CS-8N	8” Clear Clamshell
World Centric	KL-CS-95N	9×5” Clear Clamshell
Terravive	FB-TV-12-PBU	12 oz Fiber Bowl
Terravive	FBL-TV-12-PWU	Clear Lid for Fiber Bowl
World Centric	BB-SC-12N-LFP	12 oz Fiber Barrel Bowl
World Centric	BBL-SC-12N-LF	Fiber Lid for 12 oz Barrel Bowl
World Centric	BO-PA-12	12 oz Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-Certified Paper Bowl
World Centric	BO-SU-12	12 oz FSC-Certified Bamboo Paper Bowl
World Centric	BO-NT-12T	12 oz Tall FSC-Certified Bamboo Paper Bowl
World Centric	BOL-NT-12T	FSC-Certified Bamboo Paper Lid for 12oz Tall Bowl
World Centric	BO-PA-16	16 oz FSC-Certified Paper Bowl
World Centric	BO-SU-16	16 oz FSC-Certified Bamboo Paper Bowl
World Centric	BOL-PA-12-K	Kraft Paper Lids for 12-32 oz Bowls
Terravive	FP-T6-PM-BUN	6” Fiber Plate
Terravive	FP-T9-PM-BUN	9” Fiber Plate
World Centric	PL-SC-U6	6” Fiber Plate
World Centric	PL-SC-U9	9” Fiber Plate
World Centric	PL-SC-9T	9” Fiber 3-Compartment Plate
Terravive	CC-TV-9-PNU	9 oz clear cold cup
Terravive	CCL-TV-9-PNU	9 oz clear cold cup lid
Terravive	CC-TV-12-PNU	12 oz clear cold cup
Terravive	CC-TV-16-PNU	16 oz clear cold cup
Terravive	CCL-TV-12-PNU	12-16 oz clear cold cup
World Centric	CP-CS-2S	2 oz clear portion cup
World Centric	CPL-CS-2S	2 oz clear portion cup lid
World Centric	CP-CS-9	9 oz clear cold cup
World Centric	CPL-CS-9	9 oz clear cold cup lid
World Centric	CP-CS-9Q	9 oz squat clear cold cup
World Centric	CP-CS-12	12 oz clear cold cup
World Centric	CP-CS-16	16 oz clear cold cup
World Centric	CPL-CS-12	12-16 oz clear cold cup lid
Terravive	HCSW-TV-12-PWU	12 oz paper hot cup
Terravive	HCSW-TV-16-PWU	16 oz paper hot cup
Terravive	HCL-TPM-PM-CUN	12-16 oz hot cup lid
World Centric	CU-PA-8	8 oz FSC-certified paper hot cup
World Centric	CU-PA-8D	8 oz Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)-certified double wall paper hot cup
World Centric	CUL-CS-8	8 oz hot cup lid
World Centric	CU-PA-10	10 oz FSC-certified hot cup
World Centric	CU-SU-10	10 oz bamboo paper hot cup
World Centric	CU-PA-12	12 oz FSC-certified paper hot cup
World Centric	CU-SU-12	12 oz bamboo paper hot cup
World Centric	CU-PA12D	12 oz SFI-certified double wall paper hot cup
World Centric	CU-PA-16	16 oz FSC-certified paper hot cup
World Centric	CU-SU-16	16 oz bamboo paper hot cup
World Centric	CU-PA-16D	16 oz SFI-certified paper hot cup
World Centric	CUL-CS-12	10-20 oz PLA
Terravive	ST-TV-8-PNW	Wrapped biopolymer straws
World Centric	ST-PA-J8-K	Bulk paper straws
Terravive	SPS-T5-PM-WUN	Bulk biopolymer spoons
Terravive	SPU-T5-PM-WUN	Bulk biopolymer forks
Terravive	SPK-T5-PM-WUN	Bulk biopolymer knives
Terravive	SPS-T6-PM-WUN	Wrapped biopolymer spoons
Terravive	SPU-T6-PM-WUN	Wrapped biopolymer forks
Terravive	SPK-T6-PM-WUN	Wrapped biopolymer knives
Terravive	SFKSN-T6-PM-WWY	Wrapped biopolymer cutlery and napkin kit
World Centric	SP-PS-6	Bulk biopolymer spoons
World Centric	FO-PS-6	Bulk biopolymer forks
World Centric	KN-PS-6	Bulk biopolymer knives
World Centric	SP-PS-I	Wrapped biopolymer spoons
World Centric	FO-PS-I	Wrapped biopolymer forks
World Centric	KN-PS-I	Wrapped biopolymer knives
World Centric	AS-PS-TN	Wrapped biopolymer cutlery and napkin kit
Terravive	RC-NB-16-PCU	16 oz clear rectangular deli container with lid
Terravive	RC-NB-24-PCU	24 oz clear rectangular deli container with lid
Terravive	RC-NB-32-PCU	32 oz clear rectangular deli container with lid
Terravive	RC-NB-48-PCU	48 oz clear rectangular deli container with lid
World Centric	RD-CS-16	16 oz clear rectangular deli container with lid
World Centric	RDL-CS-8	Lid for 8-16oz clear rectangular deli container
World Centric	RD-CS-24	24 oz clear rectangular deli container
World Centric	RDL-CS-24	Lid for 24 oz clear rectangular deli container
World Centric	RD-CS-32	32 oz clear rectangular deli container
World Centric	RD-CS-48	48 oz clear rectangular deli container
World Centric	RDL-CS-48	Lid for 32-48 oz clear rectangular deli container
World Centric	TR-SC-1418-LF	14×18” fiber serving tray
World Centric	FP-SC-2	48oz fiber folding takeout container
World Centric	TO-NT-8	46oz #8 bamboo paper takeout container
World Centric	TO-NT-8W	46oz #8 bamboo paper takeout container with window
World Centric	SW-NT-M	Medium bamboo paper sandwich wedge with window
World Centric	FC-NT-55	5.5oz bamboo paper fry scoop

