Sustainable Perspectives of Disposable Tableware: A Systematic Review

This review provides a comprehensive overview of studies that have investigated different types of disposable tableware. First, the authors used text mining with the bibliometric analysis tool VOSViewer to identify the leading research streams in disposable tableware research. A systematic literature search was then conducted in two databases (Scopus and Web of Science) using a series of appropriate keywords. The review followed PRISMA guidelines to improve the transparency and quality of reporting. A total of 816 articles were screened by title and abstract, leaving 78 reports for full-text search. A total of 40 articles were included in this systematic review and categorised into studies focusing on the environment, food safety, or research perspectives, matching with the clusters identified through text mining. The studies in the environmental cluster either conducted life cycle assessments or investigated the biodegradation of different tableware items. The studies in the food safety cluster investigated the presence of substances that pose a health risk due to their potential migration. Finally, the last cluster included studies that investigated the possibilities of using new materials to produce more sustainable tableware, and a group of them also carried out sensory evaluations as a measure of their quality aspect. Overall, the results show that the development of a new generation of sustainable cutlery requires a holistic approach that considers environmental, food safety, and quality aspects.