The world of catering and event plates has evolved a lot in recent years, so much so that it is logical that many customers recognise that they feel lost when choosing between so many types of disposable and reusable plates. What materials are available and which ones will best suit my needs? Do I choose simple designs or do I go for more complex designs? What should I look for when choosing the perfect model for my business?
don’t get overwhelmed! We are aware of the mess it can be to have to decide between so many types of reusable and disposable plates, and that is why we have prepared this complete buying guide in which we will give you the necessary advice to discover all their characteristics, the immense options you have in our shop and how to select the ones that best suit your needs.
In addition, as a result of the new European regulations on disposable products, new options have been added to the wide range of biodegradable and reusable products , such as durable tableware, with a high number of washing cycles. With our guide you will be up to date!
To complete your tableware with trays, glasses, cutlery and other essential tableware for your business, we recommend that you download our specialised catalogues on take-away and ecological items.
Advantages of using disposable and reusable plates
There are many benefits to using disposable tableware in your catering business. It can even become a great ally to open your model to home delivery or takeaway food, options that more and more customers are choosing and for which you need to be prepared with all kinds of containers with the guarantees for food use (like all the ones you will find in our shop).
The advantages and disadvantages of disposable plates are:
- Easy to transport as they are ultra-light (for distribution and for the mobility of your customers)
- Versatile: they fulfil their function at any time and in any circumstance
- Hygienic: they help to maintain the hygiene of a space and food safety
- Sustainable and biodegradable
- A variety of materials are available for their manufacture
- Stylish and convenient disposable plates
- Multiple options: from the most common and economical, to the most sophisticated ones
Types of plastic and biodegradable plates
Polypropylene, foam, chinet pulp, slate, cardboard and paper, bamboo… the variety within the disposable plates made of transparent plastic, coloured, round, square… is enormous! In order to choose which type of plate is the most suitable for your business, it is important that you know all the options that exist for disposable plates, and what better than to let yourself be advised by the experience of our specialists.
So that you can browse our shop easily, we present this general classification of the types of disposable plates and their main characteristics. You will find them grouped in these groups: plastic, biodegradable and reusable and durable, organised in this way for your convenience.
Plastic plates
Plastic plates are those which, as their name suggests, are made of different types of this material, such as foam, PET, polypropylene or polystyrene. You can find them cheap, hard, reusable… and in general, they can withstand cold, hot, dry and wet food.
When it comes to design, there seem to be no limits. Round, square, hexagonal, coloured, transparent, with compartments… there are many models of disposable plastic plates so that you can choose the one that best identifies with the image and philosophy of your business. A more classic establishment can choose round plates in neutral colours, while a more casual business can align its disposable tableware with its philosophy and opt for more original models: coloured, square, etc. Moreover, for an event, they are a perfect solution to simplify the entire food service in a practical, hygienic and safe way.
Among the most popular plastic plates you can discover in our shop foam plates , PET plates, polystyrene plates and polyethylene plates. In the following table you can check their thermal range, as well as their main compatibilities:
| Material | Thermal Tolerance* | Microwave* | Oven* | Freezer* | Dishwasher* | Recycling* |
| PS / Polystyrene | -10°C /85°C | X | X | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| EPS / Foam | -20°C /100°C | X | X | X | X | ✓ |
| PET / Polyethylene | -18°C /70°C | X | X | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| PP / Polypropylene | -20°C /120°C | ✓ | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
(*) The properties of these materials may vary depending on the model and the tests certified by each manufacturer. Consult the product sheet for specific compatibilities for each model and if in doubt, please contact customer service.
PET plastic plates
They are made of polyethylene terephthalate, known for its rigidity and its ability to withstand weight and temperature without deforming. You can find them mainly in tableware intended for the presentation of food (in a buffet, a catering, a party).
They can be divided into several compartments, as presentation plates with two, three or more sections to serve different dishes in the same dish. Many of the models you can find in our shop have a lid that fits perfectly and therefore allows safe and hygienic transport.
