Short answer: aluminium foil is the usual choice for hot, oily and gravy dishes and oven reheating; bagasse (sugarcane fibre) for plates and bowls served on the spot; kraft and white paper for dry and fried food, cups and snacks; microwavable plastic containers for takeaway meals with lids; and clear plastic for cold food that customers should see. These are general guidelines: always check the product label for heat and food-contact instructions.
The table compares the materials A1 Traders stocks in Lahore, with the sizes given in the product names. Each material links to its category or material page: aluminium foil, bagasse, kraft paper, paper and board and plastic.
Materials compared
What A1 Traders lists in each material, with sizes from the product names, and what the material is generally suited to.
| Material | What A1 Traders lists | Generally suited to | Check before use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium foil | F1 to F3 rectangular containers with lid 450 ml to 1100 ml; 2 and 4 portion containers and P1 to P3 round containers. | Hot, oily and gravy dishes such as curries, biryani and karahi; catering trays; baking and reheating in a conventional oven. | Keep foil out of the microwave unless both the label and the microwave's manual allow it. If the lid is paper or board, remove it before heating in the oven; check the label. Thin foil can dent, so stack filled containers carefully. |
| Bagasse (sugarcane fibre) | Plates 6 inch to 10 inch; bowls 18 oz and 1000 ml; sauce dip cups 1 oz to 4 oz; a burger box and a meal tray; most bagasse product names say Biodegradable. | Meals eaten on the spot at events, stalls and dhabas: rice, curries and snacks on plates and in bowls; plastic-free menus. | Wet food left standing for a long time can soften fibre, so test with your own dish. The bagasse listings make no microwave or oven claim. |
| Kraft paper | Food boxes 500 ml to 1200 ml; round bowls 750 ml to 1300 ml; food jars with lid 8 oz to 32 oz; double wall coffee cups 10 oz to 16 oz; burger, zinger, bakery and sandwich boxes. | Dry and fried food (burgers, zinger, fries, sandwiches), bakery items and salads; takeaway with a brown-paper look. | Paper can absorb oil and moisture over time. For gravies, check the label for a lining or coating, or test first. |
| White paper and bleach card | Paper cups 6 oz to 12 oz and 140 ml to 200 ml; paper bowls 8 oz to 16 oz and 80 ml to 1000 ml; paper buckets 500 ml to 3000 ml; bleach card burger boxes, trays, fries pouches and cup carriers. | Tea and coffee, chaat, fries, snacks and family buckets; burgers, sandwiches and fries in bleach card boxes and pouches. | Some paper items are coated (for example the plastic-coated cupcake liner), so read the product name and label if you need plastic-free packaging. |
| Microwavable plastic containers | Black containers with lid 150 ml to 3000 ml; clear containers with lid 150 ml to 3000 ml; including 2 to 5 compartment versions. | Rice, curries and meal boxes for takeaway and delivery, where a lid and compartments help. | These are listed as Microwavable in the product name: follow the heating instructions on the label. The names do not state the plastic type. |
| Clear plastic: PET boxes, deli containers, glasses | Hinged deli containers 8 oz to 32 oz; juice glasses 9 oz to 22 oz; PET hinged food boxes listed by model code, and egg cartons for 6 or 12 eggs. | Cold and room-temperature food that customers should see: salads, desserts, cut fruit, bakery items, eggs and cold drinks. | Clear plastic of this kind is generally meant for cold or room-temperature food, not for heating. The PET hinged food boxes and the egg cartons are named as PET; for other clear items, check the label. |
Which material for which food
- Gravy and curry: aluminium foil containers with lids, or microwavable plastic containers with lids for delivery. Paper and kraft are generally better for drier food.
- Dry and fried snacks: kraft boxes, bleach card fries pouches and burger boxes, and white paper buckets and bowls.
- Hot or cold: paper cups for hot drinks; clear plastic containers, deli containers and PET boxes for cold food and drinks.
- Presentation: clear containers show desserts and salads, kraft gives a brown-paper look, bagasse plates suit events and plastic-free menus, and tin boxes and acrylic dessert cups suit gifts.
- Delivery: choose containers that close (listed with a lid) and test one with your own dish on a real ride before a bulk order. See delivery packaging and restaurant packaging.
- Reheating: follow the label. Foil is generally for conventional ovens (take off a paper or board lid first; check the label), containers named Microwavable are meant for the microwave as their label says, and the bagasse and paper listings make no microwave claim.
Plastic rules in Pakistan
Rules on single-use plastic in Pakistan differ by province and by item, and they change over time. Our post Pakistan's plastic ban 2026 summarises what has been announced; check the current rules for your city before you switch your whole range. This guide is not legal advice.
If you are moving away from plastic, most bagasse items are listed as biodegradable and kraft and white paper replace many plastic boxes, bowls and cups. Some paper items are coated, so read the product name and label.
Products in this guide
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F1 Aluminium Foil Container with Lid 450 ml.jpg)
P3 Round Aluminium Foil Container with Lid.jpg)
10 inch Bagasse Round Plate (Biodegradable).jpg)
Kraft Rectangular Food Box 750 ml.jpg)
White Paper Bowl 12 oz.jpg)
Microwavable Black Rectangular Container with Lid 500 ml.jpg)
Microwavable Round Plastic Bowl with Lid - 500 ml (Clear).jpg)
16 oz Plastic Hinged Deli Container (Clear Clamshell Box)
Prices, pieces per pack and minimum order are on each product page and are confirmed in your WhatsApp quotation.
Frequently asked questions
Which food container is good for hot gravy?
Aluminium foil containers with lids and microwavable plastic containers with lids are the usual choices for hot gravy and curry. Paper and kraft containers are generally better for drier food unless the label says they are lined for wet food.
Can I put foil containers in the microwave?
Generally no. Use foil containers in a conventional oven (if the lid is paper or board, remove it first and check the label), and only use a microwave if both the container label and the microwave's manual allow it.
Are A1 Traders' bagasse products biodegradable?
Most are listed as biodegradable: the bagasse plates, sauce dip cups, burger box, meal tray and 18 oz salad bowl say Biodegradable in their names, while the 1000 ml salad bowls with flat lid do not, so check their label. Bagasse is made from sugarcane fibre. How quickly any material breaks down depends on how it is disposed of, so check the product label.
What is the difference between kraft and white paper packaging?
Kraft is brown paper, used for boxes, bowls, jars and cups with a natural look; white paper and bleach card are used for cups, bowls, buckets, trays and fries pouches with a clean white look. Both are generally used for dry or lightly oily food unless the label says they are lined.
Which plastic containers are microwavable?
The black and clear rectangular, round and square containers with lids are listed as Microwavable in their product names. Follow the heating instructions on the label. Clear PET boxes are generally for cold food.
Is plastic food packaging banned in Pakistan?
Rules on single-use plastic differ by province and by item and change over time. Read our Pakistan plastic ban 2026 post for what has been announced, and check the current rules with your local authority. This guide is not legal advice.