Who doesn’t enjoy a picnic or backyard barbeque with friends and family? But the disposable plastic bowls, plates, and cutlery commonly used at these events have a terrible impact on the environment. If unrecycled, they become permanent waste in landfills, foul waterways with microplastics, endanger wildlife, degrade the environment, and increase society’s carbon footprint. Instead, why not use sustainable and compostable tableware and cutlery that offer the ease of single-use plastics without the environmental hazards?
Here are six biodegradable and compostable cutlery and tableware products to consider before your next picnic or BBQ.
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EcoProducts Compostable Square Sugarcane Plates
Most of EcoProducts’ products are made using recycled and compostable renewable material. The company also offsets its CO2 emissions through funding of methane recapture programs at Washington state’s Rainier Farm Biogas Project. And its GreenStripe® products can be composted by commercial composting programs starting to appear around the country. EcoProducts is certified by the USDA BioPreferred program, and all its products are between 75% and 100% biobased.
The EcoProducts Compostable Square Sugarcane Plates are made from renewable sources, making them an eco-friendly alternative to disposable plates made from plastic or virgin timber. The product is certified to be biodegradable following the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6868 standard and is ideal for picnics, family gatherings, outings, and weddings. With this case of 250 10-inch by 10-inch sugarcane-based disposable dinner plates, you can enjoy your meal and your event to the fullest with a smaller impact on the environment.
Bambu Compostable Cutlery and Straws
Bambu makes zero-waste solutions to replace petroleum-based, resource-intensive, single-use cutlery. Their biodegradable products are made from natural plant-based materials and contain no plastic. Some of the major certifications held by Bambu are USDA Biobased, Certified Organic, and Carbon Neutral.
Bambu Compostable Cutlery sets are an eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic cutlery. All the items in the set are made without glues, lacquers, or pesticides; the company says they are biodegradable and compostable in four to six months. And if you are serving juice, shakes, or any beverage people drink with a straw, check out the biodegradable Bambu Disposable Straws.
Bio & Chic White Oval Sugarcane Bowl
Bio & Chic offers eco-friendly dinnerware and disposable catering supplies, including bowls, straws, plates, serving trays, and more. Most of the company’s products are plastic-free and plant-based; they are disposable, compostable, and biodegradable. And their tableware collection is elegant enough to cater to any setting, casual to formal.
Made from bagasse (sugarcane fibers), the Bio & Chic White Oval Sugarcane Bowl is commercially compostable and biodegradable. Available in a case of 100, these versatile dinner bowls are great for both hot and cold foods. They are an eco-friendly addition to picnics, BBQs, weddings, cocktail parties, or whenever you want to make an impression.
Bamboo Bamboo Penguin Suction Plate
Kids need to enjoy their meal, engaging with the texture and design of their food and what it is served in — but that doesn’t mean it has to be bad for the planet. Bamboo Bamboo, as the name repeats, makes 100% bamboo-based natural and organic products that provide a suitable alternative to plastic bowls and plates for children. All their bamboo products are free of pesticides and safe for your children and the environment.
The Bamboo Bamboo Penguin Suction Plate is made for babies and toddlers. The plate’s silicone base provides strong suction to hold it to the table, ensuring that your little one doesn’t flip any more meals onto the ground. Made from reusable, eco-friendly bamboo, the plate remains cool to the touch to protect your baby’s delicate skin.
Stack Man 3-Compartment Unbleached Paper Plates (125)
Stack Man provides 100%-compostable cutlery, plates, and clamshell containers to help you enjoy your meals while reducing your environmental impact. The plates are biodegradable, grease-resistant, freezer-safe, and microwave-safe made using organic, earth-friendly materials, including unbleached paper and sugarcane fiber.
The Stack Man 3-Compartment Unbleached Paper Plates come in a package of 125 9-inch plates made with 100% sugarcane bagasse. The three-compartment plates keep hot and cold dishes separate and are microwave and freezer safe. These plates are commercially compostable, making them a sustainable addition to your picnic table.
Avant Grub Bowls
Avant Grub makes a range of eco-friendly food and cutlery products that are BPA-free, grease-resistant, and made using natural materials, such as bamboo and wheat straw. Avant Grub provides a lifetime money-back guarantee on all of its disposable tableware products.
These Avant Grub Bowls are made from wheatstraw and are commercially compostable. Free of BPA, plastic, wax, or chlorine, they are freezer- and microwave-safe, making them good choices for both hot and cold foods. This package of 100 8-ounce bowls is perfect for outdoor activities such as game-time snacks and outdoor parties.
Picnic Sustainably
It’s long past time to ditch single-use plastic cutlery and foam tableware. Stock your pantry with eco-friendly, compostable tableware and cutlery for your meals outdoors, whether you’re in the backyard or a park. You’ll keep harmful toxins and chemicals from contaminating your food while avoiding harmful single-use plastics.