- Robustness and rigidity
- Retains its shape with the weight and temperature of the food
- Dishes with presentation compartments
- Choice of lidded plate types for hygienic and safe transport
- High strength
- Stackable (minimises storage and transport space)
- Resistant to wet, fatty and liquid foods
- Elegant, with shine
- Depending on your certification, you can find reusable or disposable
- Recyclable
| Material | Heat tolerance* | Microwave* | Oven* | Freezer* | Dishwasher* | Recycling |
| PET | -18°C /70°C | X | X | ✓ | X | ✓ |
PS / Polystyrene plates
PS or polystyrene tableware is made from thermoplastic polymer. This lightweight material produces pieces of varying hardness depending on the secondary materials with which it is mixed in its polymerisation.
In our product sheets you can find all its characteristics, but remember that our customer service is at your service to answer any questions you may have, our goal is that you find the perfect dish!
- Light
- Resistant
- Easy to stack
- If dropped, they do not break into small pieces
- Suitable for refrigeration and home freezing
- Wide range of colours, shapes and diameters
- Various economical and hard dishes (disposable and reusable)
- Recyclable
| Material | Heat tolerance* | Microwave* | Oven* | Freezer* | Dishwasher* | Recycling* |
| PS / Polystyrene | -10°C /85°C | X | X | ✓ | X | ✓ |
Foam plates
These disposable plastic plates are made from a plastic material derived from polystyrene, known as expanded polystyrene (EPS). It is disposable, recyclable, lightweight and absorbs shocks very well during transport, but without a doubt its greatest advantage is that it helps to maintain the temperature of the food (hot and cold).
The models of these thermal plates have the possibility of including a lid that keeps your delivery and take away orders at their optimum temperature for longer, which considerably increases the satisfaction of your customers.
- Isothermal properties
- Lightweight
- Hygienic
- Shock absorption
- Oil and grease resistant
- Recyclable
| Material | Heat tolerance* | Microwave* | Oven* | Freezer* | Dishwasher* | Recycling |
| EPS/ Foam | -20°C /100°C | X | X | X | X | ✓ |
PP or polypropylene plates
They are made of polypropylene, a plastic polymer suitable for food use and 100% recyclable. It stands out for its resistance to high and low temperatures, so plates made of this material can generally be used in microwaves, dishwashers and freezers. We recommend that you consult the product sheet for compatibility.
There are single-use models and models that can be washed and reused.
- Robust
- Flexible and malleable
- High and low temperature resistant
- Microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe
- Reusable models
- Resistant to the weight of food
- Resistant to fats and oils
- Recyclable
| Material | Heat tolerance* | Microwave* | Oven* | Freezer* | Dishwasher* | Recycling |
| PP / Polypropylene | -20°C /120°C | ✓ | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Biodegradable plates
Ecological and biodegradable dishes are those that can be broken down by the action of the environment. They are therefore sustainable and environmentally friendly, and are generally single-use.
what are biodegradable disposable plates made of? They are made from 100% natural elements and are therefore biodegradable. Sugar cane and palm leaves are some of the materials used in their manufacture.
Moreover, depending on the plate you buy, they can withstand dry, wet, cold and hot food. In other words, you can choose all your biodegradable tableware for any type of preparation you wish to transport or serve. Here is a comparison chart to help you select the ones that fit your needs:
| Material | Thermal tolerance | Microwave | Oven | Freezer | Dishwasher | Recycling |
| Sugar cane | -18°C /150°C | ✓ / X** | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Cardboard | -40°C /90°C | ✓ | ✓ | X | X | ✓ |
| Bamboo | -5°C /70°C | X | X | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Wood | -40°C /150°C | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Chinet pulp | Ambient temperature/ 100°C | ✓ | X | X | X | ✓ |
| Palm leaf | -20°C /120°C | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Corn starch PLA | — /60°C | X | X | X | X | ✓ |
| Wheat pulp | -25°C /170°C | ✓ | X | — | X | ✓ |
(*) The properties of these materials may vary depending on the model and the tests certified by each manufacturer. Consult the product sheet for specific compatibilities for each model and if in doubt, please contact customer service.
