# Eco Potato Cutlery Spudware By PinkVixen | Published 2007-10-16 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/potato-cutlery References: [treecycle](http://www.treecycle.com/biodegradable.html#cutlery) & [sfgate](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/01/07/BUG8KNE27Q1.DTL) No, I am not talking about potato shaped knives or forks, but cutlery made for a mixture of [potato starch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-packaging-concept) and soybean oil. Spudware as it is called, is as strong as plastic can be reused, and when disposed, biodegrades in as little as 180 days. **Implications** - This is a great alternative to [plastic cutlery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pocket-utensil-set), which stays in landfills for an extended period of time. The great thing is, this [eco-friendly innovation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lollo) is as tough as its formalists, and it biodegrades in just 180 days! It is also waterproof, meaning you can reuse the pieces for however long you wish to. Sounds like a college student's dream if you ask me. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Eco-friendly Cutlery:** The trend of eco-friendly cutlery made from sustainable materials like potato starch and soybean oil presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the food service industry to reduce plastic waste. - **Biodegradable Utensils:** The trend of biodegradable utensils that can decompose in 180 days opens up disruptive innovation possibilities for companies in the disposable cutlery market to offer more sustainable options. - **Reusable Dinnerware:** The trend of reusable dinnerware made from durable materials like Spudware provides disruptive innovation opportunities for the hospitality sector to reduce single-use plastic waste while providing a convenient and eco-friendly solution. ### Where This Applies - **Food Service:** The food service industry can explore the use of eco-friendly cutlery as a way to reduce plastic waste and meet the growing demand for sustainable dining options. - **Disposable Cutlery:** The disposable cutlery industry can capitalize on the demand for biodegradable utensils by developing innovative products made from materials like potato starch and soybean oil. - **Hospitality:** The hospitality sector can adopt reusable dinnerware made from durable materials like Spudware to enhance sustainability efforts and provide a more eco-friendly dining experience for guests. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Kid-Friendly Biobased Tableware](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biobased-tableware.md) - [All-in-One Eco Party Plates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knork-eco-party-plate.md) - [Flatpack Metal Utensil Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uphold-cutlery.md) - [Ultra-Durable Reusable Utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiultra-k-sporkit.md) - [Card-Size Travel Cutlery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/travel-cutlery.md) - [Plastic-Free Food Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plasticfree-food-packaging.md) - [Compostable Cutlery Dispensers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cutlery-dispenser.md) - [Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Straws](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biodegradable-straw.md) - [Edible Ice Cream Spoons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ice-cream-spoons.md)