Summer time is here! That means lots of picnics, bar-b-ques, graduation parties, and other social events with good food that’s often served on wasteful paper plates and eaten with plastic flatware. But did you know there’s a stylish and green alternative for serving food at summer festivities? It’s Leafware sustainable dinnerware, servingware, and flatware. So when Paperless Kitchen, an online store specializing in eco-friendly kitchen goods and green alternatives to paper products, contacted me and asked if I’d like to do a review and give away a free product for my readers, I couldn’t resist!
I discovered that Leafware products are made from earth friendly materials that are fully biodegradable, so they can be tossed into the compost bin when you are done with them! Plus, Leafware is not only great for food, but I realized it had many other uses as well, such as being a chic, green tray for holding jewelry. Also, because these earthy plates come in so many sizes and shapes, they really do make a beautiful addition to your decor. They are extremely environmentally friendly and effective. Read on for more details.
Also, don’t forget to enter to win a free Leafware set! Find out how to below.
Product Details
- Type: Single-use Dinnerware, Flatware, & Serving Dishes
- Item: Leafware Sample Pack
- Contents: One set of flatware for two (two each of the following: 7″ forks, spoons, and knives, and 4″ tasting spoons), one set of dinnerware for two (two each of the following: 10″ dinner plates, 9″ lunch plates, 7″ salad plates, 5″ dessert plates, 3.5″ single bite plates, 7″ round bowls, 5″ deep square bowls) and two 9 x 6″ serving trays
- Cost: $20
- Available From: Paperless Kitchen
Pros
- Company Transparency: Materials are on the product packaging and the manufacturing process is on the Leafware website and product brochure
- Effectiveness: Safe for liquids and leak-proof; heat safe; freezer safe
- Environmental Friendliness: Dinnerware made from naturally shed palm leaves; flatware made from sustainable birch wood; biodegradable; compostable
- Other uses: Jewelry tray, toiletry tray, guest soap dish, potpourri holder, fruit bowl
- Safety: Palm material is sterilized before being formed into dinnerware and servingware; birch flatware is free of glues and dyes; non-toxic
- Sizes: Multiple sizes and packages available
- Sustainably produced: Sustainably made providing a source of income for many families in small communities of South Asia
Con
- Price: A little more expensive than paper or plastic
Effectiveness The manufacturer notes that the plates, bowls, and platters are liquid and temperature-resistant, so to test them I filled a few bowls with very hot water and let them sit for several minutes. They held up extremely well. They were sturdy and held their shape and there was no leakage at all. So, they seemed much better than most heavy-duty paper plates, which often get saturated and soggy. And because they could tolerate heat, they were better than plastic, too! By the way, I didn’t have a set of the birch wood flatware to test, so I can’t comment on how well those work.
Final Thoughts I absolutely loved this green Leafware dinnerware and could definitely see using it for several occasions, such as a romantic picnic for two or a large social gathering where washing plates isn’t an option. Being eco-friendly, fashionable, safe, and very versatile, they are really special in more ways than one! So, I highly recommend giving Leafware a try the next time you need disposable dinnerware and flatware.
HOW TO ENTER THE LEAFWARE PRODUCT GIVEAWAY
To enter the Leafware Give-Away for a free sample set (service for two) from PaperlessKitchen.com, please use the form below. Multiple entries can be earned by leaving a comment on this post, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter. (Note: The prize may be shipped anywhere in the U.S.A., so U.S. entrants only please.)
Social shares are always welcome! So please help spread the word about this giveaway, which starts at midnight on June 21 and ends July 16, 2014 at 12am PST. Thanks and good luck!
Disclosure: Leafware review sample provided by Paperless Kitchen.
Copyright © Karen Peltier and Well Gal, 2014. All rights reserved.
Photos © Leafware, Courtesy of PaperlessKitchen.com
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experience. It really helps as I wish to purchase plates for a bbq and cringe that I will have to throw away about 200 pieces of paper for disposal that will probably take forever to disintegrate.
I have a concern though for the plates. Do the rims of the plates splinter as the party will include many children. The adults can manage, but I am bit concerned about the children.
Thank you.
Hi Sihaam.
With the sample pack that I tested, I used some of the plates and bowls for wet and dry foods and didn’t experience any issues with splintering of any kind. So, I think they should be good for adults and children alike. If, however, for some reason you experience otherwise; always please feel free to leave another comment.
