Disposable plates come in various types, including plain paper, wax or plastic coated paper, cardboard-like paper, Styrofoam, and biodegradable materials. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and some are more environmentally friendly than others.
Disposable plates have long been a means of enjoying a meal without having to wash the dishes. They are perfect for quick meals, snacks for children during the day and almost essential if you plan to go camping or picnics. There is an amazing variety of disposable plates on the market, each type having its own merits.
Plain disposable plates are typically made from heavy-duty paper, which may or may not be lined with plastic to prevent food from spilling out on or through the plate. These can be good for light foods, but if the paper is thin enough, you may need to use several plates, and filling such a plate can cause the plate to bend, spilling all the food onto the ground. You might only consider these types for very light food use. While they are often the least expensive disposable plates, having to use several at once can negate any savings.
More durable paper disposable plates can be coated with wax or plastic which gives them more structure, prevents leaks and helps the plate hold slightly heavier foods. You can often find them in different colors and sizes, such as dinner plates, cake plates, and even plate sizes. They can also be decorated and can be the perfect choice for themed birthdays, graduation parties or bridal and baby showers. Couples looking to save some money on weddings might consider disposable plates in their wedding colors instead of the more expensive rental china.
Another type of disposable plate has less flexibility and is made of paper on the thickness of the cardboard. You’ll often find this so-called disposable porcelain, with companies like Chinet known for making this type. These tend to be more durable than thinner paper plates, but since they tend to lack any sort of protective coating, they may not hold up well under liquid sauces over extended periods of time. However, they tend to survive for the duration of a meal.
An alternative to disposable paper plates is to use Styrofoam or plastic plates. Both resist leaks and are generally sturdier in construction than paper plates. Styrofoam can be a little harder to eat if you plan on cutting up the meats on your plate. You can easily cut styrofoam with a knife, even a plastic knife.
For those people who hate wasting paper and don’t want to use materials that can’t be recycled, there are a variety of new disposable plates on the market that are biodegradable. Such dishes can be made with interesting ingredients. Some are made from hardtack, an exceptionally tough cracker that will break down easily in a compost pile. Others are still made of paper, but are made from nearly all recycled paper, helping to reduce your environmental debt. Another type resembles Styrofoam and can be made from sugarcane fibers. While you may pay a little more for these types, they can quickly replace the less green variants of disposable straighteners on the market.
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