Which Type of Tableware is the Greenest? A Guide to Choosing Reusable Options

Isabel Mack
Oct 14, 2021
6 min read

Updated: Sep 18

Last Updated: September 2025

One of the most common questions I get when helping people set up new party kits is:“Which type of tableware is the greenest?”

It sounds like it should have a simple answer, but it’s not that straightforward. There are many types of reusable tableware, and each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.

What is clear, though, is this: reusable tableware is always a better choice than disposable. By avoiding single-use items, you save resources, cut waste, and reduce the environmental impact from production to disposal.

The aim of this blog post is to guide you through the different types of reusable tableware, explain their pros and cons, and help you choose the best option for your own party kit.

My Approach

For this guide, I’ve focused on tableware that is most practical for children’s parties, as that’s the main use for party kits.

When comparing each type, I’ve looked at:

Suitability: How safe and practical it is, especially for kids.
Production: The environmental cost of making it.
Use: Whether it works for cold food, hot drinks, in the dishwasher or microwave.
Practicality: How heavy it is, how affordable, and how long it lasts.
End-of-life: What happens when it eventually wears out. Can it be repaired or recycled?

This way, you can see the full picture before deciding what works best for your kit.

Plastic

Plastic tableware made from new (virgin) petroleum-based plastic is still the most common choice. It’s cheap, colourful, lightweight, and safe for kids. Examples include IKEA’s KALAS range (polypropylene, or PP plastic) and Harfield Tableware (polycarbonate, PC, or copolyester, COPE).

Environmental impact of production: Making new plastic relies on oil, a non-renewable fossil fuel. Extracting and refining oil causes environmental damage, and producing plastic releases harmful chemicals.
Suitability for children’s parties: Designed with kids in mind, these items are durable and hard to break.
Hot drinks: Most plastics aren’t suitable for hot drinks above 70°C. Harfield’s polycarbonate range is an exception, but generally plastic is best kept for cold food and drinks.
Dishwasher safe: Yes, most plastic tableware can go in the dishwasher. Some ranges are labelled as top-rack only, but in my experience they also wash fine on the bottom rack when using an ‘eco’ cycle, as this runs at a lower temperature.
Microwave safe: Technically, these plastics can be microwaved for short reheating.
Health considerations: Most reputable brands are free from BPA, BPS and phthalates, but avoid using cracked or damaged pieces as bacteria can build up. Heating plastic (especially in a microwave) may release chemicals, so it’s safest to use only for cold or room-temperature food and drinks.
Affordability: Generally plastic tableware is very affordable. IKEA’s KALAS plates, for example, cost about £1 for six.
Weight: Lightweight – ideal if you’re transporting party kits.
End-of-life: Broken or scratched plastic can’t be repaired, but pieces can sometimes be repurposed for crafts. Most virgin plastics can be recycled and recycling of PP plastic (IKEA) is fairly accessible. (Harfield also accepts returns of their products for recycling.)

Recycled Plastic

Made from plastics that have already been used once – for example, milk bottles or yoghurt pots. Popular brands include US-made brand Re-Play.

Environmental impact of production: Although recycled plastic still comes from oil originally, reusing it keeps waste out of landfill and reduces demand for new plastic.
Suitability for children’s parties: Strong, colourful, and safe for kids.
Hot drinks: Not recommended for hot drinks.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Technically yes, but as with virgin plastic, best avoided.
Health considerations: Generally safe and food-grade, but like virgin plastic, avoid using with very hot foods or in the microwave. Always check the brand’s testing standards, as safety depends on how the recycled material has been processed.
Affordability: More expensive than IKEA’s virgin plastic, but still mid-range compared to other options.
Weight: Lightweight, easy to transport.
End-of-life: Not repairable once scratched or cracked, meaning it is best to avoid using metal cutlery on recycled plastic plates. Can often be recycled again through local schemes.

Melamine

A type of plastic made from melamine resin. It’s very durable, colourful, and popular with brands like Danish brand RICE.

