US Foodservice Disposables

Scope of the Report:

This Freedonia Group report analyzes the scope, size, and growth of the US foodservice disposables industry, including key trends in products, materials, and markets. Historical data are provided for 2015, 2019, and 2025 for demand, with forecasts for 2030 and 2035. Data are provided in US dollars and units. Also included is an analysis of key industry players and their US market share.

Abstract

Demand for foodservice disposables (single-use packaging and serviceware) in the US totaled $28.2 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow 3.4% per year to $33.3 billion in 2030:

• Growth in market value will come from both unit gains and a modest increase in average prices coming mostly from a shift in product mix towards higher-value disposables.
• Unit demand will benefit from growth in restaurant traffic and food-away-from-home spending, although gains will be moderated by sustainability initiatives and cost-control efforts that reduce unnecessary disposable use.

Sustainability Efforts Shift from Materials Substitution to Packaging Optimization

Foodservice operators increasingly evaluate packaging based on its ability to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and maintain customer satisfaction while meeting sustainability goals. Efforts to optimize packaging systems through source reduction, lightweighting, labor savings, and performance improvements are expected to have a greater impact on the market than large-scale shifts between specific packaging materials.

Off-Premises Dining Becomes the Industry's Permanent Operating Model

Carryout, drive-thru, delivery, and grab-and-go foodservice have become permanent features of the food-away-from-home market. As operators increasingly optimize for portability, food quality, and customer satisfaction, demand will be strong for high-performance packaging that meets all of these criteria.

Material Competition Becomes More Nuanced & Application Specific

Material selection is increasingly driven by application-specific performance, cost, and sustainability requirements rather than broad shifts away from traditional materials. Plastic products are expected to remain highly competitive, especially as recycled content increases and bioplastics find growing market niches. Molded fiber and paper products will continue to gain share based on sustainability and improved performance. Foam products will face gradual market losses but retain a share of cost-conscious hot food applications.

Key Trends

• Growth in restaurant traffic, food-away-from-home spending, and permanent demand for carryout, delivery, drive-thru, and grab-and-go meals will continue to support gains in US foodservice disposables demand.
• Sustainability efforts will continue to reshape the market, with operators increasingly focused on packaging optimization, source reduction, lightweighting, and performance improvements rather than broad material substitution.
• Material competition will remain application specific, as plastics retain strength in cost and performance, fiber-based products gain share in sustainable applications, and foam products gradually lose ground while remaining viable in select hot food uses.