Canberra’s food businesses, government and institutional caterers, event companies, embassies, cafes and restaurants, operate under some of the country’s tightest single-use plastics rules and a customer base that pays attention to compliance. Carewell Group supplies food packaging that meets those requirements to Canberra and ACT businesses, with national distribution.
Key points
- The ACT has phased out many single-use plastic food-service items; the practical answer is certified compostable or recyclable paper-based packaging.
- Food-contact packaging should be suitable for its use (hot, cold, fatty, acidic) and, where claimed, certified compostable to AS 4736 or AS 5810.
- The range covers containers, trays, bowls, cups, lids, paper bags and cutlery alternatives.
- Carewell can meet all your packaging needs in one place. Talk to our team and we will work to your required minimum order quantity.
Compliant food packaging for Canberra
The ACT’s single-use plastics laws have removed plastic cutlery, stirrers, expanded-polystyrene food and drink containers, and other items from food service, with further categories phased over time. For a Canberra caterer or venue, the safe approach is to standardise on certified compostable or clearly recyclable paper-based packaging across the range, and keep the certification on file.
What to standardise on
- Containers and bowls: paper or certified compostable, suitable for the food temperature and type.
- Trays: moulded fibre or recyclable board for cold and ambient food; check heat rating for hot use.
- Cups and lids: paper cups with compostable or paper lids.
- Cutlery and stirrers: wood or certified compostable alternatives.
- Bags and wraps: paper, or certified compostable film where a barrier is needed.
Getting the claims right
“Compostable” should be certified to AS 4736 (industrial) or AS 5810 (home), and you should know which composting is available to your customers. “Recyclable” for paper-based items means kerbside paper and cardboard. Keep the supplier documentation for procurement and audit. Background on the claims is in checking eco packaging claims.
Where Carewell fits
Carewell Group supplies compliant food-service packaging with the certification documentation, plus the shipping cartons and tape for catering logistics, with national distribution into Canberra. Carewell can meet all your packaging needs in one place. Talk to our team about your menu and events and we will work to your required minimum order quantity. Request a quote and samples or call +61 (02) 8760 1491.
Frequently asked questions
What food packaging is compliant in the ACT?
Certified compostable or recyclable paper-based items, since the ACT has phased out plastic cutlery, stirrers, polystyrene containers and other single-use plastics.
What does “certified compostable” mean?
Certified to AS 4736 (industrial composting) or AS 5810 (home composting). Know which is available to your customers.
Can you provide certification for procurement?
Yes. We supply the compostability and recyclability documentation for the products we sell.
Do you supply cutlery and cup alternatives?
Yes, wood and certified compostable cutlery, paper cups and compatible lids.
Do you deliver to Canberra?
Yes, with national distribution into Canberra and the ACT.
Written by Alif Vasaya, digital and content strategy, Carewell Group. Carewell Group is an Australian packaging, food packaging, tape, industrial safety and 3PL supplier serving Canberra and all of Australia. Last updated 10 September 2026.