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Palm Leaf Plates are the most eco-friendly disposable plates available today. Also known as palm plates or leaf plates, these plates are hand crafted from the naturally fallen leaf of the Areca Palm tree. They are durable and elegant and can be used for weddings, parties, business events, or even a simple gathering at home.
What makes them so versatile is their sleek design and the sustainable material they are made from. Palm leaf plates have a natural pattern that often makes people mistake them for high-end wooden plates. They have a soft, smooth texture and each plate has a unique design because the design is the unique pattern that belonged to the leaf it was made from.
If you're interested in purchasing palm leaf plates, Chic Leaf has a complete line of palm plates, palm leaf bowls, and palm leaf tray available for sale on their website. The plates come in 6”, 7”, 8”, and 10” dinner plate sizes, in both square and round shapes, as well as a number of round and square palm leaf bowls.
In this post, we'll talk about the following:
- How palm leaf plates are made
- Why palm leaf plates are great to use at weddings
- Why using Plastic Plates is not a good idea
Palm leaf plates are made from Areca Palm tree leaves found in forests in India that have fallen naturally on their own. Palm leaf farmers do not cut the trees or take palm leaves or sheaths off the tree. The process is sustainable because it does not contribute to timbering or deforestation, and does not harm the living palm trees. These palm leaves would have otherwise been collected, burned, and disposed of, so repurposing them helps the environment. The process of collecting leaves also encourages the growth of more palm trees. Areca palms have a look that some say is similar to bamboo, they’re beautiful trees found in subtropical climates that can reach up to 20 feet in height.
The collected palm sheaths are sanitized with turmeric and water, and left to air dry. Once dry, artisans form the sheaths into plates and bowls using heated molds. They maximize the number of plates per leaf, and several can be made from just one sheath. Zero chemicals or toxins are used to bind or coat the plates, unlike other eco-friendly plates such as disposable bamboo plates. This is thanks to the entire sheath being used, rather than reducing it to a fiber or sawdust like with bamboo or wooden plates.
Best of all, they are 100% compostable, biodegradable, and sustainable. This means the plates will always break down on their own, leaving virtually no waste behind. They’re all-natural and carbon-rich, and can easily be composted and transformed into nutritious soil. Not only is the product itself sustainable, so is the process behind it. No trees are cut down or harmed, no pollutants or toxins are released, and very little energy is needed to produce them.
Weddings and large events are hard on the environment, and can be extremely wasteful, unfortunately. While climate change probably isn’t your top priority when planning a wedding, having an eco-friendly wedding has become very trendy. Palm leaf plates are ideal for eco-friendly weddings, and are becoming a popular, affordable option.
While there have always been some eco-friendly tableware options, they haven’t always looked the best. From bleached white paper plates to hospital-like trays, chances are these eco-friendly plates would diminish the elegance of your event.
The reason why palm leaf plates are perfect for weddings and events is that while they are disposable party plates, they have an elegant and stylish look which works well in both formal and casual settings. Their wood-grain finish goes well with any table setting or centerpiece, and serves as a great conversation starter. They have a high-end look and feel, and on top of that are remarkably durable.
Wedding caterers often serve heavy, dense, greasy foods. That means you’ll need a plate that’s up to the challenge. Palm leaf plates don’t splinter, wilt, or flop with heavy foods. You can use a steak knife without cutting right through it, and they can even be microwaved without losing their shape.
Real tableware may be a tempting option for weddings and events, especially since venues and caterers are eager to rent them out. However, given the current state of the world and a heightened concern for infection and germs, single-use plates will put guests at ease. Using real dinnerware is trusting that the person who washed those dishes and cutlery did so properly, and the last thing you want is a guest finding crusty, old food on their plate. You don’t want to take the risk of spreading germs, or viruses for that matter, at your event. Palm plates are completely sanitary, all-natural, and have zero chemicals or toxins added. Then when you’re finished, they can be disposed of guilt-free, and will degrade naturally.
Convenience is the driving factor for single-use plastics. They’re easy to buy, easy to use, and easy to dispose of. Take plates for example, after a long day of work and then coming home to make dinner, the last thing you want to worry about is doing the dishes. It adds stress, takes time, and wastes water. With plastic plates though, you can easily sweep them into the garbage and be done; it’s quick and hassle-free.
This is a misconception, however. What’s no longer a hassle for you, becomes a hassle for the landfills that are overflowing with waste. As you might imagine, single-use plastics are reeking havoc on our environment, totaling 150 million tons every year, worldwide.
Plastic pollution has significantly impacted every ecosystem on earth, and contributed to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. From the moment plastic is produced to the moment it’s dumped in the landfill, it is harming the environment. Likewise, the oil that is used to make plastic is extremely detrimental. From drilling to refining the crude oil into plastic, these industries produce insane amounts of pollution, and are among the top contributors of greenhouse gases.
We are not helpless to plastic pollution and climate change, however. Several states have taken a stand against it by implementing single-use plastic bans. California was the first state in 2014 to ban all single-use plastic bags at stores, and charge 10 cents for paper bags. New York followed suit in 2019 by banning plastic bags and charging a small fee for paper bags. Since then, five other states (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Oregon, and Vermont) have enacted similar plastic bans, and even single-use straws and containers.
More and more consumers are concerned about climate change and the carbon footprint they leave behind. Everything we buy and use in one way or another affects the earth, so it’s important to be mindful of the disposables we use.
Palm leaf plates are an incredible example of not having to sacrifice convenience for sustainability. You can use and dispose of palm leaf plates without worrying about the waste it’ll leave behind, because in only a few months time it will have decomposed entirely. Palm leaf plates are perfect for upscale weddings or everyday use around the house, and best of all you’ll be doing your part to help the environment.
