Consumer Reports just tested six different disposable plates. Some are made of paper, while others are made of foam or plastic. And one kind from Veneerware is made of bamboo.

"Bamboo plates claim to be sturdy, but they're expensive -- about a $1.50 a plate, while the others are 20 cents or less," said Consumer Reports’ Erin Gudeux.

First, the plates were tested to see how much food they can hold without collapsing. A store-brand paper plate gave out right away. But the others withstood a full meal -- almost a pound of fried chicken, corn, potato salad, and cole slaw.

To test the bamboo plates' claim of extra sturdiness, testers heaped more than three pounds of food on them. The plates held up without collapsing.

Testers also checked to see how well each type of plate kept greasy food from soaking through to your clothes.

Testers poured a mixture of oil and water on each plate and left it for 60 minutes. Nothing soaked through with most of the plates. But the bamboo plates failed this test, with quite a bit of soak-through.

The best in the picnic plate tests -- an old standby that costs just pennies a plate, Dixie Ultra plates. These plates made of coated paper, turned out to be sturdy and they don't leak.

Consumer Reports said there is another plus to the Dixie Ultra plates. They are widely available so they should be easy to find for your next picnic.

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