Why Shouldn’t Bulk Plastic Plates and Cutlery?

Bulk plastic plates and cutlery is the most common purchasing activities in the disposable tableware industry. Plastic tableware sales are really amazing.

Plastic plates and plastic cutlery are two of those items that most people don’t think twice about. We use them at home, at work, and even when we’re out on the town. There are many wholesalers and retailers of plastic cutlery around the world, wholesale plastic plates and cutlery can bring huge profits.

But what many people don’t realize is that using disposable plastic cutlery hurts on both the environment and our health. In this blog post, we will explore some of the reasons why we should stop using & bulking plastic plates and cutlery.

What Does Plastic Cutlery Include?

Plastic cutlery typically includes plastic forks, spoons, and knives. They are often used in situations where no need to washing, such as fast food, picnics or parties.

While convenient and cost-effective, plastic cutlery poses environmental concerns due to its non-biodegradable nature and contribution to plastic pollution.

These items may seem small and insignificant, but when you consider the fact that they are used once and then thrown away, it adds up quickly. Not only does using disposable plastic cutlery contribute to the plastic pollution problem, but there are also health concerns.

Alternatives to plastic cutlery include biodegradable disposable cutlery. By being mindful of our consumption of disposable plastics, we can help reduce their negative impact on the environment.

Why Are Plastic Cutlery So Popular?

They were first produced in the middle of the 20th century, and with time their popularity increased.

Plastic plates and plastic cutlery have many advantages:

• Cheap
• Lightweight
• Convenient
• No-washing

However, the consequences of our reliance on plastic plates far outweigh any perceived benefits.

First and foremost, bulk plastic plates and cutlery contributes significantly to the growing global plastic waste crisis. These disposable tableware often end up in landfills or oceans, where they harm wildlife, and take hundreds of years to decompose.

Secondly, when the plastic plate is used to hold food at high temperature, some toxic substances may enter the food. These chemicals may also enter the body with the food, which will harm human health over time.

What Are Plastic Plates and Cutlery Made Up Of?

Usually, plastic cutlery is disposable, discarded as soon as it is used. The majority of plastic cutlery is made from different materials:

• PP (Polypropylene)
• PS (Polystyrene)
• PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
• PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)

These materials have their unique properties, but they share common features:

• Difficult to decompose naturally
• Toxic at high temperature
• Cause plastic pollution

The Harm of Plastic Cutlery to the Human Body

Let’s talk about the use of plastic tableware in our daily lives. We often grab a plate, fork, knife, or spoon without giving it much thought. However, what we may not realize is that these plastic plates and cutlery can pose a serious threat to our health.

Formaldehyde

It is commonly used as a preservative in plastic plates and cutlery, it can leach into our food when heated, leading to serious health issues.

Phthalates – Harmful To Lungs, Liver, and Kidneys:
Phthalates are often added to plastics to make them flexible and harder to break. However, they can be very dangerous to your internal organs.

Bisphenol A – Effect the Hormonal Balance

Another common chemical found in plastic plate, BPA, can disrupt our body’s hormonal balance and have negative effects on reproduction and development.

The Harm of Plastic Cutlery to Babies

Many baby products in the market are made up of plastic, including bottles, teethers, and cutlery. These plastics often contain harmful chemicals, such as phthalates and BPA, which can have negative effects on a baby’s development. This is a serious issue, as a baby’s body is much more sensitive, and susceptible to the harm caused by these chemicals.

The Harm of Plastic Cutlery on Our Planet

In addition to harming your body, plastic cutlery also affects the environment. Every year around 150 billion plastic products are disposed of, which end up in landfills. It takes hundreds of years for this plastic to degrade.

It’s estimated that several million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, and it’s predicted that in a few decades, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean.

Polluted Soil

As plastic cutlery breaks down, it releases harmful chemicals into the soil that can cause contamination of our food and water sources. Contamination of soil effects adversely affects plant life which is really bad for the environment. In addition to plant life, it is also dangerous for healthy crop production.

Marine Pollution

Plastic cutlery often finds its way into our waterways and oceans, where marine life can ingest it or become entangled in it. This causes harm to these animals and affects the overall health of marine ecosystems.

Loss of Biodiversity

As plastic cutlery accumulates in our environment, it affects not only marine life but also land-dwelling animals and plant species. The destruction of their habitats and consumption of plastic cutlery can lead to a loss of biodiversity in certain areas.

High Carbon Footprint

Plastic cutlery may seem like a convenient option, but it comes with a high carbon footprint and a high risk of leaching chemicals into our food.

