Omar Khalid
Plastic utensils, sometimes called plastic silverware, are commonly used in the food and beverage industry as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cutlery. They are lightweight, easy to store, and facilitate quick cleanups, making them popular for disposable use. Despite the name silverware, these utensils are not necessarily made of silver or silver-plated; the term is used as a generic catch-all for eating tools. In the US, silverware is more commonly used than cutlery, and plastic versions of these utensils are often marketed as silver plastic silverware or simply plastic silverware. While convenient, plastic utensils are not recyclable due to their small size and varying plastic types, contributing to waste concerns. As a result, eco-friendly alternatives made from plant starch, cornstarch, bamboo, and wood are becoming more popular.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Cutlery, Silverware, Flatware, Plastic Silverware, Plastic Cutlery, Go-Wear |
| Description | Plastic forks, spoons, and knives |
| Use cases | Everyday use, special occasions, weddings, tasting menus, free samples, airline meals, fast-food restaurants, takeaways, parties |
| Colors | Silver, Gold, White |
| Materials | Traditional plastic, PLA plastic, Plant starch, Cornstarch, Sugarcane, Bamboo, Wood |
| Properties | Recyclable, Lightweight, Durable, Biodegradable, Compostable, Protected from dirt and germs |
| Advantages | Cost-effective, Easy to store, Easy cleanup |
| Disadvantages | Not recyclable due to small size and varying plastic types, Prone to bending and breaking |
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What You'll Learn
'Plastic silverware' is a common term in the US
Plastic silverware is a common term in the US for plastic forks, spoons, and knives. In the food and beverage industry, these utensils are also referred to as "go-wear". The term "silverware" is used in the US to refer to any metal cutlery, including those made of actual silver, silver-plated metal, or stainless steel.
In the UK, cutlery is the general term for these utensils, while silverware implies actual silver. In the US, "silverware" is a catch-all term for traditional western eating utensils, regardless of the material they are made of. Flatware is another term used to refer to cutlery, but it is less common and often used in a commercial context.
The use of plastic silverware is prevalent in the US, especially in the fast-food industry and for airline meals. They are also popular among consumers who prefer quick and easy clean-up after parties or similar events. Plastic silverware is lightweight, easy to store, and cost-effective, making it a popular choice for disposable utensils.
There are various types of plastic used for disposable utensils, including traditional plastic, PLA plastic derived from renewable sources, and biodegradable materials like sugarcane, bamboo, wheat straw, and various types of flours. Plastic utensils are usually not recyclable due to their small size and varying plastic types, which can be difficult to sort correctly.
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'Silverware' implies actual silver
The term "silverware" is used to describe a variety of utensils, including those made from plastic. While the word "silverware" may imply actual silver, it is not always the case. In the United States, "silverware" is a catch-all term for traditional western eating utensils, regardless of their material composition. This usage of the term is common in American English, where it can refer to any utensil used for eating, including those made from plastic.
However, some people argue that the term "silverware" should be reserved for utensils made from actual silver or silver-plated metals. In this context, "silverware" is a formal term that specifically refers to utensils crafted from precious metals. This usage is supported by the etymology of the word "silverware," which suggests a connection to silver as a material.
The distinction between "silverware" and "cutlery" is worth noting. "Cutlery" is a general term for eating utensils and can be made from various materials such as wood, plastic, or silver. It is a more specific term than "utensils," which can refer to both eating and cooking tools. "Flatware" is another term that is sometimes used interchangeably with "cutlery" and "silverware", although it is less common in everyday conversation.
The usage of these terms can vary regionally and culturally. For example, in the United Kingdom, "cutlery" is the preferred term for eating utensils, while "silverware" may be used to describe a more upscale set of utensils, possibly made from silver or silver-plated metals.
The material composition of utensils is an important consideration, especially in the context of disposability and sustainability. Plastic utensils, for instance, are lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to store, but they contribute to waste and are not easily recyclable due to their small size and varying plastic types. As a result, alternative materials such as PLA plastic, wood, bamboo, and plant starch are being explored for more sustainable disposable utensils.
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'Flatware' is a commercial description
In the food and beverage industry, plastic forks, spoons, and knives are commonly referred to as "Go-Wear". This term has been used for decades by veteran F&B staff, although it is unclear how familiar newer staff are with the term. Plastic utensils are also commonly referred to as "plastic silverware", "cutlery", or "flatware".
