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Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Plates for a Sustainable Party

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Enjoy a Sustainable Celebration With the Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Plates

Whether it’s a wedding, birthday parties, a zero waste cookout, or picnics in the park, there are plenty of occasions when you need a convenient way to serve food to a lot of people. For the longest time, disposable plastic dinnerware was the way to go. However, now that we understand the dangers of plastic, we have a new and better sustainable alternative: eco-friendly disposable plates.

These eco-friendly plates are made from compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable materials that bridge the gap between convenience and sustainability. They work just as well as their plastic counterparts but without the excess waste.

Best of all, most of these biodegradable plates are just as affordable as plastic plates, so you can easily go green and stay within your budget. The next time you’re planning a celebration, you can make it gentler on the environment with these best eco-friendly disposable plates.

The Problems With Plastic Disposable Tableware

There are numerous issues with the plastic products we use for eating and drinking. The first one is very obvious: excess waste.

Plastic takes hundreds and hundreds of years to start breaking down. In the meantime, it accumulates in landfills or, even worse, our waterways.

Once it starts breaking down, these plastics turn into microplastics that have been found nearly everywhere on the planet — including our own bloodstreams. Since microplastics can absorb toxins, they can then release those toxins once they’re in our bodies.

Related: How to Prevent Microfiber Pollution From Your Laundry

However, there’s another way plastic is harmful to our health. Plastic tableware is often made with harmful chemicals. Warm or hot foods absorb these harmful chemicals when they come into contact with the plastic, and we end up consuming the chemicals when we eat the food.

Plus, plastic isn’t just dangerous to humans. Land and aquatic animals are also in danger as plastic waste piles up in the environment and destroys their habitats.

Eco-Friendly Disposable Plates for Your Special Event

Sets of compostable tableware on grass

While reusable plates are always the most sustainable option, we sometimes have occasions when we simply can’t go with reusable. For those times, the best alternatives are eco-friendly disposable plates.

If you’re planning a celebration, you can skip the plastic disposable dinnerware and lower your carbon footprint by choosing one of these best compostable plates instead.

1. Repurpose

Repurpose Compostable Plates

No matter what type of special event you have planned, Repurpose has the eco-friendly products you need to make it more sustainable. This includes heavy-duty compostable plates in an excellent variety of sizes.

You can get 6-inch dessert plates, 8-inch cocktail plates, 9-inch everyday plates, and 10-inch dinner plates. All of the plates are made from upcycled sugarcane pulp and recycled wood chips.

Related: Save the Trees With the Best Eco-Friendly Paper Towels

This makes the plates strong, durable, and cut and leak resistant, so you never have to worry about dealing with a soggy paper plate. It also means the plates are PFAS-free and microwave-safe.

All of the plates are completely non-toxic and fully compostable in a commercial composting facility once you’re done using them. Additionally, the majority of Repurpose products are also Lomi-approved and will break down in a Lomi electric kitchen composter.

You can find a variety of other plant-based, compostable tableware at Repurpose, including compostable bowls, cutlery, cups, and straws. If you decide to get compostable tableware from Repurpose, be sure to use the code EARTHTIPS to enjoy 15% off your order!

2. World Centric

World Centric started as a company created to shed light on the environmental and social problems facing the planet. As the company grew, it needed a way to support its goals without relying on grants and donations. That’s how its line of Fair Trade and compostable products came to be.

Today, you can find compostable plates from World Centric in various sizes and styles perfectly designed to handle your big events. Your options include everything from 6-inch dessert plates and 10-inch dinner plates to 3-compartment divided plates and party plates with a cup holder.

These plates are made from 100% unbleached sugarcane, bamboo, and wheat straw fibers. The plant fibers are a byproduct of farming, and they’re typically burned or thrown away. However, World Centric can give them a new and useful life.

Related: Easy Tips You Can Use Right Now to Reduce Food Waste at Home

Since the plates have no wax or plastic lining on them, they’re completely safe for all types of food. They’re also durable, freezer-safe, and perfect for hot or cold foods. The plates are commercially compostable and will break down in about 180 days.

You can also feel good about your purchase because World Centric is a Certified B Corp and carbon neutral company. Additionally, they donate 25% of sales to world-changing non-profits across the globe.

You can find World Centric products at EarthHero, which is one of the best zero waste online stores. If you decide to get some products, don’t forget to use the code EARTHFRIENDLY so you can enjoy 10% off your order!

3. Stack Man

Stack Man compostable plates are the perfect choice for special events, food trucks, picnics, or even just daily meals. These plates are available in various shapes and sizes, including round, oval, and square.

