PLA Small Cutlery Set | 180 Pieces

Plant-Based Disposable Cutlery (Not Home Compostable)

180 pieces of small PLA cutlery for events, parties, or outdoor gatherings where reusable isn't practical. Made from plant-based materials (cornstarch) rather than petroleum-based plastic.

Important: These require industrial composting facilities to break down. They will NOT compost in your home compost heap, and most council garden waste collections don't accept them. In reality, these will likely end up in general waste. They're still better than petroleum plastic, but be realistic about disposal.

The smaller size makes these ideal for appetisers, desserts, tasting events, or children's parties where full-sized cutlery would be excessive.

What You Get

• 180 pieces total
• 60 forks
• 60 knives
• 60 spoons
• Made from PLA (polylactic acid derived from cornstarch)
• Compostable in industrial composting facilities

What PLA Actually Means

PLA (polylactic acid) is a bioplastic made from fermented plant starch, typically corn. Unlike conventional plastic cutlery made from petroleum, PLA is derived from renewable resources and can break down under the right conditions.

The important caveat: PLA requires industrial composting facilities to break down properly. It won't decompose in your home compost bin or if it ends up in landfill. However, it's still a better choice than conventional plastic for situations where disposable cutlery is necessary.

When to Use These

These work well for:

• Outdoor events where washing up facilities aren't available
• Large gatherings where providing enough reusable cutlery isn't practical
• Catered events requiring disposables
• Children's parties and tasting events where smaller cutlery is appropriate
• Picnics and outdoor dining

The Reality of PLA and Composting

Can you compost these at home? No. Your home compost heap doesn't get hot enough. PLA needs sustained temperatures of 55-60°C to break down. Home compost fluctuates too much. These will sit unchanged in your compost bin for years.

What about council garden waste? Maybe, but probably not. Most councils don't accept PLA in garden waste collections because they can't tell the difference between PLA and regular plastic, and they don't want contamination. You'd need to check with your specific council.

Industrial composting facilities? These exist and can break down PLA properly, but there aren't many in the UK, and you typically can't access them as an individual.

Realistic outcome: Most of these will end up in general waste. They're still better than petroleum-based plastic because they're made from renewable resources (corn) rather than fossil fuels. But be honest with yourself about where they'll actually end up.

Strength and Performance

PLA cutlery is sturdy enough for normal eating. The small size is perfect for lighter foods, appetisers, and desserts. It handles cold and room-temperature foods well. Very hot foods or liquids can cause PLA to soften slightly, so it's best suited for foods that aren't steaming hot.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight. PLA can soften if exposed to high temperatures for extended periods.

Why These Exist

Reusable cutlery is always the better choice. Always. But sometimes disposables are genuinely necessary: large outdoor events, catered functions, situations where washing up isn't possible.

When you do need disposables, PLA cutlery is better than petroleum plastic because it's made from renewable plant resources. It's not a perfect solution, and it probably won't actually compost. But it's less bad than the alternative.

Use these when disposables are truly necessary, not as a routine replacement for washing up.