Washington-based sustainable packaging company Palous Fiber Packaging (PFP) has launched new 4-cup carriers made with wheat straw pulp.

The company aims to provide an alternative to global supplies of milled wood or post-consumer recycled material, which it says are “deceptively marketed as being greener than other materials”.

The carriers will be made using fibre from harvested wheat crops, which is locally sourced and used as a moulding medium instead of being incinerated as agricultural waste.

The rollout of the new wheat-based solution represents a milestone in PFP’s mission to collaborate with like-minded food and beverage vendors across the country to create tailored, compliant, locally sourced, durable solutions while avoiding the use of wood fibre.

The programme focuses on developing branded wheat packaging options for both consumer and industrial partners, to create compliant solutions for markets with stringent industry regulations, including food, beverages and consumer goods.

PFP's move comes before Washington State’s 2021 ban on all polystyrene take-out containers comes into effect on 1 June 2024. Oregon’s ban will follow in 2025. The bans will include food containers, coolers, plates and insulated beverage cups.

PFP CEO and founder Kyler Lovgren commented: “This regulation in the Pacific Northwest is setting a new bar for food and beverage vendors nationwide. While exciting from an environmental perspective, it will likely leave many businesses struggling to find alternatives that are truly sustainable, durable and customisable. We're focused on using wheat and other fibres to solve that problem.”