Wholesale Plastic Containers for the Food Industry - BlueCart

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Plastic has thousands of applications in our daily lives and it’s everywhere around us. Buying wholesale plastic containers is convenient for restaurants that get a lot of takeout and delivery online orders. After the pandemic, the restaurant industry has been growing significantly online. However, with the current plastic pollution levels, a lot of environmentally-conscious businesses are switching from plastic to compostable alternatives when ordering restaurant supplies. In this blog article, we’ll dive deeper into the industry of wholesale plastic containers and their applications for businesses in the food and beverage industry. We’ll also share some tips on how to minimize the use of plastic.

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What Businesses in the Food Industry Buy Wholesale Plastic Containers

Restaurants and Fast Food Chains

Food-serving establishments buy wholesale plastic goods for a variety of reasons. Among the main applications of plastic containers is takeout containers. They can also be used for storing food. Disposable tableware, utensils, and drinkware are also often made out of plastic.

Fast food restaurants also partner with wholesale businesses and purchase wholesale plastic containers. The same goes for other small food-serving companies such as food trucks and food stands. As they often serve customers on the go, they constantly need plastic goods.

Catering Companies

Trays and platters are just some of the items that are needed to cater an event. Catering businesses often use various types of plastic containers for food. In addition, both event planning and catering companies require different colors and types of containers in order to match the event’s needs. That’s why they prefer to find suppliers that can offer customizations and a wide range of products.

Bakeries, Coffee Shops, and Cafeterias

These establishments often serve hot and cold beverages to go. In addition, they sell various desserts, small dishes, and various snacks. That’s often done in plastic cups or food containers. They benefit from the lower wholesale price per unit and count on distributors of wholesale plastic containers and other goods.

Key takeaway: Even though businesses strive to use less plastic goods, they still have lots of applications in restaurants and other food industry businesses. The most purchased wholesale plastic containers and other goods include drinkware, tableware, cutlery, containers, and other small goods.

Most Frequently Used Plastic Goods by Restaurants

Even though food establishments are actively trying to reduce the amount of plastic used, there are still many applications for it. Let’s dive a little deeper into the main ones.

1. Food storage containers. Venues buy wholesale plastic containers with lids in order to store food leftovers, ingredients, and prepped food. These containers can vary in size depending on the needs of the restaurant.
2. Drinkware, cutlery, and tableware. It’s common for fast food restaurants to serve their orders with disposable plates, utensils, and cups. Plastic cups can be used for both hot and cold beverages. One of the recent restaurant industry trends is to introduce a deposit return scheme for cups and other tableware. That way, the cups can be washed and used again.
3. To-go containers. Delivery and takeout orders are a big percentage of a restaurant’s business. That’s why venues often work with distributors and purchase wholesale plastic containers for food deliveries or takeout orders. There are a wide variety of sizes and forms to match different dishes like burgers, sushi, or soup.
4. Tablecloths. Restaurants that use tablecloths might choose to order plastic ones. They allow waiters to quickly prepare the table for the next guests. No matter if they are plastic or cotton, ordering wholesale table cloths means a lower price per unit.
5. Other plastic goods. Straws, bags, wraps, and other small items are all necessary in a food-serving establishment. Luckily, compostable alternatives are emerging on the market. However, it will take time for businesses to fully switch to wholesale paper goods and stop using plastic goods.

How Businesses Can Reduce Plastic Usage

A lot of customers are actively trying to lower their plastic footprint. That’s why restaurants should strongly consider purchasing less wholesale plastic containers and goods. Not only is that better for the environment, but it can also be used as part of their restaurant marketing efforts. Allow us to share a few ideas on how to do so.

1. Use eco-friendly containers. There are numerous compostable options on the market. Even though some of them are more expensive than plastic ones, you can allow customers to choose the type of takeout container.
2. Introduce reusable options. Fast food chains can serve meals and drinks in reusable cups and containers. This can be done via a return scheme where customers get money back if they return their containers to the counter.
3. Purchase in bulk. Items like wholesale cleaning supplies can be ordered in different sizes. The bigger the size, the less plastic is used. It’s both eco-friendly and comes at a lower price per unit to order wholesale janitorial supplies in large quantities.
4. Organize “bring your own plate” campaigns. Environmentally-conscious businesses are organizing campaigns where customers can bring their own cups, plates, or cutlery in order to avoid being served in single-use containers.
5. Replace small plastic items with items of sustainable materials. Straws, stirrers, utensils, and other small items don’t have to be made of plastic. Instead, they can be made out of bamboo or cardboard.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wholesale Plastic Containers

Even though everyone uses plastic goods on a daily basis, you might have questions on the topic. We have answered some of the common questions on the topic of wholesale plastic goods in the next few paragraphs.

How to Find Eco-Friendly Plastic Containers?

Products labeled as recyclable or recycled are produced from environmentally friendly materials. Companies and consumers strive to reduce their plastic footprint on nature. The easiest way to do so is by switching to eco-friendly plastic or other alternatives. It’s not only good for the planet but can be beneficial for your business too. One of the main benefits of buying wholesale plastic containers is that they can be washed and refilled. So, a company can cut costs by investing in multi-use plastic containers instead of single-use ones.

What Types of Plastics Are Used in the Food Industry?

There are six main types of plastic used for food packaging. They all have different applications, pros, and cons.

