Paper plates have been used for more than a century now. These plates are generally made out of the byproducts that are released during the process of producing paper.
The paper plate industry is growing consistently and most of the companies generally make use of polystyrene or Styrofoam to prepare the plates and the cups.
However, it wasn’t long before it was found that the constituents of these products were actually quite harmful and could lead to significant damage to the human body.
Researchers found out that the effects on the human body of using these products was quite adverse, especially when human beings consumed eatables in these plates.
On top of that, apart from proving to be harmful for the human body, these plates were also incredibly harmful to the environment. Both polystyrene and Styrofoam are not biodegradable, so they would remain in the soil for hundreds of years before being broken down.
As a result of that, the industry stopped relying on the use of such chemical products. Instead, they began opting for paper plates that were made of Polylactic Acid, or PLA. Some are also made from Bagasse or other materials.
These plates are much more environmentally friendly and apart from being friendly to the environment, they are also quite friendly to human health.
More importantly, these materials do not contain any carcinogens that might mix in with your food and cause damage to your health. So now, instead of buying plastic plates, you can buy plates that are made of viable alternatives which aren’t even as harmful.
However, you should know that there are quite a few alternatives available to paper plates that you will find in the market.
As awareness has begun to spread regarding climate change, more and more people have become wary about their carbon footprint. You have to keep a check on the things that you throw in the garbage, and try and reduce your trash as much as possible.
Paper plates are disposable, so they are not really a good move for people who are conscious about their health.
You get to see these paper plates and plastic knives and forks at quite a few festivals, but they are really not suitable for use in the long run. Even at festivals, these plates are incredibly difficult to clean up and cause a lot of trouble.
Instead of relying on them, there are much better alternatives available in the market. Here are the best alternatives to paper plates that you can find in the market now.
1 – VerTerra
One of the most viable alternatives that you can find in the market these days is VerTerra. VerTerra is a company that manufactures high-quality plates and dinnerware that is made from palm leaf plates.
The Smithsonian has recognized it as one of the first of its kind available in the country, and the VerTerra dinnerware is completely made from 100% renewable resources.
There are a number of different collections that have been released by the company, such as their Fallen Leaves collection. Instead of using the same disposable paper plates again and again, you should consider switching to these ones.
Many people also like the designs on offer. They consider them to be chic and stylish. Apart from that, the VerTerra dinnerware remains one of the most popular alternatives to people who are looking for suitable and high-quality dinnerware.
The entire dinner set is made from only two ingredients: water and fallen palm leaves. After they have been disposed of, the plates will biodegrade on their own within a couple of months.
There are quite a few options available to you when selecting the size, the design, and the style of the plate itself.
2 – Veneerware
If you really want to play your role in protecting the environment against needless damage, you should consider using plates that don’t need to be discarded after a one-time use.
One of the best choices available for you in this regard is Veneerware. As the name suggests, these plates are designed to look like polished wood.
They are made from 100% organic bamboo, and are produced by a company known as bambu. Once you get rid of these plates and chuck them in the bin, they are going to disintegrate and degrade within four to six months only.
On top of that, the plates are incredibly sturdy and won’t break even if you put an entire steak on them.
Needless to say, they are capable of being reused again and again. In fact, you can reuse them for up to 10 times before you discard them. They are relatively durable and can be cleaned smoothly using standard materials. They are also completely free of any chemicals and are USDA biobased certified.
For people who want to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle and minimize their garbage, this is one of the best choices available in the market.
3 – World Centric
The World Centric collection is yet another excellent alternative to using paper plates. They are made using leftover agricultural fibers as well as wheat straw. As a result of that, the resource is completely renewable and readily available.
The really amazing part is that these plates and dinner sets are microwave friendly and can be used in the freezer as well.
You can also carry hot or cold food without having to worry about using additional plastic to hold it. There’s no need for using wax lining either. The plates are completely soak proof and are compostable, allowing you to reuse them however you want.
The World Centric collection is available online and you can easily order it for use at home. You can easily use it at parties or for general purpose at home, making it a great choice for people who want to take their carbon footprint seriously and reduce their wastage.
These are just a few things that you should know about the best alternatives to paper plates available in the market.
I have two Associate’s degrees, one in Medical Assisting and the other in Computer Technician, and I am roughly five classes from a bachelor’s degree. Though I never ended up working in the medical field, I have five and a half years of experience in IT. I recently became a stay-at-home mom to my two young boys, and I’m so excited to start this adventure with them! In my spare time, I love to bake and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on.