* Mention of or referral to commercial products, services, and manufacturers herein is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by, nor the official policy or position of, the Department of Defense (DoD), any of its Components, or the U.S. Government.

Demonstration Sites

Field demonstrations of these products were conducted at the following DoD installations and co-located federal facilities to evaluate their performance in Military and FBI operational environments and to raise awareness of PFAS-free product availability:

• U.S. Military Academy Cadet Mess, U.S. Army Garrison West Point
• Building 1672 Dining Facility (DFAC), Fort McCoy
• Building 332 DFAC, Parks Reserve Forces Training Area
• Madigan Grille (Defense Health Agency), Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)
• Olympic DFAC (627 Force Support Squadron), JBLM
• Ike’s Café (Defense Health Agency), Fort Eisenhower
• FBI Academy Cafeteria, FBI Quantico

Demonstration Details

The demonstration plan outlined the demonstration activities that would be performed, provided an overview of the sites, summarized the selected facilities, and identified their requirements, the key performance criteria, and the products to be evaluated. Additionally, the plan noted the data to be collected, methods of analysis, and roles and responsibilities of demonstration participants and stakeholders.

Table 2 contains the key performance criteria that the DoD and FBI stakeholders established to evaluate and validate that these PFAS-free disposable food service ware products met the participants’ requirements.

Table 2: Demonstration Performance Criteria

Criteria	Parameters
Product Quality/ Physical Appearance	Cleanliness and Physical Defects Sharp Edges and Other Hazards Visible Loose Particles Odor
Product Sizing	Internal Dimensions External Dimensions
Product Ease of Use	Unpacking and Separating Supplies Product Handling
Product Physical Appearance	Durability Rigidity Grease/Soak Resistance Sealing/Security Insulation Impact on Food
User Physical Response	Presence of physical (e.g., allergic) reactions
Overall Performance	Overall product performance in comparison to baseline

Collected data included user feedback regarding the following:

• Presence of foreign matter, oil stains or liquid marks, holes, tears, cuts, cracks, lumps, scuffs, buckled areas, delamination, blisters, distortion, malformation or warpage
• Presence of sharp edges or other hazards
• Presence or generation of visible dust or particles
• Presence of an objectionable or noteworthy odor
• Durability in comparison to baseline products
• Adequacy of product internal and external dimensions (e.g., holding capacity)
• Ease of unpacking, separating, and handling compared to baseline products
• Whether lids/closures fit tightly and securely
• Grease, soak, and leak resistance compared to baseline products
• Occurrence of weakening, softening, deformation, breakage, tearing, or cutting
• Whether the product imparted a noticeable taste, odor, or residue to food contents
• Ability to insulate user from hot contents compared to baseline products
• Presence of any user physical responses (e.g., allergic reaction)
• Overall performance compared to baseline products

