Introduction
With the global popularity of environmental protection concepts such as "zero waste" and "carbon neutrality", the catering industry is undergoing a profound change. According to a report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), more than 400 million tons of plastic waste are generated worldwide each year, which has put tremendous pressure on the ecological environment. Against this background, environmentally friendly alternatives such as disposable wooden spoons have ushered in development opportunities. (source:Taking on plastic pollution)
In the global catering industry, disposable tableware has become an indispensable part of daily operations. However, more and more countries and regions have begun to introduce policies to restrict the use of disposable plastic products. For example, the European Union has banned the production and sale of a variety of disposable plastic products, including disposable plastic spoons, since 2021. This trend has prompted companies to re-examine their tableware choices and find more environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions. This article will compare disposable wooden spoons with disposable plastic spoons in detail from multiple angles to provide B-end customers with a comprehensive and reliable reference. (source:Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive - Directive (EU) 2019/904)
Environmental protection comparison
1. Environmental protection of disposable wooden spoons
- Degradability: Disposable wooden spoons are made of sustainably sourced birch and have excellent degradability. According to the test of the American Biodegradable Products Association (BPI), under composting conditions, disposable wooden spoons can be completely degraded within 3-6 months without forming long-term pollution in the environment. This feature greatly reduces the burden on landfills and conforms to the concept of circular economy.
- Sustainability: 100% of the raw materials of disposable wooden spoons come from sustainable forestry management areas certified by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). FSC certification ensures that the logging and production processes of wood follow strict environmental and social responsibility standards.
- Carbon footprint: Compared with disposable plastic spoons, disposable wooden spoons have significantly lower carbon emissions during the production process. The growth process of wood absorbs carbon dioxide, and each cubic meter of wood can absorb about 1 ton of carbon dioxide, which makes the wooden spoon have a carbon negative effect in the early stages of its life cycle. The processing of disposable wooden spoons mainly involves cutting and hot pressing, with low energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. (source: Research by EU Science Hub)
2. Environmental friendliness of disposable plastic spoons
- Difficult to degrade: Disposable plastic spoons are mainly made of petrochemical products and are extremely difficult to degrade in the natural environment. According to data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it may take 450 years or even longer for disposable plastic spoons to completely decompose, and they will continue to accumulate in the environment, forming "white pollution". (source: IUCN report on plastic pollution)
- Resource consumption: Its production process is highly dependent on non-renewable petroleum resources and consumes a lot of energy. According to relevant literature, for every ton of plastic produced, about 3 tons of oil are consumed and a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions are generated. (source: Manufacturing energy and greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastics consumption)
- Environmental hazards: Plastic spoons will release microplastics after decomposition in the environment. These microplastics enter water bodies and soil, are ingested by animals and plants, and then affect human health through the food chain. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed microplastics as one of the potential health threats. (source: Report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022)
Tableware performance comparison
1. Durability
- Disposable wooden spoon: The strength of the disposable wooden spoon is moderate, which can meet the use of most hot and cold food scenarios, such as ordinary soups, salads, ice cream, etc. However, under extreme conditions, such as long-term immersion in liquid, its durability will be affected to a certain extent.
- Disposable plastic spoon: The disposable plastic spoon has excellent resistance to breakage and strong durability, and can adapt to a variety of complex use scenarios. However, in a high temperature environment, the plastic spoon will also become soft or deformed, affecting the use experience.
