20 SKUs · From $5.00 – $15.00 per case
· Freight quoted separately
Disposable Foodservice Cutlery
Disposable cutlery in foodservice is dominated by polypropylene (PP) — the right balance of weight, durability, and cost. Polystyrene (PS) cutlery is still in use but declining as states tighten foodservice plastic regulations and as PS’s brittleness has become a customer-perceived quality signal. Compostable cutlery (CPLA, PLA, wood, bamboo) is mandated in select markets and increasingly preferred by eco-positioned brands.
PP (polypropylene) flexes slightly before breaking — it's the modern standard for medium-weight foodservice cutlery. PS (polystyrene) is more rigid but more brittle; the tines snap rather than bend. PS is being phased out in foam/EPS ban states even though it's not foam. PP is microwave-safe up to ~230°F; PS is not.
What does "medium weight" vs "heavy weight" mean?+
Weight in grams per piece. Medium-weight PP forks are typically 2.5g; heavy-weight PP is 5.0–5.2g. Heavy is for sit-down or hearty meal applications (catering, full takeout dinners). Medium is for casual lunch and snack applications.
Should I order bulk or individually-wrapped cutlery?+
Bulk is cheaper per piece and lower-waste, but requires a dispenser or a tray-style display. Individually wrapped (in poly film) is essential for delivery and to-go where the cutlery has to travel separately from the food. For ghost kitchens and delivery-heavy operations, individually wrapped is the standard.
Is foodservice cutlery recyclable?+
PP cutlery is technically recycling code #5, but most municipal programs don't accept small-format plastic items because the sorting machines can't separate them. PP cutlery is rarely recycled in practice. For compostable options, use CPLA or wooden cutlery instead.
What does CPLA mean and is it compostable?+
CPLA = Crystallized Polylactic Acid, a heat-treated PLA bioplastic. CPLA cutlery is industrially compostable (BPI certified at the case level for most major brands) and heat-stable up to ~200°F — significantly better than standard PLA, which warps around 113°F. CPLA is the right choice for compostable mandate markets where customers expect a non-plastic feel.
How many pieces ship per case?+
1000 per case is the industry standard for both PP and PS. Cutlery kits ship at 250 or 500 per case depending on contents. Pallet-level density is higher than for cups — 40–168 cases per pallet depending on box dimensions.