Demonstration Results

• All products were clean and free of significant physical defect. The only issue identified was a minor aesthetic concern in which some fiber bowls and clamshells at two sites had some rough-cut edges. This may have been a production batch issue, as it was not reported at the other demonstration sites.
• No sites reported any products having sharp edges or other physical hazards.
• No sites reported the generation of visible dust or particles (e.g., when unstacking fiber products). One site noted loose particles were present in the plastic packaging around some clamshells but no loose particles were present on the products and were not generated during use.
• No sites reported any products having an objectionable or noteworthy odor.
• Feedback indicated that most demonstration PFAS-free disposable food service ware products were as durable and rigid as baseline products. The only significant issue related to weakening/softening of some fiber clamshells reported at three sites. This resulted in soak through and leaking at two of the three sites and may have been related to the physical properties of specific meals (heavier foods with thin liquids and ample moisture). No similar issues were reported at the other four sites. An attempt at one demonstration site in January 2024 to recreate leaking under the same conditions did not result in soak through or leaking, suggesting the issue may have been tied to a specific production batch.
• One site reported soak through of fiber plates when used for catering. Minor seepage was observed in one plate at another site after hot water was left in the plate for 30 minutes.
• Two respondents noted product breakage but this was limited to one individual spoon and one individual clamshell (likely due to soak through). No other respondents reported products breaking.
• There were no reported or observed instances of product deformation, cutting, or tearing. Bioplastic cutlery and straws were placed in hot water for 30 minutes and experienced no issues. Paper straws were placed in cranberry juice for 30 minutes and experienced no issues.
• Demonstration sites found product internal and external dimensions to be adequate. The only issue noted (by several sites) pertained to a 12 oz fiber barrel bowl being too small for certain applications (soup and salad). The bowl was 12 oz filled to the brim and narrower in form, thus being more suitable for other uses. This was not a performance issue with the product itself but did highlight the need to match specific product to specific intended application.
• Sites reported that ease of unpacking, separating, and handling supplies were similar to baseline.
• The majority of sites reported that lids and closures fit tightly and securely. Three sites stated that some cup lids did not fit as tightly as baseline products.
• The vast majority of sites stated that the demonstration products did not impart a noticeable taste, odor, or residue to food. Only two respondents (both customers) stated otherwise, without providing any details.
• Sites reported that demonstration products were similar to baseline in insulating users from the hot temperature of food contents.
• No sites noted an adverse user physical response to the products.
• The vast majority of respondents stated that overall performance was similar to baseline. Very few respondents stated that performance was either better or worse than baseline (whether plastic, plastic foam, fiber, or paper).
• On a per unit price basis, demonstration products were often in the same price range as baseline products. However, many factors can impact cost effectiveness at a specific site given the high-volume of purchase and short product service life. These can include volume of purchase, source of purchase, agricultural feedstock prices, desired product variant (e.g., PLA-laminated or barrier coated), etc. All these site-specific factors must be considered in determining cost effectiveness.

Finding PFAS-Free, Compostable, and Biobased Products

Country of origin restrictions apply to DoD and Federal agency procurement. Purchasers should consult their legal counsel and contracting authority prior to purchase to validate product compliance. Per DoDI 4105.67, the Buy American Act and Trade Agreements Act do not apply to Non-Appropriated Funds Instrumentalities purchases of resale items.

The Biodegradable Products Institute, Compost Manufacturing Alliance, and OK Compost websites list products certified to have no intentionally added PFAS, less than 100 parts per million total fluorine, and to be commercially compostable: https://products.bpiworld.org/, https://compostmanufacturingalliance.com/, and https://www.tuv-at.be/green-marks/certified-products/. The Biodegradable Products Institute is currently the only compostability ecolabel for food service ware recommended by the EPA for federal procurement (https://www.epa.gov/greenerproducts/recommendations-specifications-standards-and-ecolabels-federal-purchasing). NOTE: Although World Centric products were Biodegradable Products Institute certified at time of demonstration, the manufacturer subsequently decided to discontinue that certification in favor of OK Compost certification. Consequently, their products do not currently meet the Executive Order 14057 requirement to procure products certified under EPA recommended ecolabels.

The USDA BioPreferred Catalog (https://www.biopreferred.gov/BioPreferred/faces/catalog/Catalog.xhtml) includes a partial list of biobased disposable containers, tableware, and cutlery and provides contact information for the manufacturers.