Surprising Alternatives in Disposable Dinnerware

Parties can be notorious waste generators, with disposable plates and cups being major culprits. That’s why any search for green party planning tips will inevitably lead to this tip: use reusable plates. But sometimes, it just isn’t practical to serve on reusable plates — say, if you don’t have a dishwasher, or you’re hosting a large party. In those cases, make an effort to choose the most eco-friendly disposable plates you can.

The quest for eco-friendly disposables has led to options beyond materials like Styrofoam, plastic, and paper. The alternative materials below offer ways to green your disposable plate choices — though just how they’re made, and how they’re disposed of must still be considered. On that note, they do have one thing in common: they’re all compostable (with caveats). When it comes to dinnerware, composting may be preferable to recycling because food can contaminate recyclable plates, which for all intents and purposes makes themunrecyclable. Remember that any eco benefits from disposable alternatives can only be realized with proper disposal, and their manufacturing must also be weighed against recyclability/compostability. Read on for five alternative materials that are being used to create eco-friendly disposable plates.