It’s estimated that the US alone generates 230 million tons of garbage each year. Most of it is incinerated or buried in landfills, while only about one-quarter is recycled. From plastic food packaging to candy wrappers, the vast majority of trash ends up in landfills or incinerators, causing damage to our environment.The Great Pacific garbage patch has grown to an alarming size of 1.6 million square kilometres – thrice the size of France. Sadly, this is only one of the five plastic accumulation zones found in the world’s oceans. It’s a pressing problem and unfortunately, there is no clear-cut solution on how to clean up these plastic messes that have killed millions of marine animals. That’s why we must do all we can to reduce our consumption of single-use plastic items so that future generations can still enjoy a healthy and balanced ocean ecosystem. The disposable cutlery is now available in a variety of materials, ranging from plastic to eco-friendly paper products and wooden disposable cutlery are very fortunate and come with so many options. So you can make sure that the cutlery you choose for your next event fits your sustainability goals.
Plastic
Plastic cutlery is the most common type of disposable cutlery. It is made from either polystyrene or polypropylene, both of which are affordable and have heat tolerance levels of 180°F* for polystyrene and 250°F* for polypropylene before becoming deformed. It comes in different sizes, lengths and weights, such as heavy, medium and lightweight. Both types of plastic cutlery can be recycled, but acceptance varies by facility and state.
PSM (Plant Starch Material
Plant starch materials (PSM) cutlery is a cost-effective alternative to other eco-friendly disposable cutlery substitutes, as it is made from a mixture of plastic, such as polypropylene (20-30%) and PSM (70-80%), such as potato and corn starch. Despite the higher price tag, it offers good strength and heat resistance, with a lenience of up to 200°F. However, due to technological advancements and the availability of other cutlery options, its popularity has decreased. Furthermore, it is not eco-friendly in nature.
Eco- Friendly Cutlery
Composting these cutleries is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and be environmentally friendly. It’s easy to do either at home or with a commercial compost facility.It is a combination of wood, moulded fibre, bamboo, as well as CPLA (Crystallized Polylactic Acid). The only drawback is CPLA is inflexible and might break down under extreme pressure.
Bamboo
Bamboo is quickly becoming a popular alternative to disposable plastic cutlery because of its sustainability, affordability, and versatility. Not only is it certified compostable, but it’s also lightweight and smooth – perfect for showcasing eco-friendly efforts in any setting. Bamboo eco friendly paper products wooden disposable cutlery is an ideal option for anyone looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
Moulded Fiber
Moulded fibre is an ideal substitute for facilities that require a safe, not sharp cutlery preference such as in hospitals or prisons. This is because it is composed of a mixture of recycled wheat fibre, sugarcane, newsprint, paperboard, and other natural plant material and is similar in value to bamboo. However, the biggest drawback of moulded fibre is that it becomes soft if left to sit in liquid for too long.
Wood
Wooden cutlery is an expensive yet environmentally-friendly alternative to other types of utensils. It can be crafted from different wood types like poplar, willow, pine, and birch without any chemicals or other additives. Unfortunately, its porous nature means it is prone to absorbing liquids and bacteria, making it vulnerable to splintering and cracking if not manufactured properly. This could pose a safety risk to those using the cutlery, so caution should be exercised when selecting eco friendly paper products wooden disposable cutlery.
Benefits
Eco friendly paper products wooden disposable cutlery can be very useful in some cases, such as preventing the spread of illness and infections. However, they have many drawbacks that have been made more apparent in recent times, such as contributing to pollution and negatively impacting the environment. It’s important to consider both the pros and cons of using disposables so that we can make informed decisions about their use.
Hygiene – The use of single-use items helps to ensure a high level of hygienic standards, particularly in environments such as hospitals where the risk of contamination is high.
2-Lightweight – These silverware pieces are lightweight, so you can carry a lot of them at once!
3-Price Disposable cutlery costs only one tenth the price of regular silverware.
4-No need to wash: Using mono instead of colour helps to conserve electricity and water, as well as being easier for users to discard after use.
6-Reusable: Disposable cutlery is an excellent choice for catering events since it offers convenience and flexibility to accommodate a large number of guests.
7-Biodegradable: Using eco-friendly paper products and wooden disposable cutlery is a great way to make a conscious effort towards helping the environment. These types of cutlery are made from a special kind of plastic or material that breaks down much faster than traditional plastics like PET. Therefore, using biodegradable cutlery is an easy way to reduce your impact on the environment.
Disposable cutlery plays an important role in helping to ensure that proper usage and management is practised. By making use of this, companies and individuals alike can become more environmentally responsible.