(**) Kraft cardboard is not suitable for microwaves (it is compostable).
Cardboard and paper plates
There are many different types of biodegradable paper and cardboard plates, but paper and cardboard plates are among the most popular in the professional catering sector as well as at private events, parties, anniversaries and birthdays. Disposable paper and cardboard plates are recyclable and ideal for cold outdoor services due to their robustness and easy disposal after use.
- With waxed or laminated treatments they can withstand grease and oil
- Lightweight
- Small footprint when stacked
- Single-use
- Microwave and oven safe (with exceptions)
Within the cardboard plates, there is a very sustainable range: kraft cardboard plates. These plates have special characteristics: they are compostable, they can be used in the fridge or freezer, but not in the microwave (neither heating nor defrosting).
| Material | Heat tolerance | Microwave | Oven | Freezer | Dishwasher | Recycling |
| Cardboard | -40°C /90°C | ✓ / X** | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
(**) Kraft cardboard
Pulp chinet plates
Pulp chinet plates are made of cellulose pulp (cardboard fibre) extracted from softwoods such as spruce or birch, among many others. They are rigid and resistant to cuts, as well as being able to withstand fatty foods and oils without losing their qualities.
- Stiffness
- Resistance to cuts
- Withstand acidic, aqueous, dry and fatty foods
- Microwaveable
- Biodegradable and compostable
- Recycle in the organic bin
| Material | Heat tolerance | Microwave | Oven | Freezer | Dishwasher | Recycling |
| Chinet pulp | Ambient temperature / 100°C | ✓ | X | X | X | ✓ |
Sugar cane dishes
They are made from the residue left over from the sugar cane after its juice has been extracted. After several processes with this residue, it is transformed into a 100% recyclable sustainable bioplastic that is very robust and compatible with ovens and microwaves.
It stands out for its rough and pleasant feel and its appearance of recycled material that gives it an ECO style perfect for the greenest catering businesses.
- Robustness
- Rough and pleasant feel
- Resistant to grease and oil
- Can hold liquid and solid foods
- Compatible with microwaves and ovens
- Biodegradable, compostable
- Can be recycled in organic containers
| Material | Thermal tolerance | Microwave | Oven | Freezer | Dishwasher | Recycling |
| Sugar cane | -18°C /150°C | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
Bamboo plates
Made from 100% natural bamboo, they come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, as well as being extremely robust and hard-wearing. Bamboo is one of the most resistant materials in the world.
It raises the bar for your service: they offer great quality and sophistication, and although their natural aesthetics combine with all types of tables, they clearly fit in a special way for Asian elaborations or Scandinavian aesthetics, where wood and minimalism have a great prominence.
They are reusable if you are careful when washing them, but they are not suitable for dishwashers or microwaves. Only bamboo plates that are not 100% natural, i.e. that are not really made of bamboo, can be used in the dishwasher.
- Elegant, eye-catching
- Light
- Rigidity and robustness
- Fashion and sustainability
- Grease and oil resistant
- Freezer compatible
- Recycle in the organic bin
| Material | Heat tolerance | Microwave | Oven | Freezer* Freezer* Dishwasher* Dishwasher* Dishwasher* Dishwasher | Dishwasher | Recycling |
| Bamboo | -5°C /70°C | X | X | ✓ | X | ✓ |
At Monouso you will also find plates made of recovered cane sugar fibres and bamboo, a sustainable, renewable and compostable alternative. They have a very natural finish, are resistant and you can choose them in different diameters with leaf shape.