Environmental impact of production: Manufacturing involves chemicals that can pollute air and water. Unlike standard plastic tableware, melamine is not made from oil, but it still has a significant environmental footprint.
Suitability for children’s parties: Durable and often comes in bright colours and patterns, making it a better option for themed kits
Hot drinks: Not suitable for hot drinks.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Not microwave safe.
Health considerations: Melamine can leach into food if used with hot liquids or very acidic foods. It should never be microwaved. Safe for cold food use when intact, but replace if it chips or cracks.
Affordability: Usually more expensive, though seasonal sales of picnicware can help make it more affordable.
Weight: Heavier than plastic but still manageable.
End-of-life: Cannot be repaired safely. Technically recyclable, but very few facilities accept it. In practice, it usually goes into general waste.

Enamel

Enamel is made by fusing powdered glass onto steel. Think camping mugs or the traditional blue-rimmed plates from brands like Falcon

Environmental impact of production: Requires high heat (energy-intensive) to fuse the enamel onto metal.
Suitability for children’s parties: Durable but can chip if dropped.
Hot drinks: Yes, suitable for hot drinks. But enamelware can get hot to touch, so handle with care.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Microwave safe: Not microwave safe (because of the metal).
Health considerations: Safe and non-toxic, but chipped enamel can expose the metal underneath. Small chips are usually harmless, but sharp edges can be unsafe for children and should be avoided.
Affordability: More expensive than plastic.
Weight: Heavier than plastic and melamine, but lighter than stainless steel.
End-of-life: Chips can sometimes be repaired with food-safe epoxy, but enamelware is generally not recyclable.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is made from an alloy (a mixture of metals - mainly iron and chromium). Adding chromium gives the steel its rust-resistant properties, making it safe and long-lasting. Because it’s plastic-free, durable, and fully recyclable, stainless steel has become an increasingly popular choice for party kits.

Environmental impact of production: High energy and resource use in manufacturing, but often made with recycled material. Becomes very sustainable after many reuses.
Suitability for children’s parties: Extremely durable and safe (no coatings or chemicals). Won’t chip or crack.
Hot drinks: Yes, suitable for hot drinks. But like enamel, it gets hot to touch, unless it has an insulated design.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Microwave safe: Not microwave safe (metal).
Health considerations: Considered one of the safest options, with no chemical coatings or resins. However, stainless steel can get hot to the touch with hot foods or drinks, so take care when serving to children.
Affordability: More expensive to buy, but long-lasting.
Weight: Heavier than all other options. Consider splitting your kit into smaller boxes if you choose stainless steel.
End-of-life: Fully recyclable and often repairable (scratches can be polished, dents can be fixed).

Tableware to Avoid

When assembling a party kit, there are certain types of tableware you should avoid, especially if you're sourcing items secondhand:

Moulded bamboo: Once popular for its "plastic-free" appeal and aesthetic qualities, moulded bamboo tableware is no longer recommended. To make it dishwasher-safe, it often contains a plastic binder, leading to health concerns. As a result, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has banned its sale and advises against its use.
Wheat straw and other plant-based plastics (PLA): These were initially chosen by those seeking to avoid petroleum-based plastics. However, like bamboo tableware, they have also been flagged by the UK FSA for safety concerns and are no longer on sale in the UK.

For more detail, see my post: Safety Alert: What You Need to Know About Bamboo and Wheat Straw Tableware

Conclusion

There’s no single “perfect” tableware choice. Every option has an environmental impact, whether during production or at the end of its life.

For many of us who have worked hard to reduce single-use plastics, it can feel disappointing that plastic tableware is still one of the most practical options for party kits. Ideally, we would see demand for virgin plastic falling - but current projections suggest it’s set to rise. That makes it even more important that we do what we can to reduce demand in our own communities, whether by choosing secondhand plastic or by using alternatives where they work well.

At the same time, we need to be cautious of products marketed as “eco” or “biodegradable.” As we’ve seen with moulded bamboo, not all alternatives are what they claim to be, and some can even pose health risks.

The key takeaway is this: reusable is always better than disposable.

If you can, choose preloved or secondhand tableware to reduce your impact further. And whatever you pick (plastic, enamel, stainless steel, or a mix) you’ll be helping to cut waste and support more sustainable celebrations.

If you’re thinking of starting your own party kit, don’t forget to download my free Get Started Guide.