Having plenty of crockery, cutlery, cups and accessories on hand is essential when catering for a large-scale event. If you run short of any essentials when serving up a wedding breakfast or mixing drinks for a corporate event, it could have a major impact on the smooth running of your operations and even bring things to a complete halt.

Washing up plates, knives, forks and glasses takes time. What’s more, a lot of outdoor event spaces don’t have washing up facilities. One of the best ways to ensure you have all the crockery, cutlery and accessories you need is to use disposables. Saving you time and providing you with everything you need for your event, disposables can be a real lifesaver when it comes to professional catering.

If you’re planning on using disposables for an upcoming event, learning as much as possible about the products available will help you find the perfect pieces for your needs. Keep reading to find out more.

Why choose disposables?

If you cater for large-scale events, disposables can make your life much easier. Eradicating the need to wash up piles of crockery and cutlery, and making your clean up a lot faster, disposables allow professionals to provide food and drink to large groups of people quickly and easily.

As they’re lighter and less fragile than ceramic or glass alternatives, disposables are easier to transport between venues. In fact, if you’re ordering disposables from an online supplier, you can have them sent straight to your venue, making your set up more convenient than ever.

At the end of the event, simply throw disposables in the bin and you’ll be cleared up and ready to head home in moments.

Keeping it green

One of the main concerns companies have when using disposables is the environment. Throwing knives, forks, plates and cups away after a single use doesn’t sound very green and many people are put off disposables for this exact reason.

However, although some disposable items can’t be described as environmentally friendly, there are some that definitely are. Products made from biodegradable and sustainable materials will have much less of an impact on the environment than those made from plastic. In fact, as long as you source and dispose of your products responsibly, there’s no reason your disposables should have a long-term negative impact on Mother Nature.

Materials

The main thing you need to consider when buying disposable products is the materials that are used to make them. As well as determining their environmental impact, the materials your products are made from will also dictate how well they perform and how suitable they are for specific functions.

Paper

One of the most common materials used for disposable plates and napkins is paper. Lightweight and affordable, paper plates can be used to serve appetisers, desserts and full meals.

As paper plates aren’t generally too strong, they’re not suitable for heavy, wet foods like curry and stew. However, you may be able to find reinforced paper plates that are specially designed for these types of foods.

If you’re trying to make your company as green as possible, make sure you select plates that are made with paper from sustainable sources. If possible, try to recycle your paper plates at the end of the event to further boost your green credentials.

If you need napkins for your event, paper is really your only option. Paper napkins are very affordable and are perfectly suited to the job they do.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a popular choice for companies looking for an eco-friendly solution to their disposable crockery and cutlery needs. Sustainable, lightweight, strong and biodegradable, it’s ideal for large-scale catering events.

Bamboo is most commonly used for cutlery, although you can also find bamboo bowls and cups. Bamboo knives, forks and spoons are often used by food stands and catering companies looking for a stylish solution to their needs, as one of the main benefits of bamboo cutlery is its appearance. More attractive than plastic knives and forks, bamboo alternatives will look great at your next event.

Wood

Like bamboo, wood is lightweight and sustainable. Wooden forks are already commonly available in fish and chip shops, so there’s a good chance your customers will have come across them already.

Wooden cutlery is a great choice for outdoor events as, unlike plastic, any broken or lost pieces will eventually rot away. There are various types of disposable wooden cutlery available, so finding a product that suits your needs should be easy.

Microwavable Materials

If you need to be able to microwave food on your disposable crockery, it’s essential you choose products that are suitable for the purpose. Check the description of the plates and bowls you’re interested in, or speak to your supplier to find out which materials are best suited to your needs.

Disposable crockery and cutlery can be a great solution for large-scale events. To find out more about the products available, and to begin shopping for disposable cutlery and crockery of your own, explore our site or get in touch with a member of our team.