Palm leaf plates
These 100% natural tableware pieces are made from the dried fallen leaves of Areca palm trees. They are made with the whole leaf so that the ribbing is integrated into the production and gives rise to characteristic veins that make them one of the most elegant options in the entire ECO catalogue.
Due to their natural appearance, many professionals use them to provide a more eco-friendly service in their takeaway models.
- Pleasant to the touch
- 100% vegetable
- Unique designs featuring the veins (veins) of the leaf
- Elegant
- Grease and oil resistant
- Some models can be reused, but are not dishwasher safe
| Material | Heat tolerance | Microwave | Oven | Freezer | Dishwasher | Recycling |
| Palm leaf | -18°C /180°C | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
PLA corn starch plates
PLA corn starch plates are made of material made from polylactic acids (PLA), in this case extracted from corn starch. Due to its biodegradable and compostable characteristics, this tableware is sustainable and environmentally friendly.
They are perfect for serving cold meals and desserts.
- High biodegradability
- Withstand high and low temperatures
- Single-use recyclable plates
- Compostable
| Material | Heat tolerance | Microwave | Oven | Freezer | Dishwasher | Recycling |
| PLA corn starch | –/60°C | X | X | X | X | ✓ |
Wheat pulp dishes
These disposable plates are made from the leftovers of the wheat plant. The process of transformation into food material is 100% natural, without the use of chemicals or pesticides.
Due to their light weight for transport, they are very popular for informal gatherings, outdoor events and canteens.
- For all types of food
- Quality
- High and low temperature resistant
- Environmentally friendly
- Compostable
| Material | Heat tolerance | Microwave | Oven | Freezer | Dishwasher | Recycling |
| Wheat pulp | -25°C /170°C | ✓ | X | — | X | ✓ |
Wooden plates
Made of wood, they offer one of the highest resistance in the disposable tableware market, disposable and disposable.
Its appearance is very natural and its touch is soft. It is an eco-friendly material, as it is sustainable, recyclable and biodegradable. You can use it to align your recipes with these characteristics or even the image of your business: transfer your ECO philosophy to your diners by simply changing to these containers.
- High quality
- High and low temperature resistant
- Grease and oil resistant
- Environmentally friendly
- Recycle in organic containers
| Material | Heat tolerance | Microwave | Oven | Freezer | Dishwasher | Recycling |
| Wood | -40°C /150°C | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
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You can check out all the features of these eco-friendly plates by visiting our shop, or contact customer service for advice from our disposable tableware experts. With our help, you will find the eco-friendly model you are looking for the first time.
Reusable plates
We call reusable plates that are designed to be used over and over again reusable. Depending on the material they are made of, you can find models with a greater or lesser number of washing cycles.
These pieces of reusable tableware come in different formats and sizes: plates with compartments, flat plates, deep plates or pizza plates, among others, making them perfect for any event that you have to celebrate in your establishment.
You can find high quality models in plastic and biodegradable reusable plates, as well as a wide range of styles and compatibilities in our shop, such as economical reusable plates, hard reusable plates or durable reusable plates.
Our recommendation is that you consult the product sheets for all the compatibilities of the models of your choice, and if you have any doubts, please contact us.
Durable reusable plates
Amongst the reusable plates, the new durable ranges stand out, models of great resistance, unbreakable and very light. They are the type of reusable plate with the highest number of washing cycles, with an infinite life.
Their durability gives them a longer useful life than other alternatives, without wear and tear or damage. In addition, they do not break or dent when dropped or knocked.
You can find them in our shop in various sizes and colours.
- The reusable ones with infinite life
- Lightweight and unbreakable
- Washable and stackable
- Resistant
- Premium design and quality
- Variety of sizes and colours
- Resistant to all types of food
- Some models are oven safe
How to choose dishes for your catering business
To choose the best type of disposable plates for your restaurant, you need to ask yourself a series of basic questions: What type of service do you need, what kind of food will you serve on them, what functionalities do they require? It is not the same if your business wants to expand into takeaway food (for which you will need specific containers for the type of food you serve), as it is to set up an event or catering business, for which the disposable tableware pieces will be totally different.
