Vegware

Browse our full range of Vegware plant-based, compostable packaging. Certified to EN 13432.

Cup Carriers

Flat Smoothie Lids

Rectangular Bowl Lids

Rectangular Kraft Bowls

Round Bowl Lids

Soup Container Lids

Takeaway Boxes

Wooden Cutlery

Vegware Cold Portion Pot

Portion Pot Lid

Vegware Cold Cup, 96 Series

Vegware Fairtrade Sugar Sticks, Wrap

Vegware Gourmet Base

Vegware Gourmet Dipping Base

Vegware Soup Container, 90 Series

Vegware Burger Box

Vegware Heavyweight Clamshell

Vegware Clamshell

Vegware Glassine Bag With NatureFlex Window

Vegware Food Bowl, 185-Series

Vegware Gourmet Lid (Size 4)

Vegware Flat Bag

Vegware Gourmet Lid (Size 3)

Vegware Single Wall Takeaway Hot Cups

Vegware Cold Cup, 76 Series

Vegware Bella Pot, 96-Series

Vegware Gallery Design Double Wall Hot Takeaway Cup, 89-Series

Vegware Feel Good Double Wall Hot Cup

Vegware Round Deli Container

Vegware Paper Cold Cup, 89-Series

Vegware Round Food Container

Vegware Therma Packaging

Vegware Double Wall Takeaway Cup

Vegware Window Bag

Vegware Soup Container, 115 Series

Paper Hot Cup Lids

Vegware Portion Pot

Vegware Unbleached Napkin

Vegware Hinged Lid Deli Container

Vegware Lid with Vents (185 Series)

Vegware Microflute Hinged Hot Box

Vegware Microflute Hinged Window Hot Box

Vegware Microflute Food Tray

Vegware Ice Cream Pot

Vegware Wide Bowl

Vegware Plate

Vegware Square Plate

Vegware Source-Reduced Plate

Striped Straws

Vegware Greaseproof Sheet

CPLA Hot Cup Lids

Vegware Plain Cold Cups

Vegware Unbleached Greaseproof Sheet

Vegware Feel Good Single Wall Hot Cup

Pint Cups

Domed Smoothie Lids

Paper Cutlery

Sandwich Packaging

Vegware Gourmet Lid (Size 5)

Vegware Lunch Box

Platter Box

Carry Packs

Ice Cream Spoons

Hot Cup Sleeves

Vegware is the UK's leading brand of plant-based, compostable food packaging. Every product in the range is certified to EN 13432, the European standard for industrial compostability, which means it breaks down fully in commercial composting facilities. For food service businesses looking to move away from conventional plastics without compromising on performance, Vegware offers a single-brand solution that covers cups, containers, bags, wraps, and lids. This guide explains what the range includes, how to choose the right products, and what to consider before committing to bulk orders.

Key Factors to Consider

What Vegware Actually Is

Vegware is a brand, not a material. The range uses several different base materials depending on the product type: bagasse (sugarcane fibre) for rigid containers and clamshells, PLA (a plant-based polymer derived from cornstarch) for clear cups and lids, and sustainably sourced kraft paperboard with PLA linings for hot cups and bags. All of these materials are industrially compostable, but they behave differently in use. Bagasse handles heat and grease well. PLA is clear and rigid but warps above 40°C. Kraft cups with PLA lining perform much like conventional paper cups but break down in composting. Knowing which material sits behind each product helps you choose the right item for each menu application.

The Product Range

The Vegware collection on Afida covers most of what a takeaway, cafe, or catering operation needs:

  • Hot food containers: Clamshells from 5in to 9in, burger boxes (standard and heavyweight), square lunch boxes, multi-compartment boxes, chip trays, gourmet bases from 340ml up to 1800ml, soup cups, kraft food bowls, and microflute corrugated hot boxes. Handles hot, greasy food without softening or leaking.
  • Lids: Bagasse lids, PLA clear lids, and window lids in multiple sizes (Size 3, 4, and 5). Matching lids to containers by size number is essential. PLA lids give visibility for cold food displays; bagasse lids suit hot dishes and stacking.
  • Cups and drinks: Single wall and double wall hot cups in 10oz, 12oz, 16oz, and 20oz, plus PLA clear cold cups in the 96-Series and paper cold cups in the 89-Series. Kraft brown, white, and printed designs (Green Britain, Green Tree, Gallery, Feel Good). One lid covers 12oz and 16oz cups in the same series.
  • Cold food and salads: Kraft sandwich wedges and cartons, PLA salad boxes with windows, Bella Pots in 3oz to 12oz, cold portion pots, and therma bags for chilled delivery. Suits delis, meal-prep operations, and lunchtime cold service.
  • Tableware: Bagasse plates and bowls in round, square, rectangular, and oval formats, paper and wood cutlery loose and in kits, paper napkins from cocktail size to large dinner, and platter boxes with modular inserts. Designed for dine-in, events, and casual catering.
  • Bags and wraps: Kraft flat bags (white and brown, multiple sizes), kraft window bags, glassine bags with home-compostable NatureFlex windows, greaseproof sheets and burger wraps (plain and Green Tree print), and ovenable wrap. Therma bags for hot delivery, glassine bags for premium bakery and deli items.
  • Supplies and essentials: Round stickers for sealing and labelling takeaway bags, and Completely compostable bin liners from 8L under-counter caddies through 240L wheelie bins. The back-of-house counterpart that closes the compostable loop.

