Bamboo Cutlery & Plates: A Restaurant Owner’s Guide to Saving Costs & the Environment

As a restaurant owner, you're going through thousands of plastic utensils a month. You're not alone: Americans use just over an estimated 40 billion plastic utensils every year. And these are utensils made of plastic and made for the landfill, which ultimately contributes to the 350 million tons of waste added to our landfills every year. 

But there’s no need to be all doom and gloom. There’s an easy solution. Swap out your plastics for something else: 

Bamboo cutlery and plates. 

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. 

Before we dive into the wonders of bamboo cutlery and plates and how they can your bottom line and the environment, let’s define some basic terms. 

What is bamboo cutlery? 

In the simplest of terms, bamboo cutlery is your sustainable and even more lightweight answer to single-use plastic tableware. Where plastic plates and silverware are notoriously wasteful and will take hundreds (if not thousands!) of years to degrade, bamboo cutlery is biodegradable. It’s a use it and compost it tool. 

How are bamboo utensils made? 

Bamboo cutlery can either be made by cutting something called a bamboo’s sheath, which is the outer layer of a bamboo’s culm (basically the bamboo’s “stem”). This bamboo “stem” is harvested, cleaned, and then cut down into workable pieces. These pieces are machine-pressed or hand-shaped into the general form of utensils.

While some smaller-scale or artisanal producers may handcraft each item, most modern manufacturing combines machinery for shaping and trimming with hand-finishing steps like sanding, smoothing, and applying protective coatings.

Since bamboo is naturally antimicrobial and doesn’t require harsh processing, many manufacturers still use food-safe oils or water-based sealants to improve durability and water resistance.

6 Key benefits of using bamboo plates & cutlery in restaurants 

There are so many benefits to using bamboo tableware. For one thing, it looks really cool! Here’s are the pros you can expect when you make the leap to bamboo: 

#1: Elevated Aesthetic

Bamboo utensils bring a timeless, natural beauty to the table. With origins dating back centuries in China, bamboo flatware carries an understated elegance that plastic simply can’t match. This lends your bamboo flatware an air of style. Customers will appreciate the earthy look of bamboo utensils, adding a more refined and thoughtful touch to their dining experience.

#2: Budget and planet-friendly

Bamboo utensils do have a higher upfront cost at between $0.10-0.25 per piece compared to the $0.03-0.05 for plastic, but many restaurant owners prefer bamboo. 

Why? 

Bamboo means reduced plastic waste, savings on water, less labor, and potential tax incentives for sustainable business practices. Not to mention the ability to charge a premium because your new eco-conscious customers are willing to support brands that prioritize sustainable practices. This makes the switch to bamboo utensil sets well worth the investment. 

And bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on the planet, so costs should remain stable, unlike petroleum-based plastics that fluctuate depending on oil prices.  

#3: Compostable and earth-friendly

Bamboo tableware is a versatile choice when it comes to sustainability. If you’ve decided on a reusable set and care for it properly, you’ve made a purchase that can last you for years. 

And if single-use is the best fit for you, your compost is excited already. There’s nothing better for a compost pile than a retired set of bamboo cutlery!

#4: Stronger than you think 

Unlike flimsy plastic utensils or soggy paper plates, bamboo tableware is surprisingly strong. It's durable enough to handle hearty meals without bending or breaking, giving your guests a better dining experience and fewer bad experiences with cheap products.

#5: A marketing win for your brand

Today's diners prefer sustainability. In fact, 73% of customers say they consider sustainability when picking a spot to eat. 

So your investment in bamboo cutlery and plates means more than just aesthetic appeal – it means a stronger draw for customers who will happily spread news of your new sustainability efforts. 

#6: Lightweight and easy to handle

A bamboo fork is much lighter than a metal one. A plastic fork can weigh up to 6 grams versus a bamboo fork weighing about 3. This makes it easier for some customers to eat. You won’t have to worry about your employees hauling around heavy boxes of tableware either. 

#7: No washing, no worries

Disposable bamboo means faster cleanup, fewer staff hours, and one less thing to manage during peak times. All you have to do is set up a collection station for used bamboo utensils so at the end of the day used utensils and plates can be run out to your compost pile. 

How you can get started with bamboo plates & cutlery 

The hardest step in getting started with bamboo plates and cutlery is to find the best supplier. Some bamboo utensils are assembled in pieces with glue, making them much weaker, so it’s important to do your research. 

At Plastic Detox we specialize in restaurant-grade bamboo utensil sets designed with style and the environment in mind. 

Ready to see the difference? Request your FREE bamboo plates and cutlery samples so you can upgrade your restaurant’s sustainability today. 

Get Your Free Bamboo Utensil Starter Kit

Common bamboo plates & cutlery concerns

Is bamboo cutlery good for the environment?

Yes! Bamboo cutlery is great for the environment. It’s harvested from a fast-growing source that has 35% more oxygen than your average tree. 

And unlike biodegradable plastic, bamboo decomposes much faster and won’t be finicky about the state of your compost pile. 

How do I dispose of my bamboo cutlery? 

Disposing of bamboo plates and cutlery is simple! You can just toss your used bamboo into your restaurant’s compost pile. It’ll degrade naturally and enrich the soil, completely hands-off. 

How long does it take for bamboo cutlery and plates to compost? 

As we mentioned, bamboo composts much faster than even it’s other eco-friendly cohort like biodegradable plastic. Bamboo will begin decomposing about 4-6 months and break down completely in roughly 6-12 months, though this varies depending on the conditions of your compost pile.