Are eco-friendly catering disposables more expensive?

Wondering if switching to eco-friendly alternatives is worth it?

Worried about potential increases in costs by switching to eco-friendly options?

To accommodate your concerns we have done some research comparing a typical catering disposable product that you're guaranteed to have bought before.

Plastic fork vs wooden fork

We are going to take a look at the advantages and drawbacks of both so you can take a look and see which option suits your needs best.

Disposable wooden fork advantages 

There are several benefits to using a disposable wooden fork over a plastic fork:

1. Environmental impact: Wooden forks are biodegradable and compostable, which means they can break down naturally without harming the environment. Plastic forks, on the other hand, take hundreds of years to decompose, and often end up in landfills or oceans where they can harm wildlife and ecosystems.

2. Health concerns: Wooden forks are made from natural materials and are free of harmful chemicals that may be present in plastic forks. Additionally, wooden forks do not release harmful toxins when exposed to high temperatures, unlike some plastics.

3. Aesthetics: Many people find the natural look and feel of wooden forks to be more aesthetically pleasing than plastic forks, particularly for events or occasions with a rustic or organic theme.

4. Positive Brand Image: Studies show that more than half of consumers are aware of the environmental impact of packaging in general

Disposable plastic fork advantages 

There are a few benefits to using a plastic fork over a wooden fork:

1. Durability: Plastic forks are generally more durable than wooden forks and less likely to break or splinter.
2. Cost-effectiveness: Plastic forks are often less expensive than wooden forks, which can be helpful for large events or gatherings.
3. Convenience: Plastic forks are lightweight and easy to transport, making them a convenient option for outdoor events or picnics.

However, it's important to note that plastic forks are not environmentally friendly and can take hundreds of years to decompose.

The real question, which is better for your bottom line?

 To gather the information to see which option is cheaper we collected data from five major companies selling disposable cutlery, we figured this would give us the most accurate representation of price. 

Although not perfect, this is just a rough average of which would be cheaper in general

Analysis

The average price for 1000 wooden forks was €45.50 compared to plastic forks coming in at an average of €72.00. 

Overall plastic forks came in 60% more expensive and when you factor in the other benefits previously mentioned it's a no brainer.

Although the previous analysis doesn't account for all eco-friendly catering disposable products, benefits including customer satisfaction, attraction of new customers by word of mouth, increase brand loyalty, environmental impacts and the potential for it to be cheaper. I believe that choosing to go eco-friendly with your catering disposables is a far better option for you, your customers and most importantly the environment

Where can I buy disposables cutlery?

We here at Macon Direct Catering offer everything you need when it comes to disposable cutlery.

When doing our analysis we came in as the most affordable option when buying wooden forks  priced at just €25 compared to the average of €45.50 per 1000