When throwing an elegant and sustainable party, eco-friendly dinnerware is a must. Choosing biodegradable or compostable plates, bowls, and utensils reduces landfill waste.
Bridging the gap between style and sustainability, Chic Leaf uses palm leaves (a byproduct of care palm trees) to make durable and beautiful products. They also use borosilicate glass, a responsibly sourced material.
Palm Leaf Disposable Plates
These earthy plates are made from palm leaves that are sanitized and pressed into shape. They’re also reusable and compostable. You can use them for all your dining needs, from dinner parties and weddings to camping trips, BBQs, family meals, and personal snacking.
They’re also more sustainable than bamboo plates because no trees were cut down to produce them. Plus, they can hold hot or cold foods and are sturdy enough to stand up to food trucks.
Unlike traditional paper and plastic plates, these are free of wax lining and won’t break or sag when loaded with food. They’re an excellent choice for restaurants that want to go green because they reduce the amount of washing and sanitizing needed. They’re also biodegradable and compostable as a zero-waste alternative to landfill waste.
This set includes 25 10-inch palm leaf plates and ten 7-inch palm plate bowls. They’re perfect for your next dinner party or family meal. They’re made with nontoxic materials that are safe for your microwave and dishwasher. The manufacturer uses a transparent supply chain to ensure no toxins are getting into your home or food. They also share the details of their creative development, shipping logistics, quality control, and factory management. The company is dedicated to providing an eco-friendly option for elegant dinner parties that won’t break your budget or the planet.
Plant Fiber Disposable Dinnerware
Many eco-friendly plates and bowls, like elegant disposable dinnerware, are crafted with natural materials that are either nontoxic or minimal toxic chemicals. Some brands even work to reduce their carbon footprint by donating a portion of profits toward positive change. The sustainable dinnerware at Material Kitchen is one of those examples. Their minimalist plates, cups, and cutlery are made from plant-based biodegradable materials that do not contain PFAs (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances). Those are the same types of chemicals used to create Teflon, which big-name brands are phasing out.
The bulk dinnerware set at Greenlid is also plant-based, made from a combination of sugarcane or bagasse, bamboo straw, wheat straw, and wood fibers or byproducts. It is commercially compostable and can be used for reheating, making it an excellent choice for restaurants and cafeterias that want to go green. The plates are a great alternative to traditional plastic and styrofoam disposable plates.
Other plate and dish options at this eco-friendly dinnerware store include ceramics, glassware, and stoneware. The ceramics at Gibson are crafted with natural and earth-friendly clay. They have an extensive supply chain and work to ensure their manufacturing partners pay fair wages and provide safe working conditions. Their glassware is sourced from local artisans, who produce high-quality products using borosilicate glass.
Reusable Tablecloths & Napkins
Choosing the right table linens is critical to creating a stylish and sustainable dining experience. Cloth napkins are an easy way to reduce the amount of disposable dinnerware you use, as they can be repurposed into cleaning rags or recycled. Choose a cloth napkin in an eco-friendly fabric such as cotton that meets the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) to ensure the textiles are grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and dyes. You can also find tablecloths and napkins in various colors that complement any décor.
Made from Areca leaves that are naturally shed, palm leaf plates and trays offer an elegant alternative to paper plates. These plates are 100% biodegradable and compostable, requiring no trees to be cut down for production. They’re sturdy enough to handle greasy or oily foods and have an elegant, smooth surface that won’t leave dark blotches behind. This small, locally-owned company has been operating since early 2016 and focuses on connecting with eco-conscious customers to provide them with fashionable, long-lasting, sustainable dinnerware options.
Designed with sharing in mind, this Los Angeles-based brand aims to “make the kitchen a happier place by designing sustainable ceramics that are built to last and share.” Pair these minimalist dinnerware sets with matching mugs and drinking glasses to create a fully toxin-free, zero-waste tablescape.
Recycling Bins
While choosing eco-friendly disposable plates, consider a matching recycling bin to simplify sorting trash and recyclables. This one from Japanese housewares store Muji has a sleek, minimal design that blends into any kitchen (though you’ll need ample space for it not to dominate the room). It comes in three colors that match many of our sustainable tableware options and features two separate pedals for recycling and trash and a slot for bin bags.
Another option is this streamlined bin from Von Haus, which has a coordinating color scheme. Its slimline design makes it an excellent choice for narrow spaces, and it comes with a set of colorful stickers to label each compartment. Its three-compartment design will help you reduce your waste even further, and its firm-close lid and internal bin bag stabilizers are a bonus.
If you’re looking for a more rustic option, check out this bamboo bin from East Fork, made on an old tobacco farm in Asheville, North Carolina. The company is dedicated to sustainability and offers a wide range of sustainable pottery dinnerware, including bowls, cups, mugs, and salad plates that are all 100% compostable.
The company’s earthy and natural-toned porcelain dishes are crafted in small batches by local artisans who are paid above minimum wage. They also partner with Eden Reforestation Projects and other philanthropic organizations to offset their carbon footprint. For glassware, they rely on local glassblowers and smaller Italian manufacturers to create unique pieces like their best-selling nontoxic Always Pan and the Velasca Calices wine glasses.
