Disposable Cutlery & Plastic Silverware

Staples provides a wide range of kitchenware, including disposable cutlery and plastic silverware. The cutlery and silverware work well for office and home parties and in other casual settings. Finding the right disposable cutlery and reusable flatware means taking your time to decide the material and the unique requirements that best serve your needs. The essential factors to consider when buying disposable cutlery include the disposable material, weight of the disposable utensils, and the choice of eco-friendly materials.

Consider the type of disposable material
The disposable materials available to choose from include polystyrene and polylactic acid (PLA) plastics, wood, bamboo, and plant starch. Polystyrene plastic is the traditional disposable plastic silverware material used for both light-fare and heavy-fare meals in high-heat environments. PLA plastic silverware and cutlery are products of renewable plant sources and are eco-friendly and ideal for use for any meal.

Disposable plastic, wood, and bamboo flatware are poor conductors of heat and are appropriate for use with light-fare meals in high-heat environments. Wood and bamboo cutlery is durable and recommendable for restaurant takeout and green businesses and homes.

Choose the weight of the disposable cutlery
Lightweight cutlery includes small but effective spoons and forks used for eating lighter meals such as soft ice cream and diced fruit. Lightweight cutlery is a durable and reliable economic choice. Medium-weight reusable silverware allows for regular service. It’s ideal for foods such as salads and desserts. Heavyweight cutlery has a higher density. This cutlery option works well for meals such as meat and lasagna. They also offer a sense of quality when used to serve guests in a restaurant or at a party.

Eco-friendly material available for plastic silverware
Environmentally friendly cutlery and plastic silverware come in degradable and biodegradable forms. There are specific differences between the green products, which may make an effective filter for your search.

Bamboo and wood cutlery are compostable, meaning they decompose into soil or water like paper without emitting harmful agents to the environment. Most reusable silverware comes from recyclable materials, which are moldable to new products after disposal.

Biodegradable products come from plant and animal resources, and they decompose through natural processes. They include renewable products whose production doesn’t deplete other natural resources. Degradable products are oil-based and only decomposed through anaerobic chemical processes.

What are some other important features of these disposable utensils?
Some features to consider when selecting disposable cutlery and silverware include color and special packaging requirements. There are many pops of color you can accessorize with to match the design and theme of the social setting. Options are also available to buy large packages of individual utensils or variety packs of all silverware forms for added utility.

Is it safe to wash and reuse disposable cutlery?
It’s not a recommended practice because most disposable cutlery degrades and becomes less effective if you wash and use repeatedly. While some polystyrene forks and spoons are still functional after a single use, repeated use or cleaning is unhygienic and time-consuming.

Can you put plastic silverware in the dishwasher?
Yes, but only if the piece of reusable silverware bears the “dishwasher safe” label. Even then, keep it on the top rack away from the heating element of the dishwasher.

How do you sanitize reusable silverware?
After cleaning and rinsing in clean water, soak the utensils in a sanitizing solution of unscented chlorine bleach and a gallon of warm water.