To illustrate: https://greenpaperproducts.com/biodegradable-containers.aspx

From their FAQ:

> Bioresin is a thermoplastic made from organic materials instead of petroleum products. Bioresin is a substitute for PET and polystyrene and can replace polyethylene and polypropylene.

> PLA stands for polylactic acid and is a resin made from corn starch. PLA is used to make clear compostable containers and PLA lining is used in cups and containers as an impermeable liner. PLA is biodegradable, and fully compostable.

> Bagasse is a natural byproduct of sugarcane refinement. Bagasse pulp requires minimal processing and elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching to turn it into a woven high-strength paper that is biodegradable and compostable.

Unfortunately, many of those materials are then coated with PFAS:

https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20170201/many-fast-food-cont...

Which have all of the same problems of plastic.

glass

i thought about that too, but glass is 1000s of times as heavy, and typically recycling it means re-melting which is wasteful of energy and has carbon emmissions problems

as i see it, the only way that would work is if

1. we reused the glass

2. some national system where someone comes by and pick up the glass for sterilization (like those old 50s milk bottles)

3. standardized glass containers that are mandated/traded across industries

and that still doesnt fix the usage of fuels to transport all that glass to and fro...