To help you make the best choice, we guide you through the main features to consider when selecting single-use and reusable tableware pieces.
Compatibilities
The compatibility of disposable plates tells us whether they are suitable for use in the oven, microwave, freezer or dish washer. Depending on the material the plates are made of (plastic, reusable, durable or biodegradable), they may be compatible with some or even all of these uses.
If you are going to need to use them in any of these appliances (or your customers will), it is important that you choose crockery that is compatible, only in this way can you ensure that they fulfil their function correctly.
In our shop, you can find information about the compatibility of each disposable model. If you have any questions, please contact our customer service team.
Functionalities
what are you going to use them for? This type of tableware has a wide variety of formats designed for different needs. If your business is catering or event organisation, you will find elegant, durable pieces in different sizes and for different uses. For example, the synthetic slate is one of the most valued options for this type of event, as well as the models dedicated to presentation.
If your restaurant needs these plates to offer takeaway or food truck type food, you can opt for practical, lighter pieces, the perfect size for the type of food you prepare. In this case, foam models are a popular choice.
In short, it is essential that you know what you are going to use them for in order to choose the right characteristics. Some of the sectors that use this type of plastic and biodegradable kitchenware on a daily basis are:
- Restaurants
- Caterings
- Outdoor events
- Food Trucks
- Italian Food
- Hamburgers
- Sushi
- Parties
- Ice cream parlours
- Pastry shops
- Tastings
In Monouso you can find a wide range of models, the key is to combine the compatibility you need with the functionality you are going to give it. This is the only way you will know which types of colourful or original disposable plates are the most interesting for your establishment.
Thermal plates
To keep food at the right temperature, you need thermal plates. These types of plates are highly recommended for outdoor events and buffets, where food is more exposed and tends to lose its optimum temperature more quickly. Also for home delivery service so that the order is in optimal conditions (hot dishes retain their heat, and ice cream does not melt).
Generally, they are made of foam, a plastic material with great isothermal properties that you can put at the service of your business or event. There is no happier diner than one who eats hot.
Microwaveable plates
Containers that can withstand high temperatures without losing their food properties are suitable for use in microwave ovens. If your business works with take away and delivery services, you can give added value by using containers that users can comfortably reheat at home without any danger.
In the case of dishes, these materials are usually compatible with this appliance:
- Polypropylene reusable
- Paper and cardboard
- Sugar cane
- Palm leaf
- Of wood
- Of chinet pulp
Slate plates
Models that imitate slate stone-like materials can turn your appetizers and plates into true works of art. These reusable plates have an elegant aesthetic that enhances your plating. They are very popular for tastings and bar snacks as they increase the attractiveness of the food. Please note, however, that they have no rims, so you should use them for recipes without broth or a lot of sauce.
Dishes with lids
Plates can be fitted with lids for easy transport or to preserve the temperature of the food. This is your option if your business offers a take-away or self-service food service, where the dishes come out directly on counters for customers to choose what they want to eat.
It is especially important to choose transparent lids in the latter case so that your diners can see what they are about to eat. They say that the eye is fuller than the stomach, or in other words, a good presentation can make all the difference.
In our shop you will find both PET and polystyrene plastic lids, transparent and light, and you don’t know how to combine them with the right dishes? Don’t wait any longer and contact our customer service.
Presentation plates
Presentation plates serve as trays on which to display food at your catering events and parties. They are resistant, shiny and with elegant designs among which silver, gold or marble options stand out, that’s what a high level catering is all about!
In addition, for safe and hygienic transport, many of these trays have the option of adding a lid that fits perfectly, which not only makes it easier to move your food, but also keeps it at the right temperature for longer, until the party starts.
