Wooden ice cream spoons: are they better than plastic?

Wooden ice cream spoons are now the standard in New Zealand because single-use plastic cutlery was banned from 1 July 2023. Compared with plastic, wooden spoons come from a renewable material and can break down in compost, though they are not perfect: they can feel dry in the mouth and still use resources. The best option of all, when you're at home, is a regular metal spoon you wash and reuse.

With a name like ours, we have a soft spot for wooden spoons. Here is what you need to know.

Why did plastic spoons disappear?

Because they were banned. As part of New Zealand's phase-out of hard-to-recycle and single-use plastics, the government banned the sale and manufacture of single-use plastic tableware and cutlery from 1 July 2023. The Ministry for the Environment's guidance lists single-use forks, spoons, teaspoons, knives and chopsticks, and notes it also covers cutlery packaged with food, such as with single-serve ice cream.

So the little plastic spoon that once came taped to a pottle of ice cream has been replaced, usually by wood or by a moulded fibre alternative.

What are wooden spoons made from?

Disposable wooden spoons are typically cut or pressed from thin sheets of fast-growing hardwood, such as birch. They are smoothed and shaped so they don't splinter. Good-quality spoons are uncoated, which matters for composting, while some cheaper ones have a wax or plastic coating to make them feel smoother. If a spoon has a plasticky sheen, it may not compost well.

Wood vs other options

Do wooden spoons affect the taste?

A little, for some people. Wood absorbs a tiny bit of moisture, so the spoon can feel dry against the tongue, and a cheap spoon might add a faint woody taste. Smooth, well-finished spoons are better. A couple of tricks help:

• Let your ice cream soften slightly before eating; soft ice cream glides off a wooden spoon more easily. See how to soften ice cream.
• Use the spoon flat, scraping rather than digging, so you don't snap it.
• At home, just use a metal spoon.

How to dispose of a wooden spoon

Treat a plain wooden spoon like any other bit of untreated wood:

1. Home compost: snap it into pieces and add it with your browns (leaves, cardboard). It will take longer to break down than food scraps.
2. Council food and garden bin: some councils accept small wooden items and some don't. Check your local council's list.
3. Rubbish bin: if neither option is available, it goes in general waste. Don't put it in recycling, because wood isn't accepted in kerbside recycling.

Are wooden spoons hygienic?

Yes, for single use. Disposable wooden spoons are made to be used once and thrown away or composted, so hygiene is not a concern as long as they are stored in their packaging until needed. Don't wash and reuse cheap disposable ones; the wood absorbs water, can crack and is hard to dry properly. Proper wooden kitchen spoons are a different thing and are made to be washed and used for years.

Reusing is still best

A wooden spoon beats a plastic one, but a reusable spoon beats both. If you often grab an ice cream on the go, keep a small metal or bamboo spoon in your bag or car. For office treats, a drawer of washable spoons saves a pile of waste; our guide to planning an office ice cream party has more ideas. For parties at home, real bowls and spoons always feel nicer anyway.

Wooden spoons at events and kids' parties

If you're serving ice cream to a crowd, wooden spoons are the practical choice when washing up isn't an option. A few tips make them work better:

• Buy spoons that are smooth and uncoated, and run your thumb along a couple to check for rough edges.
• Choose a slightly larger spoon or paddle for scooped ice cream; tiny tasting spoons snap in hard ice cream.
• Serve ice cream a little softer than usual so small hands don't have to dig.
• Set out a clearly labelled compost or green waste bin next to the general rubbish.
• For younger children, supervise so nobody chews the spoon into splinters.

Planning the quantities as well as the cutlery? Our party ice cream guide has a table for 10 to 100 guests.

A note on our name

The wooden spoon is the most basic tool in any kitchen: the one you stir custard with, scrape the pan with and lick at the end. That hands-on, homemade spirit is what we try to put into every tub. Every batch of our ice cream starts as a custard cooked on the stove; you can read more on our how it's made page.

The bottom line

Wooden spoons replaced plastic in New Zealand for good reason. They come from a renewable material and, if uncoated, can return to the soil. They are not quite as smooth as plastic, and they are still single-use, so reach for a washable spoon whenever you can. Whatever you eat it with, make sure it's something worth eating: start with our current flavours.