Review and Giveaway: Disposable Plates From Fallen Leaves
If we learned anything in 2009, it was that there is a demand for truly eco-friendly products- and it is growing fast.
Now, I’m not talking about products that just change one ingredient or claim to use more recycled content and then slap on a big fat “look at me I’m green” sticker. I’m talking about products that really demonstrate out of the box thinking and the use of materials that only a few short years ago we probably tossed into the trash without a second thought.
The creative folks over at Leafware are just those kind of innovators.
Challenged by the excessive waste that results from the throw-away nature of traditional disposable serving ware, the founders of Leafware were dedicated to finding a way to mimic the more ecologically sensitive practices of ancient communities in South Asia & South-East Asia that have been using leaves of specific trees and vines, to make their own ‘disposable’, ‘degradable’ plates and bowls.
The result of their creativity is the complete line of Leafware products- plates, bowls, gifts, and party supplies that are made from naturally shed palm leaves.
According to the Leafware website, these leaves are collected, pressure washed, scrubbed, sun dried, compressed and then sterilized to produce an eco-friendly 100 % biodegradable & compostable form of dinnerware.
Now, I always like to emphasize that there is no “away” into which to throw things, and that in general, we need to move away from thinking that “disposable-ness” is an acceptable mindset. However, there is nothing attractive about the idea of lugging breakable plates and heavy silverware into the wilderness on a hiking trip, or down to the local park for a picnic.
Leafware is a great alternative in these situations, because it is light, durable, and if you have to leave it out in the woods, you can feel confident in the fact that it will quickly break down and biodegrade when exposed to the natural elements.
If you just don’t feel like doing dishes (and I often don’t) Leafware is a great option to have stashed away in your cabinets. It can stand up to salad dressings and hot sauces sauces, although I wouldn’t try to serve up soup or steak, or anything else that might compromise the strength of the dishes. Then, simply rinse them off and toss them in the compost bin for a quick clean up.
WIN YOUR OWN SET OF LEAFWARE!
Leafware has generously offered to give one lucky EcoSpheric reader some Leafware plates, bowls and other serving ware to try out for themselves!
**Note: Please leave your Twitter Username or Email address on your entry so that you can be contacted if you win.
To Enter: First Entry (required) – Visit the Leafware Website and leave a comment on this blog post telling which product you’d most like to try.
Second Entry – Follow @ecosphericblog on Twitter (or let me know you’re already a follower) and Tweet about this giveaway. Leave a separate comment on this blog post with your a link to the tweet.
Third Entry – Become a follower of The EcoSpheric Blog (see lower left column) and leave a comment on this post telling me you followed.
Bonus for Two Extra Entries – Post this Giveaway on your blog or website and leave a comment on this blog post with the link to your post.
This giveaway will end on Tuesday, January 12th at 12 pm Mountain Time.
What a great idea. I love the look of the plates as well. They actually look quite nice.
An you are right, these would be perfect for a picnic or even a 4th of July get-together, etc. I particularly like the hexagonal plates…very cool!
Plates from leaves, what WILL they think of next? I love it!
Great Post Beth! The product is awesome too, i like the idea of being able to picnic without bulky tupperware but also the idea of using eco friendly disposable dishes…
Keep up the good work! cheers!
I really love the square plates. This is probably the best-looking disposable stuff out there!
Oh yeah, and I would love the heart shapped plates.. especially since valentines day is coming up
too cute!
Boy, it's hard to decide. The heart plates would probably edge out the square plates because my mom was born on Valentines Day and we could use them at her birthday party.
Ah! what an excellent product. I love those Heart Shape plates. They are soo cute. I'll buy them for valentine day …
I couldn't resist to see these plates from leaves..
I love these plates, I bought some square & round plates, using them when I go on camping and picnics. These are prefect alternative for any disposables out there…
I would love to try their Bowl, liquidy soups, I'd love to see how the materials hold out against it.
Anna
perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com
I would really like to try the 7" Hexagonal snack plates
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I follow on twitter @sgrant2005 and tweet:
http://twitter.com/sgrant2005/status/7685936732
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I blogged #1:
http://thegrantsgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/01/ecospheric-blog-leafware-compostable.html
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I blogged #2:
http://thegrantsgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/01/ecospheric-blog-leafware-compostable.html
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The trays would be nice to try, b/c usually trays are too big to fit into the dishwasher, so these could just be composted.
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