2 . Heat resistance and safety
- Disposable wooden spoon: Disposable wooden spoon does not release chemicals at high temperatures and meets international food safety standards. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made it clear that wooden tableware that has been compliantly treated can be safely used to hold high-temperature foods. This feature makes it an ideal choice for holding hot foods such as hot soup and coffee. However, it is not recommended that wooden spoons be in contact with overheated food for a long time, which will cause the wooden spoon to deform
- Disposable plastic spoon: Disposable plastic spoons may release harmful substances such as bisphenol A (BPA) at high temperatures. Research by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) shows that long-term exposure to BPA may interfere with the human endocrine system. Therefore, there are certain safety risks in using disposable plastic spoons to hold high-temperature foods. (source: Scientific opinion on BPA issued by EFSA)
3 . User experience
- Disposable wooden spoon: The natural texture and comfortable feel of disposable wooden spoon bring consumers a unique dining experience. It does not affect the taste of food, but adds a touch of natural flavor, which is especially suitable for high-end catering and experience-oriented consumption scenarios.
- Disposable plastic spoon: Although the surface of plastic spoon is smooth, the use experience is relatively simple, and some plastic spoons may also have a slight plastic odor, which affects the taste of food.
Cost Comparison
1. Raw material cost
- Disposable wooden spoon: The raw material cost of disposable wooden spoon is relatively stable. With the development of sustainable forestry management and technological progress, the supply of raw materials is becoming increasingly sufficient, and the cost is expected to be further reduced. Disposable wooden spoon manufacturers are expected to effectively control costs through large-scale procurement and optimized production processes
- Disposable plastic spoon: Its cost is highly dependent on oil price fluctuations. Price changes in the international crude oil market will directly affect the raw material cost of disposable plastic spoons, resulting in unstable prices.
2. Production and processing costs
- Disposable wooden spoons: In the past, the production and processing of disposable wooden spoons was relatively complicated, resulting in high costs. However, with the application of automated production technology, production efficiency has been greatly improved and costs have gradually decreased. Some advanced disposable wooden spoon manufacturers use intelligent production lines to achieve full process automation from raw material processing to finished product packaging. (source: jiaxun factory)
- Disposable plastic spoons: The cost of mass production of disposable plastic spoons is low, but with the tightening of environmental protection policies, companies may need to invest more funds in environmental protection equipment and technology upgrades to meet emission standards, which will increase additional costs.
3. Comprehensive use cost
- Disposable wooden spoon: Although the initial purchase cost of disposable wooden spoon is slightly higher, in the long run, its environmental advantages, brand image enhancement effect and policy compliance can bring higher comprehensive benefits. Enterprises choose disposable wooden spoons to help improve consumers' favorability towards the brand and enhance market competitiveness.
- Disposable plastic spoon: Although the short-term purchase cost is lower, it may face risks brought by policy restrictions and changes in consumer preferences in the long run. As more and more regions ban the use of disposable plastic tableware, companies may need to bear the additional cost of replacing tableware.
Market and user preferences
Market Status
- Disposable wooden spoons: In recent years, the market share of disposable wooden cutlery has shown a significant upward trend, especially in the European and American markets. According to a report by Dataintelo, the global disposable wooden spoon market (part of disposable wooden cutlery) will be worth approximately $300 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $780 million by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% (source: Disposable Wooden Cutlery Market Outlook). Consumers' preference for environmentally friendly products has become the main driving force for its growth.
- Disposable plastic spoons: Although the current market share of disposable plastic spoons is still high, with the strengthening of environmental protection policies and the improvement of consumers' environmental awareness, their market share is gradually being replaced by environmentally friendly tableware such as disposable wooden spoons.
User Preferences
Consumers: According to Ipsos' global consumer research, 71% of consumers said they would give priority to products that do not harm plants and animals when purchasing products. In addition, 63% of consumers said they try to choose products packaged in renewable materials (such as paper). This shows that consumers are increasingly inclined to environmentally friendly packaging and sustainable products in their purchasing decisions. (source: fsc global consumer recognition study)
B-end customers: B-end companies such as airlines, chain restaurants, and catering supply wholesalers are paying more and more attention to brand image and sustainable development. For example, many European airlines have replaced disposable plastic spoons on board with disposable wooden spoons to reduce plastic waste; McDonald's, Starbucks and other chain restaurants have also gradually promoted environmentally friendly tableware to enhance the brand's sense of social responsibility.
