You'd think any reusable tableware has a significantly lower impact to the environment than disposables. Regardless of what the tableware is made of albeit Melamine, Polycarbonate, Ceramic, Stainless Steel or Enamel research shows that disposables are not necessarily worse for the environment.
Let's take a ceramic mug against a paper cup as an example as we all drink from both these days and love a nice cuppa coffee when we're on the move. Focusing on what is best for the environment in regards to energy you would need to reuse a ceramic cup 294 times to equal a paper one. In terms of air pollution you would need to reuse the ceramic cup 48 times and 99 times to equal that of waste. In terms of water consumption ceramic cups use far more than the entire life-cycle of a paper cup.
So who's the winner? In terms of functional use we all know a paper cup can only be used once where a ceramic cup can be used up to 1,000's of times and this is where it wins.
However factoring in the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment / Analysis) we see further energy consumption with water consumption in regards to ceramics i.e dish washing / rinsing, there are other factors too, weight in terms of logistics and storage issues all add to further use of energy.
In summary reusable tableware is better for the environment provided it's longevity meets a minimum use of over 500 uses. Failing that and factoring in other energy consumption like washing etc disposables would be kinder to the environment.