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Restaurant and event tableware after the plastics bans: breakage, reuse and hot towel service
Since 3 July 2021, the EU has banned single-use plastic cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers, as the Council of the EU reminds. In France, restaurants have had to serve dine-in meals in reusable tableware since 1 January 2023 (CMS summary of the AGEC law). Reusable tableware solves the waste problem and brings another one: breakage and washing.
Budgeting breakage
Dishwasher maker MEIKO gives a sample calculation where glass breakage of about a third of the stock per year falls to about 10% with better washing and racking, and notes that a glass rarely survives more than about 400 washes in practice. Your figures will differ, but the logic holds:
- Count your stock of each glass, plate and cutlery type at the start of a period and at the end.
- Record what was bought in between. The difference is your loss rate.
- Budget replacements as a monthly line, not as a surprise.
Reducing breakage
- Use racks made for each glass shape, from the bar to the dishwasher and back.
- Avoid stacking glasses that are not designed to stack.
- Check wash temperature and chemistry with your dishwasher supplier.
- Choose commercial-grade glass and porcelain made for repeated machine washing.
Choosing tableware for heavy use
| Item | Check |
|---|---|
| Glassware | Tempered or reinforced rim, stackability, availability of the same model for reorders |
| Porcelain | Chip resistance, glaze suited to commercial dishwashers, stackability |
| Cutlery | Steel grade, weight, dishwasher resistance |
Events: hire or buy?
Caterers working several events a week often buy core items and hire for peaks. Count how many times a year each item is used: below a few events a year, hiring is usually simpler; for weekly use, owning tableware sized to your average event costs less over time.
Hot and cold towel service
Refreshing towels, called oshibori in Japan, are offered hot or cold before or after a meal. They come either as reusable cloth towels or as individually packed single-use towels (Wikipedia). Airlines brought hot towels back after 2022, as reported by Business Traveller. Choose by context:
- Reusable cloth towels: suit restaurants with a laundry routine and a towel warmer.
- Individually packed towels: suit events, room service, yachts, aircraft and terraces, where hygiene and no laundry matter most. Check the weight, size and scent.
- Presentation trays keep the service neat at the table or at reception.
Order quantities by covers
Start from your covers per service and the number of turns, then add a margin for breakage and washing time. For towels, count one per guest per service.
Where to find the products
See F&B supplies, oshibori towels and small appliances, and our pages for restaurant and bar supplies and event and catering supplies. For an event or a restaurant opening, send a quote request.
