Reusable plastic plates: a professional alternative to disposable tableware
Since the implementation of the AGEC law in 2020 and its gradual strengthening (banning disposable plastic tableware for on-site dining since January 1, 2023), professionals in the catering, events, and institutional sectors have a structural need for reusable, durable tableware that meets health and safety requirements. Voussert selects reusable plastic plates tested to withstand more than 500 industrial washing cycles, while maintaining their visual appeal and food contact safety.
SAN plastic or polypropylene: which material to choose?
SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile) is the standard material for clear crystal plates: high hardness, excellent impact resistance, stable transparency over time, and BPA-free. Its only drawback is slightly lower scratch resistance than glass. Polypropylene (PP) is used for opaque white and colored plates: more flexible, virtually unbreakable, and dishwasher and microwave safe without deformation. Both materials are recyclable at the end of their life and comply with European food contact regulations (EU Regulation 10/2011).
What plate sizes are suitable for which uses?
The 18 cm plate is ideal for starters, desserts, cheeses, and small portions; it also works well as a base plate for cocktail parties. The 22 cm plate is the ultimate all-purpose size: perfect for main courses in catering, buffets, and composed salads. The 26 cm plate is the "serving" size: ideal for generous main courses, large salads, school cafeterias, and hospital self-service areas. The 180 x 180 mm and 240 x 240 mm square plates are reserved for premium events and catering presentations, offering a modern plating style.
Colorful plates: a differentiating factor for canteens and events
Our colored plastic plates are made in France from injected polystyrene or polypropylene, in a range of colors that remain vibrant over time (red, blue, green, yellow, black, orange). They are widely used in school cafeterias for visually coding menus (special diets, allergies, children's/adults' routes), at themed events (weddings, corporate parties, birthdays), in outdoor catering (campsites, seaside locations), and by employee committees for internal receptions. The "Made in France" label guarantees material traceability and the complete absence of BPA.
Maintenance and lifespan
Reusable professional plastic plates are dishwasher safe at 70°C (standard professional dishwasher cycle). Avoid temperatures above 80°C, which can dull the surface of crystal plates over time. Microwave use is compatible with most of our products (check the pictogram on the product page). To preserve the transparency of crystal plates, use a detergent without abrasive rinse aids and rinse with softened water. With these precautions, the average lifespan of a professional plastic plate is 3 to 5 years under intensive use (500 to 800 wash cycles).
Reusable plates in light of the AGEC law
The AGEC law (Anti-Waste and Circular Economy, 2020) has progressively banned the use of disposable plastic tableware in on-site catering (since January 2023 for all establishments serving more than 20 covers simultaneously). Reusable plastic plates directly address this requirement: they are designed to withstand several hundred wash cycles, making them compliant with regulations, economical in the long term, and environmentally friendly compared to biodegradable disposable alternatives, whose single-use carbon footprint remains significant.