Foam vs Paper vs Plastic Comparator

Pick what matters most for your service model and see which takeout container material fits.

Specification	Foam (XPS/EPS)	Paperboard	Rigid PP plastic
Insulation	R-3.6-4.2 / inch	Negligible	Negligible
Relative unit cost	Lowest	~1.5-2x higher	Higher than foam
Typical weight	~5-15 g	~18-30 g	~20-35 g
Microwave use	Not recommended	Limited	Often microwave-safe
Recyclability	#6 PS, limited	Wide, if uncoated	#5, moderate
Crush strength	Light, rib-reinforced	Moderate	Highest absolute

Figures are typical industry ranges for comparison only; actual values vary by size, wall gauge and supplier.

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