Short answer: use a 6 inch clamshell for a single burger, a 9x6 inch for a burger and fries, and an 8x8 or 9 inch box for full meals and kebabs. If sides need to stay apart, choose a 3-compartment version. Every clamshell we sell is moulded bagasse, certified compostable to EN 13432 and/or OK compost standards.
Getting the box size wrong costs money twice. Too small and the burger is squashed, the lid will not close and the chips go cold. Too big and you pay for fibre you do not need, and the food slides around on the way to the customer. This guide sets out the clamshell sizes UK takeaways actually use, what fits in each one, and how to order them at trade prices.
| Clamshell | Outer size | Suits | Per carton |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 inch | 159 x 155 x 76mm | A single burger, a stacked sandwich or a side | 500 |
| 7x5 inch | 175 x 125 x 50mm | A wrap, a hot dog or a small, flatter main | 500 |
| 9x6 inch | 9 x 6 x 3 inch | A burger and fries, or a main | 200 or 250 |
| 8x8 inch | 200 x 220 x 76mm | A full meal | 200 |
| 8x8 inch, 3-compartment | 8 x 8 inch | A main with two sides kept apart | 200 |
| 9 inch | 9 x 9 x 2.5 inch | Kebabs, BBQ platters and full meals | 200 |
| 9 inch, 3-compartment | 229 x 229 x 76mm | A main with two sides, such as rice and salad | 200 |
Sizes are the outer measurements of the closed box. All of them are in our compostable clamshell containers range.
Start with your best-selling item, not your biggest. Many menus can run on two box sizes, and stocking fewer sizes keeps ordering simple.
If you are unsure between two sizes, order one carton of each and test them with your actual portions over a busy weekend. With multi-case pricing, cartons of different sizes count together towards the discount.
"Compostable" on its own tells a buyer very little. Under the UK Green Claims Code a claim should be specific, so look for the standard behind it.
| Mark | What it means |
|---|---|
| EN 13432 | The European standard for packaging that breaks down in industrial composting conditions within a set time. |
| OK compost INDUSTRIAL | A TÜV Austria certification for industrial composting, based on EN 13432. |
| OK compost HOME | A TÜV Austria certification for breaking down at the lower temperatures of a home compost heap. |
Our bagasse clamshells are certified compostable to EN 13432 and/or OK compost standards. In practice, compostable packaging only composts if it reaches a composting facility, so check what your commercial waste collector accepts before you tell customers where to put the box. Our Green Claims Code guide explains what you can safely say on your menu and social media.
Bagasse is the fibre left after sugarcane is pressed for its juice. It is moulded into a rigid, one-piece box with a hinged lid, so there is no separate lid to order or lose, and it holds hot and greasy food such as burgers and chips. Kraft paper boxes are folded from board and usually PE-lined for grease. They suit noodles, rice and stir-fries, and you will find them in our kraft takeaway boxes. For a fuller comparison of fibre and plant-based materials, read our bagasse vs PLA vs CPLA guide.
A burger rarely travels alone. A 60ml (2oz) pot suits ketchup, mayonnaise and dips, and a 120ml (4oz) pot suits coleslaw and sides. Both are in our sauce pots with lids range. For eat-in or events, our compostable bagasse plates run from 6 to 10 inch, and bagasse bowls cover loaded fries and salads.
Work from a normal week. A takeaway that sells 300 burgers a week gets through a 500-box carton of 6 inch clamshells in under two weeks, so one order a fortnight covers it. Keep a carton in hand for a busy weekend.
Ordering from us works the same way for every size:
The 9x6 inch clamshell. It has room for a burger at one end and a portion of chips at the other.
Yes. Our bagasse clamshells are certified compostable to EN 13432 and/or OK compost standards. Check what your waste collector accepts.
Yes. Bagasse holds hot and greasy food such as burgers and chips.
Yes. The discount counts any mix of multi-case products, so 2 cartons of 6 inch and 1 of 9x6 inch count as 3 cases.
Free next-day delivery on orders over £75 including VAT, from UK stock at our Birmingham distribution centre.
{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}