The plates are made from natural bagasse, which is the dry, pulpy fibrous material that remains after crushing sugarcane. Sugarcane fiber is the perfect alternative to traditional plastic or paper because it’s a sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable material. It also offers the same sturdiness and easy cleanup, yet it’s completely tree- and plastic-free.

Related: Why the Planet and Your Bum Will Love Tree-Free Toilet Paper

Since these plates are plant-based and meet ASTM D6400 or D6868 standards, they’re commercially compostable. This means convenient cleanup for you and a healthier planet for everyone!

There are no wax or plastic linings, so these sugarcane plates are safe to use with hot or cold foods. However, they’re still durable enough to handle greasy foods. They’re also safe to use in the microwave and freezer.

4. Bambu

These bamboo disposable plates from Bambu offer a lot of advantages over compostable paper plates and other types of disposable paper plates. First, these plates are made from certified organic bamboo. Bamboo plants are one of the top renewable resources because they grow so quickly.

Although these bamboo plates are lightweight, they’re strong enough that you can actually use them again and again. However, if you do need to dispose of them, they’re a 100% USDA Certified Biobased Product that will completely compost in just a few months.

Related: Protect Your Food With the Best Plastic-Free and Eco-Friendly Food Storage Containers

The plates have a clean, smooth surface area without any blemishes or dark blotches. Not only does this make them elegant enough for any special occasion, but it also means they can easily handle greasy or oily foods.

5. Eco Soul

Eco Soul has two excellent options when it comes to the best disposable plates: palm leaf plates and bagasse plates.

If you’re interested in something that has a beautiful, natural look and can handle hot foods and liquids exceptionally well, you’ll love the palm leaf plates. These plates are produced using handpicked naturally fallen palm leaves.

In addition to offering reliable leak-resistant strength, these plates are microwave and oven-safe up to 340° F (171° C). The all-natural plates are also free of harmful chemicals. Plus, even though they’re hard and extremely durable, they’re still as light as a paper plate.

Best of all, they’re completely biodegradable. Under ideal conditions, these plates will decompose in 6 to 10 months and transform into nutrient-rich compost that will help other plants grow.

Related: The Must-Have Items You Need to Create a More Sustainable Kitchen

The bagasse plates are made from 100% sugarcane fiber. The thick, wide rim on these plates means they can securely hold all types of foods.

These heavy-duty plates are so sturdy and strong, they’re an outstanding eco-friendly alternative to plastic plates. Plus, since they’re made of all-natural, bio-based materials, you can rest assured no harmful chemicals will be touching the food you eat.

6. Chic Leaf

These Chic Leaf palm leaf plates are another excellent option if you’re looking for something stylish and durable. Thanks to these plates, you don’t have to choose between something that’s durable and better for the planet.

They’re handcrafted by local artisans who use naturally fallen leaves from areca palm trees. The leaves are gathered, sanitized, and then pressed into lovely plates using just water and heat.

The company doesn’t use any chemicals or glues to make the plates, so you can feel comfortable knowing they’re safe for your food and better for the planet.

Related: Outstanding Alternatives to Balloons That Are Perfect for Your Party

If you use the plates with dry foods, you can wipe them off and use them again and again. However, if they ever get to the point where you can’t reuse them anymore, they’re also 100% compostable.

You can find everything from entree-sized plates to dessert-sized plates, so you’ll have no issues getting the sizes and styles you need for your celebration.

7. Charity Leaf

One of the great things about using palm leaf plates, such as these Charity Leaf plates, is that you can rest assured no trees are harmed to manufacture the disposable plates. Instead, only naturally fallen palm leaves are used to make this sustainable tableware.

The leaves are gathered, sorted, sterilized, and pressed in heated molds to make plates that are functional and eco-friendly. These 100% compostable and biodegradable plates don’t contain any dyes, toxins, or chemicals.

Related: Stop Toxins From Leaching Into Your Food With the Best Non-Toxic Cookware

They’re also refrigerator and microwave safe. This makes them ideal for barbecues, picnics, weddings, parties, camping, outdoor events, holidays, and everyday meals.

You can find them in sizes that range from 6 inches for desserts and appetizers to 12 inches for main entrees.

Have a Sustainable Party With Eco-Friendly Dinnerware

Disposable plastic plates can contain harmful toxins that leach into your food. All the waste they create is also a serious problem for the environment. The good news is that you don’t have to use them for your next party or celebration.

When you have to use something that you’ll eventually throw away, make the switch to one of these best eco-friendly disposable plates. These plates are made with renewable materials that are better for your health and the health of the planet.

More Helpful Tips on Eco-Friendly Living

Did you enjoy learning more about the best eco-friendly disposable plates? Are you interested in checking out additional tips that can help you live a sustainable life? Then please be sure to take a look at some of our other popular posts:

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