When you’re creating your kitchen’s equipment budget, you might not consider “sustainability” a factor in choosing dinnerware. After all, sustainability means a higher price tag, right?
Not necessarily! Plastic dinnerware, like the melamine dinnerware sets you’d get from bargain retailers, are not only bad for the earth, they’ll drive up your costs in the long run. Porcelain or china dinnerware, on the other hand, is a smart choice for both the planet and your budget.
We’ll explore why porcelain dinnerware collections are the right plates for restaurants that prioritize sustainability and cost in their purchasing decisions.
The shortcomings of melamine dishes
We hate to criticize other dinner plates, but for a busy catering business or restaurant, plastic dinnerware simply isn’t good enough. Here’s why:
Prone to warp and discolor
Melamine dinnerware is made from plastic, and it’s ultimately not a hard-wearing material. Plastic dishes are infamous for warping, cracking, and turning color—not a great look for formal occasions. And definitely not a look that will boost your reputation for providing a gorgeous dining experience.
Not dishwasher safe
Part of the problem with plastic dinnerware is that it performs poorly under intense heat, which means it won’t last long in the dishwasher. Melamine might be sold as “dishwasher safe”, but after a year or so, you’ll notice your plastic dishes looking dull, scratched, and discolored.
Not recyclable
When you’re fed up with melamine dinnerware, most of the time it can’t be recycled. Melamine is a very hard plastic which can’t be melted down and remade into more melamine.
Costs more in the long run
When your plastic dishes have stopped performing, you’ll need new ones. That’s an extra cost that no kitchen needs, especially with the price of ingredients at an all-time high.
The beauty of bone china and porcelain dinnerware
Porcelain and bone china are both made from natural minerals—feldspar, quartz, and kaolin. Fine bone china is similar, but with the addition of bone ash. Each type of dinnerware uses common materials—without the addition of dangerous chemicals—to create beautiful, durable dishes.
Dishwasher safe
Both porcelain and china perform exceptionally well in both high heat and intense cold, making them ideal materials for a commercial kitchen. They’re dishwasher safe, and they’re equally fine in the freezer, under the heat lamp, and in the microwave.
Pretty, yet durable
Whether you’re catering a lavish dinner party or an upscale brunch buffet, porcelain and china are attractive additions to your place settings. But they’re not just another pretty face! Because they’re so tough, porcelain and china dinnerware can take years of hard wear before they need to be replaced.
Fully (and easily) recycled
When porcelain dishes eventually break, they’re completely recyclable. Each piece of porcelain can be taken to your local recycling center, ground down into a fine powder, and reused to make more porcelain. That’s the type of full-circle sustainability that makes a positive impact on the earth!
Lower long-term costs
By choosing a more durable material for your plates and bowls, you choose to play the long game. Porcelain’s durability means it lasts longer, so over time, you’ll buy fewer dishes and save more money. Plus, you use fewer resources and choose natural materials that are better for the environment.
What about ceramic and stoneware dinnerware?
Like porcelain, stoneware (sometimes called earthenware) is a type of china made from clay. It offers all of the same environmental advantages of porcelain, with an extra dash of durability.
Stoneware is heavier and more dense than porcelain, and it’s opaque, while porcelain generally has a degree of translucency. Because it’s so robust, it offers extra strength and is perfect for everyday use in the right type of restaurant.
Our own stoneware dinnerware collection, Bandera, is a popular choice for cafes or restaurants that serve earthy or homey food. It features 17 individual pieces in a variety of shapes and sizes.
What is ceramic dinnerware?
Ceramic dinnerware is made from clay, too, but it’s a lower-quality mixture than porcelain or bone china. It’s ideal for rustic mugs or hearty soup bowls—the type of everyday dinnerware you might see in homes or in a restaurant that offers home cooking.
The materials we use for Corby Hall dinnerware
We’re proud that our dishes are made from high-quality porcelain, crafted in Portugal to meet the most rigorous industry standards. They’re twice-fired for a dazzling bright white finish that showcases your culinary creations in the best possible light.
Our dinnerware is nonporous, so bacteria can’t get a foothold on your dishes. Plus, many of our pieces feature a rolled edge rim that makes them extra strong and less likely to chip or scratch.
When you count the cost of replacing sub-par dinnerware, it’s clear that high-quality porcelain is the affordable choice. And because we create our dinnerware collections out of sustainable, renewable materials, it’s also the best choice for the planet.
Explore our dinnerware collections
Fine plates, cups, bowls, and platters show off your meals and impress your restaurant diners.
We carry a wide selection of classic dinnerware styles and gorgeous designs that are perfectly suited to any table. Whether you cater to casual diners or focus on fine dining, you’ll find tasteful patterns to complement your dining room decor.
Explore our dinnerware patterns—including custom dishes—or talk to the sales team to learn more.
