A bagasse clamshell is a one-piece hinged food box molded from sugarcane fiber, with the lid and base formed together and a locking tab; a bagasse burger box is a compact clamshell sized for burgers and sandwiches. To choose one, start from the menu: pick the footprint for the portion — about 6 × 6 in for a burger, 9 × 6 in for meals and wraps, 8 × 8 or 9 × 9 in for full combo meals — add compartments if sides and sauces must stay apart, and test the closed box in a delivery bag.
This guide covers clamshell formats and sizes, which box suits which dish, hot and greasy food in delivery, bagasse compared with paper and foam boxes, the EU rules that apply and what to ask a supplier.
What Is a Bagasse Clamshell?
Bagasse is the fiber left after sugarcane stalks are crushed for their juice. The fiber is pulped, formed in heated molds under pressure and trimmed. A clamshell is molded in one piece: base, hinge and lid together, with a locking tab that holds the lid shut. Ekoroll bagasse clamshells are 100% bagasse, home compostable (TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost HOME; the certificate is held by the producing mill and a copy is available on request), PFAS-free, water- and oil-resistant, microwave- and freezer-safe and suitable for hot and cold food.
Clamshell Formats and Sizes
| Format | Typical size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Burger box | about 6 × 6 in (15 × 15 cm) | Single burgers, sandwiches, pastries |
| Rectangular clamshell | about 9 × 6 in (23 × 15 cm), roughly 800–1,200 ml | Meals, wraps, kebabs, mixed takeaway |
| Square clamshell, 1 compartment | about 8 × 8 in or 9 × 9 in | Large burgers with fries, full meals |
| Square clamshell, 2 or 3 compartments | about 8 × 8 in or 9 × 9 in | Mains with sides and salad, combo menus |
| Rectangular clamshell, 2 compartments | about 9 × 6 in | Main and side, rice and curry |
Sizes vary by range; ask for the current size list and test with your own portions.
Which Clamshell for Which Dish?
- Burgers: a 6 × 6 in burger box for a single burger; a square 8 × 8 or 9 × 9 in box when fries go in the same box.
- Burger and fries combos: a square box with two compartments keeps fries away from the burger’s juices and sauces.
- Kebabs, wraps and grills: a rectangular 9 × 6 in clamshell gives length for wraps and skewers.
- Mains with rice and salad: a three-compartment square box keeps hot and cold parts apart.
- Very saucy dishes and curries in delivery: a compartment clamshell or a dedicated leak-resistant container.
Hot, Greasy Food and Delivery
Hot burgers and fried food release steam and grease. Three things keep them right in a bagasse clamshell:
- Let very hot food breathe for a moment before closing, so steam does not soften the bun or fries.
- Separate wet and crisp items with a compartment layout.
- Do not overfill — the locking tab must close without pressure on the food.
Test before ordering: pack your hottest and greasiest dish, close the box, put it in a delivery bag with drinks and other boxes, carry it for a typical trip, then check the tab, the base and the crispness of fries.
Bagasse vs Paper vs Foam Burger Boxes
| Bagasse clamshell | Paper / kraft burger box | EPS foam box | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | One-piece molded fiber with hinge and tab | Folded paperboard, flat-packed | Molded expanded polystyrene |
| Rigidity | Rigid; holds shape in delivery bags | Lighter; depends on board | Light and rigid |
| Steam and grease | Water- and oil-resistant fiber (Ekoroll bagasse) | Depends on the barrier coating | Resists grease |
| Branding | Plain, embossed or custom-shaped with dedicated molds | Full-color logo print is easy | Limited |
| Storage | Nested stacks | Flat-packed, compact | Nested stacks |
| EU market | No plastic layer | Plastic-lined boxes count as single-use plastic food containers | EPS food containers are banned |
| Best for | Hot burgers and meals in delivery | Counter service, branding | — (not allowed in the EU) |
Many brands use both bagasse and paper: paper or kraft burger, taco and fries boxes for branded counter service, bagasse clamshells for delivery. See also our guide to paper takeaway boxes wholesale.
EU Rules for Burger Boxes and Clamshells
- Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU) 2019/904. Article 5 bans food containers made of expanded polystyrene, including boxes with or without a cover used for food eaten immediately from the container. Food containers made wholly or partly of other plastics, including plastic-lined paper and bio-based plastics such as PLA according to the Commission’s guidelines, fall under consumption-reduction measures and extended producer responsibility.
- Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40. Since 12 August 2026, food-contact packaging containing PFAS above set limits may not be placed on the EU market. Ekoroll bagasse is PFAS-free.
- Food contact. Ask every supplier for a declaration of compliance under Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
For the full picture, see bagasse vs plastic food containers and our bagasse meal box guide.
What to Ask a Supplier
- Exact dimensions of base and lid, and capacity in ml.
- Compartment layouts available for each footprint.
- Closure: how the locking tab holds in delivery; ask for samples to test.
- Documentation: home or industrial compostability certificate and its holder, PFAS status, food-contact declaration.
- Packing: units per sleeve and carton, carton size and weight.
- Custom development: whether new footprints or layouts can be made with dedicated molds, and the minimum order for them.
- Lead time and minimum order: confirmed in the quote.
Bagasse Burger Boxes and Clamshells from Ekoroll
Ekoroll supplies bagasse clamshell boxes — burger boxes, rectangular and square clamshells, and two- and three-compartment layouts — and bagasse meal trays with separate lids for catering. Like all Ekoroll bagasse, they are home compostable and 100% bagasse (TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost HOME), PFAS-free, water- and oil-resistant, microwave- and freezer-safe, and suitable for hot and cold food. For branded counter service, we also supply paper burger, taco and fries boxes. See the whole range in our bagasse packaging guide.
Send us your menu, portions and market, and we will propose formats, send samples and quote in writing. Request a quote or browse the catalog.
Products in this article
Sources
- Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (SUP Directive) — EUR-Lex
- Commission guidelines on single-use plastic products in accordance with Directive (EU) 2019/904, C(2021) 3762 final — European Commission (copy published by Spain's Ministry for the Ecological Transition), 2021-05-31
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) — EUR-Lex
- Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food — EUR-Lex
