Eco-Friendly Disposable Dishware & Cutlery Continue To Crop Up In The Market

The words "eco-friendly and disposable" may seem like an oxy-moron, after all -- why throw away anything at all if we can simply reuse it over and over?

But, there are times, crazy family outing times when NO ONE wants to face the dreaded task of washing the dishes.

If you're going to throw any type of utensil, plate or cup away, it's nice to know that more manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and offering a wider selection of options for consumers.

A fellow Greenwala member recently mentioned Solo's efforts, and considering that they are one of the more notable disposable dish/cup/cutlery companies out there, thank goodness they're moving in the right direction.

Quite a few lesser known brands are also following in Solo's footsteps with what I think are far more slick, trendy designs. Here are just a few to whet your appetite:

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1) Wasara creates paper tableware made out of a mix of reed pulp, bamboo, and bagasse. The latter ingredient is also known as sugarcane waste, which is usually discarded in the sugar making process.

2) Verterra creates their dinnerware out of compressed, fallen leaves and water, which I find especially fantastic! They are quite durable so they can be reused pretty easily, and they are also compostable, taking just 2 months to break down entirely.

3) WheatWare offers a reusable as well as disposable option for forks, spoons, knives, and chopsticks. Their Biomass-75 resin line eliminates 75% of the plastic used in conventional plasticware by using wheat biomass in its place. These utensils are dishwasher safe and withstand temperatures of more than 212°. The Cornware line from WheatWare contains no plastic at all. These disposable forks and spoons are biodegradable and made of 100% compostable materials.

4) I think that Bambu's line of 100% organically grown bamboo veneerware products provide a sturdier, more elegant and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional disposable plastic or styrofoam plates. Known to be a sustainable and renewable material, bamboo holds up really well and can be reused multiple times but it also breaks down easily when it is composted properly.

5) PotatoPak's 100% biodegradable plates and bowls are solely made out of potato starch. Non-toxic and eco-friendly, they are very durable but their one drawback is that if they get soaked a little too much, they will begin to deteriorate. On the positive side, they would be fully edible, especially if you sprinkled them with a touch of salt!

Has anyone tried any of the products mentioned above? Were they worth it?

Can you recommend any other brands of disposable, eco-friendly dishware on the market?

Are there any unusual ones out there that you're curious about -- please give everyone the heads up!

(For example, these Indian Leaf Plates -- made out of dried sal and siali leaves -- are joined together via threads or dried grass. They are commonly used during traditional Indian festivals and weddings. Pretty cool, huh?)