1. PET plastic. This is one of the most frequently used types of plastic in the food industry. Products made from PET are clear, durable, and recyclable. Their disadvantage is that they are not heat-resistant.
2. LDPE plastic. Even though it’s not heat-resistant, it’s very flexible. Most times, this plastic is used for bags.
3. PP plastic. It has great resistance to chemicals and heat. Wholesale plastic containers from polypropylene should not be reused many times as they can become toxic with time.
4. PS plastic. You will often see this type of plastic used for packaging of many things. However, it’s not recyclable. Thus, instead of buying wholesale cups or tableware from polystyrene, companies tend to switch to compostable alternatives.
5. PVC plastic. It has many advantages over other types of plastics. However, the production of PVC plastics has a high toll on the environment.
6. HDPE plastic. This very strong plastic is used for milk jugs and other large containers. You can see it used as a container for wholesale soap, wholesale sanitizer, and other chemicals.

What to Consider When Buying Wholesale Plastic Containers?

The main factors that should be taken into account when purchasing wholesale plastic containers are material, durability, and size. Furthermore, cost is also a major factor when picking a distributor of restaurant supplies.

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Bulk buying isn’t just for canned goods and toilet paper. Tinfoil, cleaning supplies and toiletries also have a long shelf life. And with inflation ticking up and growing concerns over the impact of tariffs on consumer prices, loading up on certain household staples can help you stretch your budget.

Still, buying in bulk is a commitment. Before you make a purchase, ask yourself: Will I use it? How long does it last? And do I have room to store it? The third question is key, says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst at DealNews. “Buying in bulk, in general, can make a lot of sense,” she says, “but cluttering up your home doesn’t.”

So, what should you consider buying in large quantities? Here are 10 long-lasting products that are often worth purchasing in bulk.

1. Trash bags

Shelf life: no expiration

This household good won’t go stale — plastic bags (sadly) don’t readily decompose. If you have the space, it’s worth stockpiling, says Ramhold. “Some families wait for certain brands to go on sale at the local grocery store and stock up; others just go to Costco and pick up trash bags” in bulk, she says. 

2. Ziplock plastic bags

Shelf life: no expiration

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Ziplock bags are handy for all sorts of storage needs — snacks, sandwiches, craft supplies and more. So there’s no reason to not stock up, Ramhold says.​ To eke out savings, consider cleaning and reusing ziplock bags.

3. Tinfoil, plastic wrap and parchment paper

Shelf life: no expiration

If you have storage space, these products are worth stocking up on. They don’t expire, and if you love to cook or bake, they’re essential to have in your kitchen.

4. Toothpaste

Shelf life: two years 

Toothpaste can be an ideal buy-in-bulk product because we use it daily. But don’t overshop — generally, toothpaste has only a two-year shelf life. After that, some ingredients begin to lose their effectiveness.

5. Shampoo and conditioner

Shelf life: one to three years

Technically, shampoo and conditioner don’t expire, but many manufacturers list a “period after opening” date on the back of the bottle. Look for an open-can symbol with a number and the letter M beneath it — that will tell you the recommended time of use after the bottle has been opened. For example, Garnier shampoo has a shelf life of 12 months, Pantene shampoo is best to use within 36 months and Maui Moisture conditioner is best when used within 18 months, according to the brands.

6. Underwear, undershirts and socks

Shelf life: no expiration

“Things like tank tops, undershirts and basics that you need to wear under something are good bulk purchases,” says Ramhold. The savings can be substantial: For example, a six-pack of boxer briefs typically costs significantly less than if you were to buy six boxer briefs individually. The same pricing advantage applies to other undergarments and socks sold in bulk.

7. Bar soap

Shelf life: two to three years

​You won’t find an expiration date on a bar of soap’s packaging, but most tend to have a shelf life of two to three years. (Natural bar soaps typically have a shorter shelf life because they don’t contain artificial preservatives.) Likewise, body wash and shower gels generally last two to three years after opening.

8. Cleaning supplies

Shelf life: six months to two years

​Cleaning products tend to lose efficacy the longer they sit in storage, but how quickly depends on the product. For instance, bleach generally lasts only six months after the container is opened, while most multisurface cleaners last up to two years. Liquid laundry detergent will remain effective six to nine months after opening, while hand sanitizer can last two to three years.

9. Batteries

Shelf life: 10 to 20 years

Bulk-buying batteries can save you money and come in handy when emergencies strike. After all, nobody wants to be left in the dark during a blackout or a storm because the flashlight batteries are dead. Batteries have a really long shelf life — up to 10 years for most regular batteries and up to 20 years for most lithium batteries when stored in cool, dry conditions. Two exceptions: 9-volt batteries last up to five years, and rechargeable batteries typically last up to one year.

10. HVAC filters

Shelf life: no expiration

When forced-air heating, ventilating and cooling (HVAC) system filters get dirty, it’s bad for your health and your wallet. That’s because dirty filters can negatively affect your indoor air quality and force your HVAC system to work harder, raising your energy bills. Most air filters should be replaced every three to 12 months, depending on the size and thickness of the filter and whether your home has a pet. Buying filters in bulk, especially if your home has more than one heating and air conditioning system, means you’ll never be empty-handed when you need a clean one. Plus, multipacks are often sold at a discount.

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