Disposable plates and silverware are thrown away after each use which, let’s be honest, isn’t that great for the environment. Eco-friendly disposables offer a sustainable alternative to foam or plastic products that end up sitting in landfills for decades. These eco-friendly products are made from biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable materials that are designed to bridge the gap between convenience and conscientiousness.
Don’t know where to start looking for eco-friendly disposables? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve gathered our best recommendations for bamboo disposable plates and eco-friendly single-use silverware. Peruse this list at your leisure, then check out our FAQ at the bottom where we give answers to popular questions about disposable plates and eco-friendly bamboo products.
This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.
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Bamboo is one of the most environmentally friendly disposable plates. It’s highly renewable because of its ability to grow super fast, and its quick growth makes it a sustainable alternative to other disposable plates. Bamboo paper plates and bowls generally take 4–6 months to biodegrade, and many of them are even compostable. To put that into perspective, here’s a fun (and terrifying) fact: Plastic plates take around 1,000 years to fully decompose. Yikes.
Paper plates take about 180 days to decompose, but the environmental impact of paper plates far outweighs its ability to quickly biodegrade. Each year, the U.S. cuts down approximately 68 million trees to produce paper products.
Bamboo plates can be hand washed just like any other plates in your cupboards, but keep them out of the dishwasher. The harsher detergents and high heat of your dishwasher can easily warp and ruin your bamboo plates.
To clean your bamboo plates, start by rinsing the bowl under warm water. Grab a mild dish detergent and wash the plates with a soft sponge or natural bristle scrub brush. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or tools to clean your bamboo — items like SOS pads or bleach can cause permanent damage to the integrity of the dishes. Rinse the plates thoroughly, then wipe ‘em dry with a soft cloth. That’s it! You’ll be left with spotless bamboo dishes ready for your next meal.
Bamboo is a lightweight and durable material that’s made from sustainable bamboo plants. Bamboo plates typically last anywhere from 1.5–2 years. After a while, water eventually finds its way into the structure of the bamboo, which causes some spots and discoloration to form. Bamboo disposable plates, on the other hand, biodegrade in about 4–6months.
We love bamboo so much that we created Seedling by Grove. It’s our signature tree-free line of everyday products like toilet paper, paper towels, and compostable kitchen wipes made from 100 percent bamboo. Our bamboo is sustainably harvested, soft, and strong – so you can clean up messes in a way that’s good for you and the Earth, too.
Curious about bamboo? We asked an expert to tell us more about bamboo’s sustainability — and then wrote about it! Learn more about this natural alternative to paper and get some tips for switching to bamboo products.
At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.
If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.
