In any industry today, being as environmentally friendly and carbon-conscious as possible is important, both to the consumer as well as corporations producing goods. As time progresses, more and more lines of dinnerware are being produced with the recycled and “environmentally friendly” logo printed on the back. You can even find ranges of plates that are made out of compressed leaves and biodegrade after 2 months of use.
All this can surely only be a good thing, or is it? Is the overall quality of the product being jeopardized at all when using recyclable materials during the production? It varies greatly from range to range and material to material, but it certainly is a question that I am looking to answer over the course of this article. Here is a quick look at a couple of examples of dinnerware that are made from a variety of different recycling methods and materials.
Pressed Leaves
The company responsible for this marvelous concoction is VerTerra, an eco-conscious company that specializes in biodegradable dinnerware. They achieve this characteristic by collecting fallen leaves and then steaming and compressing them into a mold to form a plate. After that, they have two months before they start breaking down and decomposing.
Don’t be fooled by these plates for their relatively humble origins though. They may be produced from dead leaves, but they can sure hold their own. Boasting a 350 degree oven resistance and the ability to endure 2 minutes of microwaveable heating, these plates are a cheap and practical way of boosting your eco-credentials amongst your more environmentally aware acquaintances.
Cellulose Plates
Another biodegradable yet durable product, cellulose plates are made from a specific blend of plant cellulose (hence the name). The hulls from straw and rice are also combined with coconut shells and bamboo fiber to give the product its strength as well as its trendy natural coloration. With a home usage life of 5 years before biodegrading, you certainly get your value for money when purchasing from this line of impressive products.
Both these product have the bonus of not leaving plastic to fill landfills – or the ocean – with junk. My preference, is looking for an eco-friendly line, would be Cellulose Plates. These would seem ideal for use as casual dinnerware sets ideal for everyday use.