What are the pros and cons of using wooden cutlery? Wooden cutlery is a natural product, made from an abundant, renewable resource, wood, which is 100% degradable. Bamboo tableware, made of fast-growing, quickly replenished bamboo trees, is very environmentally friendly. When compared to petroleum, non-degradable plastic tableware types glut in the world’s landfills, wooden tableware is a safe and better choice. Wooden cutlery can also be constructed of any type of hardwood, such as birch and maple. Recycling wood cutlery with other food waste helps address the growing problem of plastic and other non-biodegradable, harmful substances in landfills and soils.
What are the disadvantages of wooden cutlery? Wood is an biodegradable, porous material that soaks in moisture and emits water from food and water. For this reason, wooden cutlery is unhygienic and not suitable for long-term use, as is silverware. Wooden tableware made from certain types of wood, such as cedar or cypress, can contaminate food with strong odors and oleoresins. This is considered to be disadvantage of wooden plates. However, most of the disposable wooden tableware is made of birch and pine wood, which is free of odors and smells. Wooden tableware is a by-product of wood construction, imported wood or recycled wood that may be exposed to chemicals during the washing or manufacturing process.
Most wooden cutlery is carefully sanded and smoothed for safe use. As wood dries, however, it may develop chips or cracks if improperly stored or handled. The risk of splitting is indeed rare, but it must be mentioned when comparing the safety of wooden cutlery, silver and plastic products.
Wooden cutlery is safe for the environment and a very adequate alternative to plastic for food preparation and consumption. When used as disposable cutlery for one or two purposes, wooden cutlery can be superior. However, as long-term utensils for daily use, wooden tableware is not durable and is not recommended.
Where can bamboo tableware be used in disposable tableware which is made of other materials. There are many benefits to using this type of cutlery. Bamboo can grow continuously, does not pollute the environment, and compost relatively quickly. However, it does cost more than many other materials and production is usually grown in conditions that make it more environmentally friendly than it looks. In Europe and the United States, which also require ships to grow bamboo, such as China, increase the cost of bamboo tableware.
One of the main benefits of bamboo tableware is that it can be composted. Bamboo is a natural wood and will break down, releasing nutrients back to the earth, where it can be used to help other plants grow. In order for the planet to benefit from the natural material of bamboo tableware, it needs to be placed on a compost heap and not in a landfill. When throwing garbage, this type of cutlery is no longer needed and will just generate more garbage, just like throwing out plastic cutlery.
Bamboo grows very quickly, usually at a rate of 2 feet (0.6 meters) per day. This can make a lot of bamboo cutlery from a small bamboo farm. This type of cutlery is also more durable than many disposable products and can be reused for a period of time before being composted.
