Who doesn't love the convenience of disposable plates? If you've gone green though, these were probably one of the first things you gave up. Thanks to some earth friendly companies, you can now enjoy disposable plates without feeling guilty.
Disposable plates are a favorite among busy people. They’re perfect for picnics, parties, and even busy nights. The only downside is their effect on the environment. If you use paper plates quite frequently, you may be killing hundreds of trees each year. The effects are even worse if you use plastic or foam plates. Thankfully, there’s a solution and it doesn’t involve washing dishes.
Environmentally Friendly Paper Plates
What happens to all the paper that gets recycled? Well, some of it ends up as recycled paper plates. That’s right. You can actually buy paper plates that are made from recycled paper. No longer do you have to feel guilty about buying paper plates for a party or home use. Best of all, you can even find recycled paper plates with colorful designs. An example would be the plates offered by Natural Elements. They feature designs made with water based inks. This allows them to make the plates without used petroleum. In fact, the printing process is both chlorine and chemical free. Their plates are made using recycled paper that contains components that are low in toxins. Even the packaging is recyclable.
Plastic and Bamboo Plates
If recycled paper plates aren’t your cup of tea, why not consider recycled plastic or plates made from bamboo? Recycled plastic plates, like those from Preserve, are made from100% recycled plastic and are even reusable. The plates offered from Preserve are made from recycled yogurt cups so there’s no worrying about where the plastic came from. If bamboo is more your style, Solo now offers plates made from pulp molded bamboo. Bamboo is readily available and grows quickly. The plates from Solo are also ink-free, microwave safe, and feature a natural color that works with any party theme.
Where to Buy
Chances are your grocery store already offers some of these choices. The only downside is that you may be limited to one or possibly two different brands that are earth friendly. Online stores, such as Amazon, offer a wide variety of plates that are environmentally friendly. Just be aware that these plates will cost more than your average disposable plates. Most will cost at least $0.20 per plate.