Party Plates Without the Problems
by TreeHugger on 02.15.05
Face it, you've got to be some kind of green saint to use only permanent tableware all the time. Every once in a while, at a small art opening or knitting circle you've got to have disposable dishes. For those times, when you still want your table to look great, there are some perfectly beautiful options available. But in that rare case when you're having a get together for your entire family tree, or Christmas party at work, and you need hundreds of disposable dishes, sexy can be just a little too expensive. Luckily, going cheap doesn't mean letting mamma earth down...
SinlessBuying.com is a great resource for disposable dinnerware with an eye on price. They make a huge variety of dishes, from cafeteria-style trays to soup bowls. Each piece is made from 100% Bagasse, which is the fibrous pulp left over after processing sugar cane. That way, you utilize a material which would otherwise go to waste, and keep more trees standing. Even better, this gives an additional source to income to often poor sugar cane plantation towns. And when you're done, these plates and bowls can be composted down to dirt again -- contact your local waste management company to see if composting is available in your area. :: SinlessBuying Dinnerware [by DM]
Squat, by Duane Smith, at Re:Modern, Your Hot New Online Furniture and Accessories Source
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I'm not sure if SinlessBuying Dinnerware is the same company that produces the goods I've run into at some picnics I've gone to, but there is a company that produces untensils that are made of some sort of cornstarchy-pastaish material that biodegrades much more quickly and safely than plastic.
Great stuff!
I tried to buy these from sinlessbuying--they actually directly me to www.worldcentric.org. Worldcentric was incredibly efficient and has on-line purchasing... my experience with them was great. I got my plates and cups in just a few days--and in plenty of time for my fundraiser event.
The plates and cups themselves seem pretty much like your standard paper goods. The cups hold hot and cold drinks well. No smell, reasonably sturdy, etc. Plus, no more expensive than regular paper goods (minus shipping, unless you live in San Fransisco).
I tried some of these products and found that compared to the Stalkmarket brand Sugar Cane plates at Wild Oats these are not as strong and sort of flimsy. At a function our PTA did, we had 3 people have their plates start to collapse on them and one dumped some food on the carpet because of it. I suggest you use two for making sure they don't fall apart on you. We have switched at the PTA functions to the Stalkmarket product with no problems. It feels heavier and thicker.