Sizing and Compatibility

Vegware uses a numbered sizing system for containers and lids. Gourmet bases and their lids are grouped by Size 3, Size 4, and Size 5. A Size 4 lid fits all Size 4 gourmet bases regardless of capacity. This simplifies stock management considerably: you can offer 340ml, 500ml, and 650ml portions using different bases but the same lid. Before ordering, confirm which size group each base falls into and stock the matching lids accordingly.

For cups, the 89-Series covers hot cups and paper cold cups with a consistent 89mm rim diameter. The 96-Series covers PLA cold cups with a 96mm rim. Do not mix lids between series.

Sustainability and Certification

Every Vegware product carries EN 13432 certification for industrial composting. This is a genuine, audited standard, not a vague "eco-friendly" claim. However, industrial composting requires commercial facilities that process at sustained high temperatures. Not all UK council waste collections accept compostable packaging, and putting Vegware in a home compost bin will not produce the same results.

Before marketing your packaging as compostable to customers, check whether your local waste collection or a nearby commercial composter accepts these materials. If they do, Vegware gives you a credible, certified sustainability story. If they do not, the packaging will likely end up in landfill regardless of its certification. Being upfront about this builds more trust than overpromising.

Cost and Value

Vegware products carry a premium over generic equivalents. Double wall hot cups start from around £7 per pack of 25 (roughly 28p per cup), compared to 15-20p for a non-branded compostable alternative. Bagasse clamshells range from £9 to £28 per case depending on size and weight. The premium buys you consistent quality, a recognised brand that customers associate with sustainability, and a single certification standard across your entire packaging setup.

The cost argument works best when you are already committed to compostable packaging. If you are comparing Vegware against standard plastic or polystyrene, the per-unit cost is significantly higher. But if the comparison is Vegware against other compostable brands, the price gap narrows and the consistency of the range becomes the advantage: one supplier, one certification, and products that are designed to work together.

Heavyweight vs Standard Containers

Vegware offers heavyweight versions of several bagasse clamshells and burger boxes. Heavyweight options use thicker walls and reinforced hinges, making them better suited to saucy, heavy, or stacked dishes. Standard weight containers handle most dry or lightly sauced food well and cost less per unit. If your menu includes loaded burgers, curries, or dishes with gravy, test the heavyweight option before settling on standard. The hinge on a standard clamshell can weaken with very heavy contents or repeated opening and closing.

Branding Considerations

Vegware products carry the Vegware branding and design language (Green Tree, Feel Good, Gallery prints, etc.). This is a selling point if your customers recognise and trust the brand, which many environmentally conscious consumers do. However, it means your packaging carries someone else's branding rather than your own. For businesses that want their own logo on compostable cups, custom printing is available on minimum orders (typically 5,000+ units). Alternatively, a branded sleeve or sticker over a plain Vegware cup gives you the best of both: certified compostable packaging with your own identity on it.

Pro Tips

  • Start by mapping your menu to Vegware's size groups. If most of your portions fit Size 4 containers, you only need one lid SKU for multiple base sizes, which cuts stock complexity and waste.
  • Order sample packs of both standard and heavyweight clamshells and test them with your heaviest, sauciest dish. The difference in performance is noticeable and the heavyweight cost is justified if it prevents leaks and customer complaints.
  • If you serve both hot and cold drinks, standardise on the 89-Series where possible. A single lid fitting your 12oz and 16oz hot cups reduces the number of products you need to manage behind the counter.
  • Check your local council's food waste or commercial composting arrangements before printing "100% compostable" on your menus. The claim is technically accurate, but only if the infrastructure exists to process it.

Summary

Vegware offers a comprehensive, certified compostable packaging range that covers hot food containers, cups, lids, bags, and wraps under a single brand. The main advantages are consistency across the range, EN 13432 certification on everything, and a brand name that carries weight with sustainability-minded customers. The trade-off is a per-unit premium over generic alternatives and limited scope for custom branding without minimum order quantities. For food service businesses committed to compostable packaging, stocking Vegware simplifies purchasing, ensures compliance, and gives your operation a credible environmental position that stands up to scrutiny.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegware

Is Afida an official Vegware stockist?

Yes. We are an official UK stockist of Vegware and carry their core range of compostable cups, containers, cutlery and packaging by the case, with next-working-day dispatch on stock items.

Is Vegware compostable, and how do I dispose of it?

Vegware is made from plants (PLA, bagasse, paper, board) and is certified to EN 13432 for industrial composting, so it needs a commercial composting or food-waste route rather than a home compost heap for most lines. Check the spec on each product page.

What is the difference between Vegware PLA and bagasse?

PLA is a clear or lined plant-based alternative to plastic, ideal for cold cups and deli boxes. Bagasse is moulded sugarcane fibre: rigid, microwave and oven safe, and naturally grease-resistant, which suits hot mains and curries.

Can I get free Vegware samples first?

Yes. Samples are free and you only pay delivery. Order a free sample pack of the Vegware lines you want to test, trial them in service, then order full cases.

Not sure yet? Try a sample first.

Pick from the sample range, pay the delivery fee, and test it in your own kitchen before you commit to a full order.

Order Your Free Samples

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