Making a difference, one cup at a time
International Paper developed ecotainer® packaging to reduce the environmental impact of traditional packaging without sacrificing its functionality.
Made in the USA from fully renewable resources, sustainable wood fiber and plants, the ecotainer® product line includes multiple sizes of hot cups, cold cups, common lids and food containers.
All feature an FDA-approved, liquid-resistant PLA lining made from Ingeo™– a Natureworks® biopolymer derived entirely from SFI® certified, domestically grown plant resources, not petroleum.
Unique, PLA-Coated Paperboard Construction
Tree fibers used for ecotainer® cups are grown and sourced in the USA through a system independently certified to adhere to SFI® (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) guidelines for forest management and harvesting. No trees from old-growth or endangered forests are used.
The raw plant material used to make ecotainer® cup lids and the water-resistant lining in ecotainer® cups is grown in the USA. Domestically made into Ingeo™ biopolymer by NatureWorks, LLC, this PLA is not water-soluble and will not dissolve in use with hot or cold beverages.
More than two-thirds of the energy used to manufacture paperboard for ecotainer® cups comes from renewable resources. And production of Ingeo™ requires significantly less energy than comparable quantities of polyethylene used in traditional packaging.
International Paper uses an elemental, chlorine-free bleaching process and water-based, CONEG inks for flexography printing.
Compost or Recycle?
While paper is generally biodegradable, the traditional coatings used in hot and cold cups often prevent them from meeting compostability requirements. The conventional paper coffee cup/hot liquid container is lined with a petroleum-based plastic (polyethylene) to prevent leaking.The Ingeo™ material used in ecotainer® cup coatings and lids is certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) to meet ASTM D6400 standards for compostability — meaning the products will decompose under requisite conditions in an actively managed commercial or municipal composting facility.
That makes ecotainer the only paper hot cup made from fully renewable materials-a small but important step toward a more sustainable future.
Both ecotainer® cups and lids can be recycled in municipalities that accept poly-coated paperboard and packaging.
Enhance your brand name and deliver your message
Hot cups and soup containers from ecotainer® can be custom printed in up to 4 colors with water based, CONEG and FDA approved inks that are safe for the environment. Contact Natureworks Packaging for more details.
Cold Cups & Lids
ecotainer®
These PLA-lined cold cups from ecotainer® are a biobased alternative to traditional cold cups lined with petroleum-based plastic. Made from annually renewable, plant-based resources, they have a moisture-proof Ingeo™ PLA lining made from plants (instead of petrochemicals). 100% biodegradable and compostable in a municipal or commercial composting facility.
CP Custom Printing Available
• Attractive leaf-motif stock print design
• For cold food applications only
• BPI certified
• ASTM D6400 certified 100% compostable*
• Made from annually renewable, sustainably harvested trees grown on SFI® certified plantations
ecotainer® Stock Print Cold Cups
Item # Description Case
250-30012 12-oz. (360ml) Stock Print Cold Cup 1000
250-30016 16-oz. (480ml) Stock Print Cold Cup 1000
250-30022 22-oz. (660ml) Stock Print Cold Cup 1000
250-30032 32-oz. (960ml) Stock Print Cold Cup 500
Made to fit ecotainer® cold cups, these flat, translucent lids are made from Ingeo™ — a biopolymer derived from annually renewable, plant-based resources, not petroleum. Biodegradable and ASTM D6400 certified 100% compostable in a municipal or commercial compost facility.
ecotainer® Cold Cup Lids
Item # Description Case
250-35022 12/16/22-oz.(360-660ml) Cold Cup Lid 2000
250-35032 32-oz. (960ml) Cold Cup Lid 1000
Greenware® crystal clear cold cups and lids are made in the USA of Ingeo™ — a Natureworks® biopolymer derived entirely from renewable, domestically grown plant resources, not petroleum. Using up to 68% less fossil fuel energy to produce than traditional plastic, premium quality Greenware® products are sturdy, strong, 100% biobased and compostable in a municipal or commercial composting facility.
CP Custom Printing Available
• For cold food applications only
• Smooth, rolled rim for drinking comfort
• Resistant to flavor and odor transfer
• Leak-proof, common size, snap fit flat lids with and without slots
• BPI certified
• ASTM D6400 certified compostable
Compostable lids for ecotainer® Hot Cups
These lids fit ecotainer® hot cups and are made from Ingeo™ — a biopolymer derived from annually renewable, plant-based resources. Biobased and ASTM D6400 certified 100% compostable in a municipal or commercial composting facility.
Compostable lids for ecotainer® Hot Cups
Item # Description Case
620-05508 Compostable Lid for 8-oz. (240ml) Hot Cups 1000
250-04416 ecotainer Lid for 10/12/16/20/24-oz(300-720ml) Cups 1200
Polystyrene Lids for ecotainer™ Hot Cups
These traditional polystyrene sip lids fit our ecotainer® hot cups. Available in either black or white, they are recyclable in municipalities where polystyrene (#6) is accepted.
Polystyrene Lids for ecotainer™ Hot Cups
Item # Description Case
250-03008 White Lid for ecotainer 8-oz. (240ml) Hot Cups 1000
250-03108 Black Lid for ecotainer 8-oz. (240ml) Hot Cups 1000
250-03016 White Lid for ecotainer
10/12/16/20/24-oz. (300-720ml) Hot Cups 1200
250-03116 Black Lid for ecotainer
10/12/16/20/24-oz. (300-720ml) Hot Cups 1200
ecotainer® Cup Buddy® Natural Cup Sleeve
Item # Description Case
250-00200 Cup Buddy® Natural Cup Sleeve 120
Wood Stir Sticks
Made from sustainably harvested, annually renewable white birch, these extra long stir sticks with classic rounded ends work well even in tall cups (20 oz.(600ml) Biodegradable, 100% compostable, and a nature-based alternative to plastic stir straws.
ecotainer® Soup / Food Containers
Item # Description Case
250-10008 8-oz. (240ml) Soup/Food Container 1000
250-10012 12-oz. (360ml) Soup/Food Container 1000
250-10016 16-oz. (480ml) Squat Soup/Food Container 500
250-10032 32-oz. (960ml) Soup/Food Container 500
ecotainer®
These tight fitting, leakproof plastic lids will keep both hot and cold foods and liquids secure inside ecotainer® soup and food containers. (They are not compostable.)
ecotainer® Soup / Food Container Lids
Item # Description Case
250-15016 8-oz. (240ml) Soup/Food Container Lid 1000
250-11012 12-oz. (360ml) Soup/Food Container Lid 1000
250-11032 16/32-oz. (480/960ml) Soup/Food Container Lid 500
Paper Soup/Food Containers
These heavy duty paper containers and lids for soup and food are a sustainable alternative to styrofoam. Polyethylene lined, they are leakproof, moisture proof and suitable for a wide range of foods from frozen to hot-fill applications (up to 190°F).