Comparing 7 Different Types of Disposable Cutlery | Advantages & Disadvantages

Comparing 7 Different Types of Disposable Cutlery | Advantages & Disadvantages

If you are looking to start a business in the disposable cutlery business, it is important to decide up front which type or style best suits your business needs and budget.

There are 7 different types of material that can be used in manufacturing disposable cutlery, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

This post has made a detailed comparison of these 7 types of disposable cutlery, so that you can easily decide which type you need.

7 Types of Material Used in Manufacturing Disposable Cutlery

  • 1.  Paper: Food-grade kraft paper.
  • 2. Crystallized PLA: Crystallized polylactic acid is sometimes referred to as PLA.
  • 3. Plant Starch Material (PSM): A bioplastic made from fermented plant starch.
  • 4. Bagasse Sugarcane: Made from a fiber that remains after processing sugarcane stalks.
  • 5. Bamboo: Strong, renewable material that isn’t made with any harsh chemicals or dyes.
  • 6. Wood: Made from the by-product of trees and is chemical-free.
  • 7. Polyproylene/Polystyrene: A type of plastic that is used to make a wide variety of products such as cutlery and food containers, ect.

1. Paper: Food-grade kraft paper.

Paper disposable cutlery

Paper disposable cutlery made from paper are environmentally friendly and less expensive to produce than other types of disposable cutlery. They are also very easy to clean, as they do not require any type of washing. However, they tend to be more brittle and can break easily.

Advantages:

  • Extensive range of colors, paper material comes in a wide variety of colors ranging from light yellow through deep reds , which gives designers more options for creating unique disposable items . 
  • The best option for facilities that need a safe (not sharp) cutlery option such as in prisons or hospitals.

Disadvantages: 

  • Not durable as other bio cutlery

2. Crystallized PLA: Crystallized polylactic acid is sometimes referred to as PLA.

You may have heard of PLA, or polylactic acid, but what exactly is it? PLA is a type of plastic that is made from renewable resources like corn starch or sugar cane. It’s a biodegradable and compostable material, so it’s good for the environment. Crystallized PLA is a kind of PLA that has been treated with a process called crystallization. This makes it stronger and more heat-resistant than regular PLA.

Advantages:

  • CPLA disposable cutlery is compostable, which reduces the amount of waste produced.
  • More environmentally friendly than using plastic knives and forks
  • A heat tolerance of 185℉* before distortion

Disadvantages: 

  • Can cause contamination if it falls into the wrong hands or is improperly handled.

3. Plant Starch Material (PSM): A bioplastic made from fermented plant starch.

PSM disposable cutlery

Plant Starch Material, or PSM, is a new type of bioplastic made from fermented plant starch. It’s similar to other bioplastics made from sustainable materials like cellulose and cornstarch, but it has some advantages over those materials. PSM is cheaper to produce than cellulose and cornstarch, and it can be used to create a wider range of products.

Advantages:

  • PSM cutlery is sustainably produced and 100% biodegradable and compostable.
  • A heat tolerance of 200℉* before distortion.

Disadvantages: 

  • For PSM cutlery, currently only original colors and white colors available.

4. Bagasse Sugarcane: Made from a fiber that remains after processing sugarcane stalks.

Bagasse Sugarcane cutlery

Bagasse sugarcane is made from a fiber that remains after processing sugarcane stalks. This makes it a more sustainable option than other types of material.

Advantages:

  • Affordable and lightweight, which makes them perfect for travelers or camping enthusiasts.
  • A heat tolerance of 250℉*.
  • The best option for facilities that need a safe (not sharp) cutlery option such as in prisons or hospitals.

Disadvantages: 

  • Not durable as other bio cutlery

5. Bamboo: Strong, renewable material that isn't made with any harsh chemicals or dyes.

Bamboo disposable cutlery

Bamboo is one of the strongest and most sustainable materials out there.

Advantages:

  • High resistance to water, able to last for an extended period of time without breaking.
  • A heat tolerance of 200℉*.
  • Low environmental impact, bamboo releases less harmful air toxins when it is burned or processed.

Disadvantages:

  •  More expensive than other eco-friendly cutlery.

6. Wood: Made from the by-product of trees and is chemical-free.

Wood is a natural material that comes from trees. It’s strong and durable, making it a popular choice for many different types of products, including disposable cutlery. Wood is also biodegradable, meaning it will eventually break down and decompose in the environment.

Advantages:

  • The material sourced from trees that have been legally harvested, without damaging or destroying forest ecosystems.
  • The lumber used in the making of wooden cutlery not contain toxic substances such as mercury, chromium, arsenic or other hazardous elements.
  • A heat tolerance of 200℉*.

Disadvantages: 

  • Most expensive disposable cutlery.

7. Plastic Disposable Cutlery

Plastic Disposable cutlery

Made by Polyproylene or Polystyrene: A type of plastic that is used to make a wide variety of products such as cutlery and food containers.

We all use plastic every day without giving it a second thought. We’ll see how they’re used, what their benefits are, and whether or not they’re recyclable.

Advantages:

  • Plastic cutlery – Cheapest disposable cultery on the market.
  • A heat tolerance of 250℉* before distortion

Disadvantages: After doing some research, I’ve compiled a list of the reasons why plastic disposable cutlery is not ideal.

  • They’re not biodegradable, so they’ll sit in landfills for years (if not centuries).
  • They’re made from petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource.
  • They release toxins when they’re manufactured and when they’re disposed of (in both cases, these toxins can end up in our food and water supply.
  • They add to the growing problem of plastic pollution (especially in our oceans).

Conclusion

That’s all for today! We hope you find this article helpful in making your decision about buying biodegradable disposable cutlery from China. Remember that it’s not always easy, so if there are any questions or concerns about the process we recommend reaching out to us directly. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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