Do you run a restaurant? Are you looking for ways to turn your eatery green? If so, consider using eco-friendly tableware.
This option is not only earth-friendly but comes with many other surprise perks.
Below you’ll discover more about why this tableware type is ideal and a few options to use in your restaurant or charcuterie business.
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Restaurant Tableware
1. They Come in Multiple Materials
Another interesting perk of eco-friendly selections is that they can be made out of multiple materials. These include cotton, bamboo, palm, and paper. Better yet, most of these come from responsible sources.
Most of these materials are also naturally anti-bacterial, so they won’t contain traces of pesticides or fertilizers, making them safe to grow and use for food consumption.
2. They Don’t Have Toxic Chemicals
You might be surprised to learn that many non-eco-friendly options contain harmful toxins and dyes. Eco-friendly options aren’t made with these, so you can be sure that they’re good for the environment and your customers’ health.
Besides this, they can be safely heated up without fear of BPA seeping into the meals. Again, this is unlike single-use plastic containers that risk doing so.
3. They’re Durable but Disposable
Eco-friendly options are made to break down when disposed of, but until then, they’re still quite sturdy. So you won’t want to worry about them breaking or wearing down quickly.
In fact, most will decompose within 1-3 years. Better yet, you don’t have to wash them off if they’re meant for single-use – simply throw them into the recycling or compost bin.
4. Making Them is Energy-Efficient
Another unique perk of eco-friendly tableware is that producing them is just as earth-friendly. As a result, a large carbon footprint isn’t needed to make these items so that you won’t be contributing to extra pollution.
7 Types of Eco-Friendly Tableware for Restaurants
1. Charcuterie Boards
Charcuterie is quite a popular restaurant custom tableware option. All you need for this meal is a large board on which you can place meat, cheese, and fruit on.
Unlike some other tableware selections, you can reuse charcuterie boards depending on their material. While some are meant to be disposed of after each use (like bamboo), there are others (like wood or stone) that just need to be sanitized.
2. Wooden Utensils
Some of the most important pieces of tableware are the forks, spoons, and knives you need for eating. Using wooden options eliminates the need for pricey utensils that might go missing or need to be washed constantly.
Apart from using them for tableware, wooden utensils are a great option to use in your cooking! They’re strong and won’t affect the cooking temperature, melt under high temperatures, or release chemicals.
3. Bamboo Plates
Another important tableware piece is plated. Many restaurants rely on plastic options, which tend to be cheaper. However, they often contain BPA (a common industrial chemical), which can cause some serious health effects.
Bamboo is an excellent choice because it’s sturdy and often grown in a clean environment (no herbicides or pesticides are needed during its growth). Because of this, there are no toxins evident in it, making it a safe choice to eat.
4. Ceramic Bowls
This material comes in beautiful designs and is extremely durable. Ceramic is a natural material (clay) that is formed, painted, and then put into a kiln to dry. No harsh chemicals are needed.
Ceramic bowls are naturally non-stick, so diners can easily put up food in them. They’re also good at preserving heat so the meal will stay warm.
The one downside, though, is that they can be a bit heavy. Because of this, you might want to rely on something other than them for every dish but perhaps instead for special selections.
5. Recycled Glasses
Another option to add to your tableware itinerary is recycled glasses. As you’ll need these for drinks, why not opt for something eco-friendly?
Using recycled glasses prevents the need for more to be manufactured, which in return cuts back on emissions. In addition, it’s a sanitary option and comes in numerous colors and sizes.
6. Tasting Spatulas
Depending on what you offer, tasting spatulas might be worth considering. You can use these recyclable wooden spoons to give customers samples of your dishes. They’re also good to use on charcuterie boards.
Most of these are made of bamboo, so they’re quite durable. You can also have your logo and restaurant name engraved on them.
7. Bamboo Coffee Stirrers
Many restaurants supply plastic coffee stirrers for customers to mix their perfect coffee cups. However, while convenient, these stirrers can be very wasteful. Bamboo coffee stirrers prevent the need for excessive plastic and work just as well as them. You can also purchase them in various sizes, including up to seven inches.
There are plenty of eco-friendly tableware options for restaurants. Whether you need spoons or charcuterie boards, there’s something for every need. If you’re searching for some good ideas, consider the ones mentioned above.
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