The most popular alternative to plastic cutlery currently available on the market is wooden cutlery. The main reason wood is the most favoured option is because it is the cheapest. However, consumers don’t actually consider why these disposables are cheaper than others, such as paper cutlery.

So, why is wooden cutlery cheaper?

Wooden cutlery is cheaper than paper cutlery because the raw material requires less handling and transforming. Although it is cheaper, it comes with many disadvantages:

• Wooden cutlery might get exposed to chemicals during both the washing and fumigating process. For bamboo cutlery, abrasive chemicals and dyes are used to get the finished product.
• Due to the manufacturing process, wooden cutlery can contaminate food with its strong odour and oily resins.
• Wooden cutlery tends to develop splinters or cracks, which can potentially cause harm to the user.
• Wood takes up to 3 months to fully decompose and bamboo takes up to 3 years to fully decompose.
• Wooden cutlery is not recyclable.
• The options for the design and colours of wooden cutlery are very limited.

What is a better option?

Paper cutlery offers a high-quality and more sustainable approach. Even though this option is higher in cost, its many advantages compensate for the increased price.

• No chemicals are used during the manufacturing process
• Paper cutlery has no taste or odour.
• Due to the smooth surface and nature of the material used, there is no risk of harm when using the product.
• It only takes 2 to 6 weeks for the product to fully decompose, both home and industrial composting is possible.
• Paper cutlery is fully recyclable.
• Paper cutlery can be printed with food safe ink and shaped into any form or design.

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