The production of plastic plates and other cutlery requires the use of fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. A large percentage of greenhouse gases are released during the production, and add to the carbon footprint.

What Is The Future Of Plastic Cutlery?

There is no doubt that countries are trying to lessen their use of plastic cutlery, but it cannot be denied that it is still widely used in various industries, from fast food to airline service.

However, more and more companies are starting to introduce alternatives such as bamboo, wood or biodegradable plates and other cutlery.

Additionally, government regulation on the use of plastic cutlery is becoming stricter, with some cities banning their use altogether. With individuals, businesses, and countries as a whole trying their best to reduce the use of plastic.

What is the future of plastic cutlery? Are we heading towards a plastic-free world, or is the popularity of plastic cutlery too strong to get rid of?

It is a question that has been on the minds of many as plastic pollution continues to be a pressing environmental issue. While some countries have implemented bans on single-use plastics, the use of disposable cutlery made from plastic remains widespread.

It is believed that shortly, plastic cutlery will continue to be used, but in a more controlled and regulated way. This will help to gradually eliminate the use of plastic in the long run.

Eco-friendly company start offering options for customers to choose between plastic or alternative cutlery. There may also be an increase in recyclable and biodegradable plastic cutlery as technology advances.

Overall, the future of plastic cutlery is uncertain, but eco-friendly cutlery will become more and more popular. The commercial practice of wholesale plastic plates and cutlery will also decrease.

What Is The Best Alternative To Plastic Cutlery?

With the world becoming more environmentally conscious, many alternatives have also been introduced in the market. In order to help people transition from plastic cutlery and tableware to eco-friendly biodegradable tableware, governments are trying to spread awareness by communicating the benefits of these amazing alternatives.

Plastic tableware will be replaced by eco-friendly options like wooden cutlery, bamboo cutlery, bagasse tableware, and other similar options.
Common materials for eco-friendly disposable plates, bowls, and other food containers include:

• Bagasse
• Palm leaves
• Corn starch
• Wood fiber
• Bamboo fiber

For cutlery set, the following products are more popular

• Bamboo forks, spoons, and knives
• Wooden forks, spoons, and knives

These eco-friendly products are great for the environment, and they don’t damage the human body.

Not only are these alternative products biodegradable, but some materials also compostable, which means that they can be used as compost for plant life. This makes them the most eco-friendly alternative to plastic tableware.

The Benefits of Replacing Plastic Cutlery with Wood Cutlery

The harm of plastic plates and cutlery is described above.
People should opt for alternative cutlery types like wood or bamboo cutlery. So, what the benefits of using wood cutlery instead of plastic?

Bamboo and wood are biodegradable

Wood cutlery is biodegradable and does not add to the growing plastic pollution problem. This is great for the protection of the environment and also for human and animal life.

They are renewable

Wood cutlery is a renewable resource, as wood can be harvested from sustainable forests. Many companies that are all-around eco-friendly as they are now investing in growing trees, to make environmentally friendly products like wooden cutlery.

Such as Ecoure, has a raw material bases in the mountains, with a lot of bamboo and wood resources. More importantly, Ecoure takes care of these trees and their stump even after the tree is cut. This helps the tree to have a healthy regrowth. Doing so helps them keep the ecosystem in balance as they only cut down trees that they grow, and they don’t have to cut down trees that are already in nature.

Wood is durable

You might think that wood is weaker than other materials, so the cutlery might not be that durable. However, that is not the case. Wood cutlery is durable and sturdy, providing a better dining experience for customers.

It can be washed and reused

Plastic cutlery is always thrown away after use, and we understand that it is difficult to just bring your house cutlery everywhere you go, and plastic cutlery offers great convenience and not to mention they are extremely cheap.

However, wood cutlery is also lightweight and eco-friendly, which makes them an ideal choice for use in homes and outside on picnics or while you are traveling. The best part about wood cutlery is that you don’t have to throw it away once you have used it. You can wash it and use it again. Even if you throw it away after use, it won’t affect the environment badly.

Stop Wholesaling Plastic Plates & Cutlery

Product sales are mostly done by wholesalers, importers, and retailers. Many tableware suppliers and retailers sell wooden cutlery instead of plastic cutlery

Using wood cutlery shows customers that a business is environmentally conscious and committed to sustainable practices. This can result in increased sales and a better company reputation.

In addition to restaurants using wood cutlery, companies that wholesale wood cutlery can also enjoy high profits, and this success is only going to increase with the increase in awareness about environmental issues.

According to 2021 global import and export data, although wholesale plastic plates and cutlery remains a key target for many retailers. However, the growth in purchases of dbioegradable tableware far exceeds that of plastic tableware.