Underplates
Serving is one thing, serving with glamour is another. If you are one of those who want to add a sophisticated touch to your business or event, you have it very easy: put underplates in your life. Underplates protect the table and the tablecloth by placing themselves between the table and the diner’s plate. Thanks to theirelegant designs, they are as functional as they are decorative.
Theystand out for their brilliance and for this reason they are often associated with big celebrations such as Christmas. What is certain is that they are a decoration that complements any special meal or dinner in your restaurant, no matter what month of the year it is.
Presentation plates should not be confused with underplates. While the former is where you serve food, the latter is where the diner’s plate is placed on top. It is a protective and decorative element that helps to dress the table with elegance.
Dimensions and capacities
Another important question to ask yourself before choosing your disposable tableware is what sizes you will need. It will depend directly on the food you will serve in them. You don’t have to worry about anything: there are many different sizes and shapes with which you will be able to serve your food perfectly.
The most popular sizes allow us to serve tapas, starters or desserts on different plates, both shallow and deep, with a wide variety of diameters and with or without lids or separate compartments. In our shop you will find this information in centimetres so that you can get an exact idea of the size of each piece. The following table can give you an idea of their uses:
| Measurements | Recommended use |
| Between Ø8 and Ø15 cm | Especially designed for small snacks or bread. |
| Between Ø15 and Ø20 cm | Perfect size for serving tapas, appetizers, tastings and desserts. |
| Between Ø20 and Ø30 cm | Flat or deep, they are generally used for starters, first and main courses. |
| From Ø30 cm | From these sizes, they are widely used to present food, for example in an open buffet. |
Shapes and colours
When making your choice, the format is important, i.e. what does the dish you have in mind look like? You probably know this because you know your menu perfectly well, but the simple use of different types of disposable party plates, such as square or hexagonal plates, can make a big difference to the image of the celebration. It goes without saying that you can’t forget the functional part: you should always think about how the customer will eat it so that you can offer options that make it easier for them to do so.
The most popular shapes for all kinds of events are round, oval, square and hexagonal. The important thing is that your choice follows a harmony: whether it is a pattern of colour or a pattern of shapes, this way you will achieve an elegant style that will please your customers.
Coloured plates
I’m sure that before joining us in this plate guide, when you thought of plastic plates, images of plain white pieces came to mind. And we have nothing against them, on the contrary, they are the wardrobe staple of the tableware world (they go with everything), but there is such a variety of colours that you can’t miss them. Use them to theme your events.
The style and design of your tableware can convey a lot of information to your customers about your company: the importance you give to the takeaway part, how it adapts to the image they have of the venue or even convey new values that you want to introduce in your brand image. Moreover, in catering events it is a differentiating element that contributes directly to the presentation of the service.
The design can be classified as follows:
| Styles | Characteristics and advantages |
| Classic | Traditionally round, they can be coloured and have a distinctive graphic element on the edges (silk-screen printing, embossing). |
| Children’s | These are the disposable ones used at children’s parties. They can be in a single colour, with children’s prints or even have well-known fictional characters printed on them. |
| Elegant | Square or hexagonal (or even triangular). They are usually rigid and can even be washed for reuse. |
| Natural | This group includes biodegradable ones. They are made from elements present in the environment, such as tree leaves. They have the natural appearance and texture of the raw material of disposable plates. |
Nowadays, the market for reusable and disposable plates offers you a wide variety of functionalities, compatibilities, shapes, colours, patterns and materials to choose from. In fact, it is now common for haute cuisine and tasting to use luxurious designer models that combine original and elegant shapes with the practicality of single-use plates.
And one last piece of advice: don’t be afraid to give free rein to your imagination to choose formats, colours and designs that will surprise your customers and fit in with your brand image, or even modify it in a positive way.
With this guide, you will be able to identify your business needs and choose the dishes that will allow you to expand into a catering model, delivery or new opportunities to improve your service. Find them easily in our online shop or contact our customer service department to answer any questions you may have when choosing from such a wide variety.