The use of disposable eco-friendly plates is becoming a common trend due to their impact on our health and environment. When people think of parties, picnics, weddings and other events, what readily comes to mind is eating and drinking. However, they may not care about what happens afterward.
At the end of the party, the organizers have a lot on their hands to deal with. And chief among them is the plates. According to research, 79% of these disposable plates are made of plastics that end up in our landfills and water bodies.
Studies reveal that eco-friendly plates prevent chemicals from getting into our food and body. And they are also a sustainable alternative to plastic plates. These plates are made from biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable materials. They are meant to bridge the gap between convenience and responsibility.
So in this blog post, we will discuss disposable eco-friendly plates and why they are the best alternative to plastics.
Types Of Disposable Eco-friendly Plates
There are many types of disposable eco-friendly plates. They include the following:
1. Palm Leaf Plates
Palm leaf plates are our top pick for disposable eco-friendly plates. You may be wondering how this is possible. But they are. The leaves that are used are the ones that have fallen from the palm tree. So they don’t contribute to deforestation.
These leaves are cleaned with water and turmeric and left to dry in the air. Once the leaves are dry, they are used to make plates. One leaf can be used to make several plates.
The versatility of palm leaf plates makes them great for any event. The natural wood grain finish gives them a high-end look. These plates come out in different colors and patterns.
Plates made from palm leaves are light and strong. And they can handle hot foods, microwaves, and even steak knives without any difficulty. Because they are made from natural substances, they contain zero chemicals, glues, or other harmful substances.
And best still, they promote a sustainable environment as they are 100% composted and biodegraded.
2. Birchwood Plates
The beautiful thing about using Birchwood plates is that they are 100% compostable. And they are capable of breaking down in 80 days.
Cutting down trees to make single-use plates seems counterproductive, which is why the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is of the opinion that harvesting and planting birchwood is an excellent way to protect the environment.
When thinking of stylish disposable eco-friendly plates, Birchwood plates readily come to mind. They come in many different sizes and shapes with beautiful wood colors.
Each of these plates has a different wood pattern that makes it unique. They look great at fancy events. Because they are made from wood, they are easier to cut and shape into different shapes and sizes.
This is the reason they are smoother and softer than other plates. In addition, there are no waxes or polishes on the birchwood and as a result not harmful to either humans or the environment.
3. Sugarcane Plates
![100% Compostable Paper Plates, Heavy Duty Disposable Plates [125-Pack] 9](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91jmyyjvGXL._SL500_.jpg)
At the mention of sugarcane plates, what comes to mind is the sweet taste of sugarcane. These disposable eco-friendly plates are made from sugarcane plants.
Sugarcane plates are 100% biodegradable and can break down in 90 days. This is because they are made from bagasse, a strong, fibrous part of the sugarcane plant.
Bagasse is what’s left after the sweet juice is taken out of sugarcane stalks that are usually thrown away. The bagasse is turned into pulp, and after impurities are removed, it is mixed with reagents to make it resistant to oil and water. Machines then make the plates into different shapes and sizes.
Sugarcane plates don’t absorb grease, so you won’t have to worry about greasy food leaking through a thin plate. They are also dense and so perfect for heavy, thick foods like steak.
So if you’re shopping for disposable eco-friendly plates, sugarcane plates are a good value for your money. They are worth every penny you spend on them.
4. Disposable Bamboo plates
In the past few years, bamboo plates have become more popular. The plates look like wood but are very strong and don’t break.
In collecting the sheath, no harm is done to the bamboo. When a bamboo plant has matured, the sheath that protects it falls off. Then, these sheaths are cleaned, shaped and glued together.
Bamboo plates are better alternatives to plastic and styrofoam because they break down naturally. Even the thickest bamboo only takes a few months to break down. But styrofoam can take up to 900 years to break down.
Moreover, bamboo plants grow more quickly and are a source of oxygen than most other plants. As a result, they take in carbon dioxide, which helps reduce greenhouse gas effects.
When used to produce plates, they are strong and lightweight. They can handle messy and heavy foods without breaking. They also add a touch of nature to your event and make the table settings more captivating.
When put next to brightly colored tablecloths, they stand out and look beautiful.
They are a great way to avoid using harmful disposable plates like styrofoam and are suitable for both casual and luxury events.
5. Compostable Paper Plates
You might be thinking that paper plates don’t belong on a list of things that are good for the environment. But that is not true.
A paper plate is better for the environment than plastic. Paper plates take about five years to break down, which is longer than other biodegradable options. Yet they are much shorter than styrofoam and plastic, which take hundreds of years.
Paper plates come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. You can choose fancy, decorated paper plates for parties and weddings, and for a kid’s birthday party, you can go for brightly colored paper plates.
Paper plates are also much cheaper. Since they are lightweight, they can easily be moved around. Because they are lightweight, you will need two or three paper plates to hold heavy food.
You should not waste time eating your food on paper plates to avoid food soaking into the plates. Paper plates are a great alternative to plastics anytime.
Benefits Of Using Disposable Eco-friendly Plates
Using disposable eco-friendly plates has so many benefits. Let’s look at some of the benefits below:
a. They Are Not Harmful To The Environment
As the name suggests, disposable eco-friendly plates are good for the environment because they don’t leave toxic chemicals. Also, they break down over time, releasing nutrients into the soil.
b. They Are Non-toxic
Plastic products, especially food packaging, are known to leach harmful chemicals into the food. One reason is that chemicals like dyes, bleaches, and inks are used to treat single-use plastics.
Although some of them are safe to use, others are not. For example, chemicals like Bisphenol A are released when hot drinks are put in plastic bottles. These chemicals affect the endocrine system, leading to a wide range of health problems, such as hormone imbalances, problems with metabolism, and even some cancers.
But you can’t say the same thing about biodegradable disposables. The materials used to make these products come from plants and are safe. So you don’t have to worry about chemicals getting into your hot food and drinks.
Also read: 6 Beautiful Eco-friendly Purse
c. They Are More Energy Efficient
It takes less energy to make eco-friendly plates than it does to make single-use plastics. Plates made from degradable materials require less energy to produce. As a result, they also reduce their carbon footprint in the environment.
d. It Can Be Used To Make Compost.
Do you have a garden? Making your compost is a great way to turn waste from the kitchen and yard into something useful in the garden.
You can also sell your compost, which is an excellent way to earn extra money. Composting is a lot easier when using eco-friendly plates. You can put these plates in your compost bin. This also makes it much easier to clean up after a party.
FAQ
1. Can I Reuse My Eco-friendly Plates?
Yes, you can reuse eco-friendly plates. But they should be carefully checked. It is natural for liquids to soak into the grain over time, so they may not last weeks or months after the first use.
2. Are Eco-friendly Plates Appropriate For Events?
Yes, eco-friendly plates are appropriate for events. They reduce the use of single-use plastics in the environment.
3. What Is The Most Eco-friendly Plate?
Palm leave plates are the most eco-friendly. This is because they are made of dried palm leaves, which break down easily in the environment.
Final Thoughts
Disposable eco-friendly plates are the best alternative to plastics. So when next you want to organize a party or an event, you should consider using them. Since they save you the stress of washing dishes.
Plastics are harmful to our health and the environment, we need to avoid them. These disposable eco-friendly plates are not only biodegradable, but they are also fanciful and you can use them in any event.
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