The best sustainable disposables for canteens: What are the options?

If you run a canteen, you know how important it is to choose the right disposables. Not only should they be practical and affordable, but they should also contribute to sustainable operations. In this article, we discuss the best disposables for canteens and why they are so often chosen.

1. Cutlery

Wooden cutlery is a popular choice for canteens. It is often made from FSC-certified wood, which means it comes from sustainably managed forests. This cutlery is fully compostable, making it an environmentally friendly option. It has a natural look and is sturdy enough for most meals.

Bamboo cutlery is another sustainable option. Bamboo grows quickly and is renewable, making it an excellent choice. Bamboo cutlery is strong and fully compostable, making it a practical and sustainable choice for canteens.

Curious about our full range? Check out our cutlery category page here!

2. Coffee cups

In many canteens, cardboard coffee cups are the go-to option. They are suitable for both hot and cold drinks and often have a coating which makes them food-safe and user-friendly. Cardboard has the great advantage of being renewable and recyclable, thus eliminating plastic waste.

For canteens that want to take sustainability a step further, we also offer reusable coffee cups. These are perfect for canteens that want to reduce their impact on the environment. These cups can be used more than once, making them an eco-friendly option.

For our full range of coffee cups, check out the coffee cups category page at

3. Sauce and Amuse Trays

Kraft cardboard trays are perfect for serving sauces and small appetizers. They are sturdy, often with a grease-resistant coating. Kraft cardboard is a natural material and offers the advantage of being renewable and recyclable, helping to reduce plastic waste.

Sugarcane trays are another excellent choice. These trays are made from the fibers of sugarcane plants, making them strong and compostable. They are suitable for both hot and cold dishes.

For all of our amuse and sauce containers, please see the sauce containers page or the amuse containers page

4. Garbage bags

Biodegradable garbage bags are essential for effective waste management. They are often made of PLA, a biodegradable plastic derived from corn or sugarcane. They are ideal for organic waste.

Recycled garbage bags are also a popular choice. They are made from recycled plastic, which helps to use less new plastic. They are sturdy and ideal for everyday waste management.

Explore our range of garbage bags on the garbage bags category page

5. Coffee Supplies

Sugar and creamer sticks are often indispensable in canteens. Our sticks are sustainably packaged, making them a more environmentally friendly choice.

Stirrers are also important. We offer wooden stirrers that are FSC-certified, meaning they come from responsibly managed forests. In addition, we have stirrers made of bamboo. Both types of stirrers are 100% biodegradable, making them an eco-friendly alternative to plastic stirrers.

Check out our full range on the coffee supplies page

6. Towel and Cleaning Paper

Towel and cleaning paper are essential for hygiene in a canteen. Almost all our towel and wiping paper is made of 100% cellulose, which means it is even softer than tissue paper. In addition, we also offer recycled towel rolls, ideal for canteens that like to go the extra mile in terms of sustainability.

7. Gloves

Our gloves are important for food safety and hygiene. We offer gloves made of nitrile, vitrile, latex and vinyl.

At TakeAware, we offer a wide range of sustainable disposables. Feel free to browse our digital shelves! Have questions or need advice? Feel free to contact us for more information.