Flatware is a commercial description that would be used on the box of some silverware. It is a more formal term used to describe cutlery in stores where such items are sold. Flatware is a fancier-sounding word than cutlery, and it is often used to make the product seem more appealing to customers.
In the United States, "silverware" is a catch-all, generic term that can be used to describe traditional western eating utensils. The material of the utensil is inconsequential. Silverware is commonly used as a synonym for cutlery, although actual silver utensils can also be referred to as silverware. Plastic utensils can be referred to as "silver plastic silverware", although this term may be considered oxymoronic.
There are several different varieties of disposable flatware, ranging from plastic utensils to eco-friendly alternatives. Plastic utensils are one of the least expensive disposable flatware options and are lightweight and easy to store. They are also recyclable and require significantly less energy to produce. However, they are not always recycled due to their small, skinny shape and the variety of plastic types used in their production.
Overall, the term "flatware" is a commercial description used to describe cutlery in a formal setting, such as on a product box or in a store.
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'Go-Wear' is industry jargon
In the food and beverage business, plastic forks, spoons, and knives are commonly referred to as "Go-Wear", a term that has been used for decades by veteran F&B staff. However, it is doubtful that newcomers to the industry are familiar with this piece of industry jargon. While the term "Go-Wear" is specific to the food and beverage industry, there are several other terms used to refer to plastic utensils more generally.
In the United States, silverware is a catch-all, generic term that can be used to describe traditional western eating utensils, regardless of the material they are made from. "Silverware" is more common in the US than "cutlery", which is generally used to refer to cutting instruments like knives and scissors, and "flatware", which is rarely used. "Silverware" is also often used in the UK, although cutlery is the more traditional term. "Plastic silverware" is a common term used to refer to disposable plastic utensils, although some may refer to them simply as "plastic cutlery" or "plasticware".
In the context of disposable tableware, plastic utensils are one of the least expensive and lightweight options, making them easy to store and ideal for travel. They are also recyclable, although their small, skinny shape means they often fall through or get stuck in recycling machinery. Plastic utensils are usually made from plastic #1, plastic #5, plastic #6, or bioplastic, and these varying types of plastic make them difficult to sort correctly.
There are also several eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastic utensils, such as disposable wooden utensils, which are more elegant and lend themselves to upscale dining experiences, or disposable bamboo utensils, which are lightweight yet durable. Other eco-friendly materials include plant starch and cornstarch, which can be used with heavy foods, and sugarcane, which cannot.
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'Plasticware' is used when referring to plastic cutlery
There are several terms used to refer to plastic cutlery, with some variation depending on the region and context. While “cutlery” is a general term for eating tools, “silverware” is typically used to refer to traditional western eating utensils and often implies actual silver. However, in the United States, “silverware” is commonly used regardless of the material, including for plastic cutlery. This usage is also observed in the United Kingdom, where "silverware" is the default term for many.
In the food and beverage industry, plastic cutlery is sometimes referred to as “Go-Wear,” although this term may be less familiar to newer staff. Another term that has been used to describe plastic cutlery is “flatware,” which is often seen as a commercial or formal description. However, some people distinguish between "flatware" and "cutlery" based on the material, with "flatware" referring to wooden or plastic utensils and "silverware" referring to actual silver.
To avoid any ambiguity, especially when referring specifically to plastic cutlery, the term “plasticware” or “plastic silverware” is often used. This phrase explicitly denotes the material while still conveying the function of the utensils. This usage is particularly relevant when contrasting with non-plastic or silver cutlery, such as in the context of disposable tableware or recyclable utensils.
The term "plasticware" emphasizes the material composition of the cutlery, which can be important in certain situations. For example, plastic utensils are lightweight, easy to store, and cost-effective, making them popular for disposable tableware. However, they are not typically recyclable due to their small size and varying plastic types, so they are generally treated as garbage.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several names for plastic silverware, including "plastic silverware", "plastic cutlery", "plastic utensils", "plastic flatware", and "go-wear".
Eco-friendly alternatives to plastic utensils include disposable wooden utensils, disposable bamboo utensils, plant starch utensils, and cornstarch utensils. These options are more sustainable and create less waste.
Plastic utensils are lightweight, easy to store, and cost-effective. They are also protected from dirt and germs when wrapped in plastic, making them ideal for takeout and delivery services.
Cutlery is a general term for eating tools and can be made of various materials such as wood or plastic. Silverware implies actual silver and is often used as a catch-all term for traditional western eating utensils. Flatware is a less common term that refers to eating utensils and is considered more formal.
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