Compostable Carry Bags for Restaurants and Cafés in Hyderabad: Which Size Fits Your Orders?
On this page
- Why are restaurants switching to compostable carry bags?
- Which sizes should a restaurant start with?
- How do you stop leaks and spills?
- How can staff pack faster during rush hour?
- Should you print your logo on takeaway bags?
- What happens to the bag after the meal?
- Can restaurants order directly from the manufacturer?
- Frequently asked questions
Pick takeaway bags around your real orders. For most restaurants and cafés, three sizes are enough: one for a single drink or snack, one for a meal for two, and one for a family or party order. Use compostable carry bags so you are not caught by the 120-micron rule for plastic carry bags, and test each size with your own containers before you order in bulk.
Why are restaurants switching to compostable carry bags?
Since 31 December 2022, plastic carry bags in India must be at least 120 microns thick. Thin plastic takeaway bags are not allowed, and thick ones are expensive and heavy.
Compostable carry bags are exempt from that thickness rule under the Plastic Waste Management Rules. A 35–45 micron compostable bag can legally carry a full takeaway order. It also tells your customer something about your kitchen before they open the box.
Which sizes should a restaurant start with?
Here is a starting set to test, from our U-cut carry bag chart:
| Order type | Size to test (inches) | Thickness | Approx. load |
|---|---|---|---|
| One coffee and a snack, a single meal box | 10×12 | 30–35 microns | about 1 kg |
| Meal for two, 2–3 containers | 13×16 | 35–40 microns | 3–3.5 kg |
| Family biryani, party orders, 4+ containers | 16×20 | 40–45 microns | 5–6 kg |
Loads are approximate, from our specification sheet.
Biryani handis, tall curry containers and stacked meal boxes all need different space. Pack your three most common orders, put them in the sample bags, and see which size closes comfortably. If one bag size keeps coming up short, move up a size rather than adding a thicker version.
Should you use U-cut or D-cut handles? U-cut bags are the usual pick for heavier food orders. D-cut bags give a neater look for bakeries and dessert shops. Our guide on U-cut vs D-cut carry bags covers this in more detail.
How do you stop leaks and spills?
The carry bag holds the order together. It does not seal food. Leaks come from containers and lids, so:
- use leak-proof containers for gravies and dals
- keep a cup holder for more than two drinks
- pack hot, heavy items at the bottom and dry items on top
- do not fill a bag above its handle cut
If your counter staff keep double-bagging, that is a sign the size or thickness is wrong. Fix the size, and you save bags too.
How can staff pack faster during rush hour?
Keep the three sizes in separate, labelled stacks next to the packing counter. Write a short note above each stack: "10×12: 1 coffee + 1 snack", "13×16: 2–3 boxes", and so on. New staff pick the right bag at once, and you do not run out of one size while another piles up.
For delivery orders, check with the aggregator rider too: on a bike, the bag should not swing open.
Should you print your logo on takeaway bags?
Yes, if you sell takeaway or delivery regularly. A printed bag goes home with every order, into offices, hostels and apartments across the city.
Keep it simple:
- logo and restaurant name on one side
- phone number or ordering link on the other
- one short line, if any ("Freshly packed in Jubilee Hills")
Do not print a promise you cannot back, like "home compostable" or "disappears in days". Our custom printing checklist explains how to prepare the artwork.
What happens to the bag after the meal?
A compostable carry bag can go with wet (organic) waste where the local collector accepts it. Since 1 April 2026, India's Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 require waste to be separated at source into wet, dry, sanitary and special care streams. Larger restaurants that count as bulk waste generators also have duties for how their waste is collected and processed.
Your kitchen probably needs compostable garbage bags for food waste too. See our guide on compostable garbage bags for wet waste.
Can restaurants order directly from the manufacturer?
We make compostable carry bags at our plant in Medchal, Hyderabad, so restaurants in Kondapur, Jubilee Hills, Gachibowli, Secunderabad or any other area can order directly from the manufacturer. Our compostable range is DRDO Approved and sold as 100% Certified Compostable Products. Cloud kitchens and chains outside Telangana can order too.
Frequently asked questions
What size carry bag is best for biryani takeaway?
For one or two handis, test a 13×16 bag in 35–40 microns. For family or party packs, test 16×20 in 40–45 microns.
Are compostable takeaway bags strong enough for hot food?
Yes, when the size and thickness match the load. Test with your own hot containers and a real walk to the bike or car.
Do compostable carry bags need to be 120 microns?
No. India's 120-micron minimum is for plastic carry bags. Compostable carry bags are exempt from the thickness rule.
Can one size handle every order?
Rarely. Three sizes usually cover most menus, and they are still easy to manage at the counter.
Can you print our restaurant logo?
Yes. Send your logo, colours, size and quantity, and we will share a proof before printing.
Plan your takeaway bag order
Tell us your three most common orders and roughly how many bags you use a month. We will suggest sizes and thickness.
+91 91606 46468, +91 91606 56568 | www.earthboundproducts.in
Call us, email enquiry@earthboundproducts.in, or use the form on our contact page.
Sources
Related articles
Compostable Bag Size Chart: Sizes, Microns and Loads
Choosing Between U-Cut and D-Cut Carry Bags