Have a great bbq party!
Karen
What a stylish way to be green and reasonably priced too. I wish they were available in Australia.
Hi Sue. Thanks for your comment and sorry to hear that the Leafware plates aren’t available in Australia. If you notice similar products available where you live, feel free to let me know. I’m sure other readers who don’t live in the US or Canada would be interested.
Hello Karen, What a great thing, earth-friendly dishes! You did a great job here with the review too, Yes I wioud certainly spend a little more for a picnic and use this Leafware..
Thanks for sharing.. Chery :))
These sound great! I would love to have a cookout without feeling guilty about the paper plates (or having a mountain of dishes to wash).
Hi Stacie. Thanks for your comment. Yes, they are guilt-free and would be great for a summer cookout!
I think it’s a great idea, earth-friendly and very pretty!
I hate washing dishes….These would be great the entertaining, especially in the summertime.
Oh goodness, are those not the most beautiful disposable plates ever?! What a great review too. We have days where we have no desire to get plates or silverware dirty, but we are NOT a fan of products that cannot be recycled. These would be perfect.
Hey Karen, this is pretty interesting. Leafware is totally biodegradable AND attractive!
I love the idea of eating off of palm leaves 🙂 I love using “castoffs” for functional use.
That’s why I buy my dogs moose antlers. The moose (I don’t know if more than one moose is “meese”? lol) will crash its antlers into trees and rocks as a sort of ongoing process to keep them trimmed, much like people clip their nails. It makes a great dog chewing treat because it’s hard and doesn’t chip or splinter.
Thanks for the heads up on this cool dishware.
Hello. I appreciate you doingxthis review on how wonderful and environmentally responsible these are over conventional disposables. I would like to expand on the uses listed. I make all natural, healthy, environmentally responsible bath and body products that include at home, luxury spa treatments, family care and even dog shampoo. I was determined to use plastic free, minimal packaging. Almost all my packaging is biodegradable and compostable. I have used the palm leaf plates as the bottoms for Gift Sets to make carrying easy and they look very Green. I have used Birchware spoons packaged in my Therapeutic Sea Salt Bath Soaks as “scoop” to help use proper amount so that product is correctly measured. (2 scoops or less per bath). If you are prepared to invest a little time, with some imagination there is a growing number of quality, versatile sustainable products that can replace a larger number of products than we realize.
Good post Karen! I liked the thought of making products that don’t disrupt the environment. Not only that judging by the products images, they surely look classy and innovative in design!
These would be really fun to use!
I like that they are environmentally friendly!
I love my bamboo flatware and plates; I took them to the last picnic I attended. These look even more beautiful. That’s what we need; sustainable beauty! Health and peace.
Well I for one am impressed Karen. This is the first time I’ve come across a product like this that was not only functional but attractive! Great review and I am definitely going to follow the link to take a closer look. I live on an Island so summer is year round for us and this would come in real handy!
Hi Marquita.
Thanks for stopping by. Leafware dinnerware would fit right into “island living.” Being made of palm leaves, they are very beautiful and earthy. I also like the fact they are compostable.
Karen
I’ve been wanting to buy a set of bamboo flatware to carry with me, and these might work. Would love to try them.
Hello Adair.
Thanks for your comment. Leafware dinnerware is not made of bamboo, but from fallen palm leaves. And the flatware is made from sustainable birch wood. So, they are a little different looking than bamboo products, but of course, just as eco-friendly!
Karen
Karen,
Thank you for sharing. Leafware has many uses and I love the fact that it is made from biodegradable materials. It may be a bit more expensive than paper or plastic but the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I will definitely do a bit more research on this awesome product. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Nathaniel.
Yes, the one drawback about them is that they are definitely a little pricier than paper or plastic. But they are very attractive and eco-friendly, so perhaps they’d be great to try for a special occasion where washing regular plates and silverware isn’t an option.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. And feel free to enter the giveaway as your comment already qualifies you!
Karen
Karen, Not only is this product environmentally friendly, but it looks great too! I totally agree that the bowls have plenty of other uses. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks for your comment Food Curator.
Yes, they are definitely attractive looking!
By the way, if you get a chance to serve some of your delicious dishes on Leafware, let me know how you like them and feel free to send in some pics!
Karen