That said, you are going to have to have enough publicity and/or labeling that people feel safe using them. Those that care most about the environment also care about their own health. There are a number of folks with serious and not as serious dollars to spend that would spend the extra for a healthier alternative for humans and then the environment.

If your product is going to be sold first in the up-scale market, then there must be some level of assurance that it is going to last through the life of the event for the purposes it is being used for. I see semi-monied folks buying a dozen or two actual metal ware with coordinating plastic handles at box discount stores for their functions; basically to be used as a semi-disposable with that all important color coordination aspect. (Summer plastic ware, informal patio party ware, and summer party accessories now change color by the year.) It must also be functional and if 25% more expensive at least as resistant to breaking as the expensive plastic ware.

If your product is to move out of the up-scale to the lesser-scales – it must be washable. Often it is the lesser scale folks who choose the more expensive plastic ware (from utensils, to dishware and plates, to serve ware, and even party tablecloths without felt backing) because it is more functional and reusable; it saves money over the more lesser quality somewhere between half-way the the first to the end of the second event. At minimum, the utensils must stand up through the first use; the beverage holders to heat and acids found in juices and wines; the plates to heat, oil/fat, and acids found in a full range of foods; and the serve ware to use when food is prepared up to 24 hours in advance in addition to the requirements of the plates. To get a wider acceptance, being able to be washed, even if it is hand washed in typical hand washing dish soap and a hot water rinse, would be even better; marketing the Re-use capability could be a plus too. Color could be an important factor and food staining could be even more critical.

If you could address some of these issues while touting, convincingly, that it doesn’t have any related chemical issues – you could have something even if it does cost 25% more. For the masses, you might be able to market to some place like Starbucks as an alternative available for purchase. Or, if you could get them advertised in one of the celebrity magazines – the type that say S0-N-So is using and you too can buy it at. Still being able to re-use them at a cost par to the better plastic types let alone 25% more is probably going to be a key.
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