Editing Tableware (section)

==Materials==
[[File:WLANL - jpa2003 - Gedekte tafel.jpg|thumb|250px|Historic [[pewter]], [[faience]] and glass tableware]]

In recent centuries, flatware is commonly made of [[ceramic]] materials such as [[earthenware]], [[stoneware]], [[bone china]] or [[porcelain]].  The popularity of ceramics is at least partially due to the use of [[ceramic glaze|glazes]] as these ensure the ware is impermeable, reduce the adherence of pollutants and ease washing. In 2020, the global market for ceramic tableware was estimated to be worth $US2.22&nbsp;billion, with the top five exporting countries being China ($US834&nbsp;million), Portugal ($US215&nbsp;million), Germany ($US113&nbsp;million), Thailand ($US110&nbsp;million) and United Kingdom ($US106&nbsp;million).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/ceramic-tableware | title=Ceramic Tableware &#124; OEC }}</ref>

[[Banana leaf|Banana leaves]] are used in some [[South Asia]]n and [[Southeast Asia]]n cultures. [[File:Lunch from Karnataka on a plantain leaf.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Food served on a banana leaf in [[Karnataka]], India]]

Tableware can also made of other materials, such as wood (including [[lacquer]]), metals (such as [[pewter]]), [[tempered glass]], or [[plastic]]s (such as [[Acrylate polymer|acrylic]]s, [[melamine]] or [[polypropylene]]).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/melamine-tableware-market-latest-research-report-2023-2028-2023-01-28 | title=Melamine Tableware Market Latest Research Report 2023-2028 }}</ref> Before mass-produced tableware, it was fashioned from available materials, such as wood. Industrialisation and developments in ceramic manufacture made inexpensive tableware available. It is sold either by the piece or as a matched set for a number of diners, normally four, six, eight or twelve place settings.

Cutlery is normally made of metal, especially [[stainless steel]], though large pieces such as [[ladle (spoon)|ladle]]s for serving may be of wood. The use of porcelain  for [[Chinese spoon|spoons]] is popular in some Asian countries. [[Chopsticks]] are made of wood, [[bamboo]], metal, [[ivory]] and plastic.
[[File:Tea served in Kulhar in India.jpg|thumb|250px|Tea served in a ''kulhar'']]

[[Disposable tableware]] includes all [[disposable]] (single-use) tableware. These are often made from 
[[paper cup|paper]], [[plastic cup|plastic]], [[wood]] or [[bagasse]]. Due to environment concerns, single-use plastic plates and cutlery will be banned in England from October 2023.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/14/october-start-set-for-ban-in-england-of-single-use-plastic-tableware | title=October start set for ban in England of single-use plastic tableware | newspaper=The Guardian | date=14 January 2023 | last1=Clinton | first1=Jane }}</ref> A similar ban has been place in the EU since July 2021.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/14/include-biodegradable-plastic-in-uk-single-use-cutlery-ban-say-campaigners | title=Include biodegradable plastic in English single-use cutlery ban, say campaigners | newspaper=The Guardian | date=14 December 2022 | last1=Laville | first1=Sandra }}</ref> Canada is also planning such legislation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/climate-and-environment/canada-banning-plastic-bags-straws-cutlery-and-other-single-use-items-by-the-end-of-2021-1.5135968|title=Canada banning plastic bags, straws, cutlery and other single-use items by the end of 2021|first=Rachel|last=Aiello|date=October 7, 2020|website=CTVNews}}</ref> A ''[[kulhar]]'' is a traditional handle-less [[pottery]] cup from South Asia that is typically undecorated and unglazed, and is meant to be disposable.<ref name="jad64hajaw">{{Citation | title=Indian folk arts and crafts | author=Jasleen Dhamija| year=1970|author-link=Jasleen Dhamija | publisher= National Book Trust, India, 1992 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=meAbAAAAIAAJ | quote= The simple clay kulhar, which is made in thousands as an inexpensive container for curd, sweets, tea or water, and after being used only once is thrown away, has the same form as those excavated at the Indus Valley or ...}}</ref>