Choose jiaxun factory--professional manufacturer
As a professional manufacturer who has been deeply involved in the field of disposable wooden spoons for many years, we are committed to providing high-quality, sustainable and environmentally friendly tableware solutions for B-end customers around the world.
- In terms of production strength, we have advanced intelligent production lines, and we strictly control every link from raw material screening to finished product processing. We use FSC-certified high-quality birch to ensure that all raw materials come from sustainably managed forests; through large-scale production and efficient management, we further reduce production costs while ensuring product quality, and provide customers with more cost-effective products.
- In terms of product advantages, our product line is rich and diverse, covering disposable wooden spoon and fork sets, disposable wooden ice cream spoons and other types. Whether it is fast food, take-out, high-end banquets, or airline in-flight dining, it can meet your diverse needs. Each product has been carefully designed, with natural wood texture and comfortable grip, which brings consumers a unique dining experience, while not affecting the original flavor of the food, helping you improve customer satisfaction and brand image.
- In terms of cooperation model, we support disposable wooden spoons bulk and disposable wooden spoons wholesale. Whether it is small and medium-sized orders or large-volume needs, we can respond quickly and deliver in time. In addition, we also provide customized services, from product size, shape to packaging design, all can be customized according to your brand characteristics and usage scenarios, making tableware a carrier for your brand promotion.
Over the years, we have established long-term cooperative relationships with many well-known overseas companies, and our products are exported to Europe, America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and other regions. With
stable quality, considerate service and good reputation, we have won unanimous praise from customers.
Disposable wooden spoon hot selling style
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FAQ
Q: Is the cost of a disposable wooden spoon higher?
A: From the initial purchase point of view, the cost of a disposable wooden spoon is indeed slightly higher than that of a plastic spoon. However, in the long run, as environmental protection policies restrict plastic products, plastic spoons may face additional compliance costs; while disposable wooden spoons can effectively balance the overall cost due to the brand premium and policy support brought by their environmental advantages. At the same time, as a professional manufacturer, we minimize your procurement costs through large-scale production and optimized processes, providing you with cost-effective options.
Q: Are disposable wooden spoons suitable for high-temperature foods?
A: Disposable wooden spoons have a certain degree of heat resistance and can be safely used to hold ordinary high-temperature foods, such as hot soup, coffee, etc. However, it should be noted that excessively high temperatures or prolonged contact with overheated food will cause the tableware to deform. It is recommended to avoid such extreme usage scenarios.
Q: How to ensure the sustainability of the supply chain of disposable wooden spoons?
A: We strictly use FSC certified birch as raw material to ensure that the raw material source of each wooden spoon meets the sustainable development standards. At the same time, we have established a complete supply chain management system, from raw material procurement, transportation, to production and processing, product delivery, the whole process is traceable and monitorable to ensure the sustainability and stability of the supply chain.
Q: Can you provide disposable wooden spoon and fork sets?
A: Of course. We provide disposable wooden spoon and fork sets in various specifications, suitable for different catering scenarios, whether it is fast food, take-out or high-end banquets, we can meet your needs. Welcome to call [0086 15154221612], email [jenny@jiaxunwood.com] or visit our website [https://www.biojxcutlery.com] for details and quotes.
Q: Can I buy a large number of disposable wooden spoons wholesale?
A: Yes. We support disposable wooden spoons wholesale. Whether you need disposable wooden spoons bulk or customized packaging, we can provide flexible solutions according to your needs. Bulk purchases can also enjoy more favorable prices. Looking forward to working with you.
If you need to learn more about the product details, get a quote or customize a plan, please feel free to contact us through the following methods:
Tel: [0086 15154221612]
Email: [jenny@jiaxunwood.com]
Website: [https://www.biojxcutlery.com/]
Looking forward to cooperating with you to jointly explore the broad prospects of the environmentally friendly tableware market!
