Every meal leaves a footprint—but is your dinnerware part of the problem?
Traditional plates and bowls often contain plastics, melamine, or lead-based glazes. These contribute to landfill waste and expose you to harmful toxins.
Eco-friendly dinnerware is a better option. It’s made from sustainable materials like bamboo or wood (melamine-free), steel, and responsibly sourced, lead-free glass and ceramics.
But not all “green” dinnerware is eco-friendly… Some brands use misleading labels. Others rely on toxic coatings or wasteful production methods. So, how can you find truly sustainable dinnerware?
This guide cuts through the greenwashing. We highlight nine ethical brands offering reusables and disposables – all prioritizing sustainability without sacrificing quality or function.
Keep reading to learn which materials to trust, which to avoid, and how to make the best choice for your home and the planet.
Medically fact-checked by Dr. Ahmad Alsayes, MBBS
What Dinnerware to Avoid: Brief Overview
1. Plastics
- Contributes to greenhouse gas emissions & ocean pollution.
- Leaches BPA or *BPS/ BPF (*in “BPA-free” plastics) – all disrupt hormones.
2. Melamine (Includes Most Bamboo)
- Contains formaldehyde-based resin, which releases toxins at high temperatures.
- Bamboo dinnerware often contains melamine, making it unsafe for hot foods & not biodegradable.
3. High-Risk Ceramics & Glass
- May contain lead that leaches into food or the environment if the glaze is worn or poorly made.
- Avoid secondhand or untested dishware with cracks, hand-painted designs, or raised decorations.
4. PFAS & PLAs in Disposable Dinnerware
- Paper plates may contain harmful, highly polluting PFAS chemicals.
- PLA “compostable” dishware (most of what’s labeled “eco-friendly” online) requires industrial facilities to break down. If not, it lingers in landfills. Only disposables made from untreated wood, bagasse, or palm leaf are truly biodegradable anywhere.
Towards the end, we’ll provide greater detail on these risks. You can jump there now, or, let’s keep rolling into what exactly makes dinnerware eco-friendly…
What to Look for in Truly Eco-Friendly Dinnerware: Sustainable Criteria
Or, keep reading for more details on these product and brand criteria:
1. Safe, Non-Toxic Materials:
The main priority of eco-friendly dinnerware is using non-toxic materials. These should not leak chemicals into your food or the environment when thrown away.
Choose lead-free ceramic, glass, stainless steel, melamine-free bamboo, untreated wood, palm leaf, or bagasse fiber.
- Caution when Buying Secondhand: Buy used ceramics or glass carefully. It’s best to get these new from credible, Prop 65-compliant brands. If buying secondhand and the brand or production date are unknown, ensure the ceramic and glass are free from tints, colorful markings, and damage.
2. Durable, Reusable, and Recyclable:
Choose long-lasting, reusable, and infinitely recyclable materials like glass and stainless steel over disposables. These can last for years, reducing the need for replacements, and don’t lose quality when recycled.
Ceramic is harder to recycle but still a good option, especially from the brands listed below.
- A Note on Disposables: If going the disposable route, avoid the gimmicky “bioplastics.” Pick natural, home-biodegradable options like melamine-free bamboo, wood, bagasse, or palm leaf. These break down quickly anywhere; this chart shows how fast:
3. Low-Waste Production and Sourcing:
Look for brands that use minimal, recyclable packaging and source locally to reduce environmental impact. Also, many of the below brands find innovative ways to reuse both waste materials and waste heat, for example, limiting production waste.
4. Use of Renewable Energy:
Support companies using solar, wind, or hydroelectric power.
5. Carbon Emissions Offsetting:
Choose brands offsetting their carbon footprint via reforestation or renewable energy credits.
6. Sustainability Certifications:
Ensure products are certified by trusted organizations to verify eco-friendly practices. Examples include FSC, Fair Trade, or B Corporation certifications.
Top 9 Truly Eco-friendly Dinnerware Brands (Reusable & Disposable)
These nine brands offer reusable and disposable eco-friendly plates, bowls, cutlery, and more. All meet the sustainability standards listed above.
Everything below is free from plastic, PFAS, lead, cadmium, melamine, and misleading disposable “bioplastics.” All brands focus on sustainability by using locally sourced or recycled materials, plastic-free packaging, reusing factory waste, and more.
Click the highlighted brand names below to jump ahead:
Reusable Dinnerware:
- Costa Nova (Recycled Ceramic)
- Bibol (Melamine-free Bamboo)
- Royal Doulton (Vegan Porcelain)
- Fiestaware (Partially-recycled Ceramic)
- Our Place (Ceramic)
- Public Goods (Vegan Porcelain)
Disposable/ Single-use Dinnerware:
- EarthClusive (Birchwood)
- Verterra (Palm Leaf)
- Premium Supplies Texas/ Etsy (Bagasse & Palm Leaf)
1. Costa Nova
Costa Nova, a Portugal-based brand, creates Eco-Gres™ – a 90% recycled ceramic. They do this by recycling their factory’s excess clay into brand new eco dishware—all under one roof—limiting transport emissions.
By using circular production, they reduce landfill waste and save resources. Their single-firing system uses up to 70% less energy than standard kiln methods, further cutting emissions. Yet, Eco-Gres is highly rugged and safe for the microwave, freezer, and oven.
You can choose from a simple yet modern color range – pure white or white with sharp gray details. All colors are 100% lead and cadmium-free and meet Prop 65 standards.
Other Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Uses solar power and waste-heat recycling for energy efficiency.
- Reuses wastewater in production.
- Uses nearly 100% plastic-free packaging.
2. Bibol
- Materials: 100% melamine-free bamboo
- Made in: Vietnam
- Available Products: Plates, bowls, trays, salad servers, and tumblers in nine styles
- Price Range: From $16 up to $100
- Available Direct
Bibol, based in Vietnam, crafts 100% melamine-free bamboo dinnerware using local bamboo trimmings.
They collect and bind these bamboo strips with natural cashew resin. Then, they shape and seal each piece by hand with an all-natural marble powder lacquer. The result is durable, chemical-free, biodegradable dinnerware.
Other Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Never expose workers (or the environment) to toxic chemicals or solvents.
- Uses local waste bamboo from native growing regions, meaning less travel and carbon emissions.
- Uses only biodegradable tableware materials, so no waste sits around in landfills.
- 100% carbon-neutral shipping.
- Donates 1% of proceeds to environmental nonprofits (via Made Trade).
3. Royal Doulton
Founded over 200 years ago in England, Royal Doulton now prioritizes sustainability. They craft extra-durable yet lightweight porcelain using fine clay, higher pressure, and hotter baking temperatures.
The result is thinner, denser, and more shatter-resistant dinnerware. It’s easier to hold and serve with and reduces waste by lasting longer.
All products meet FDA, Proposition 65, and CPSIA safety standards.
Other Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Produces items from 100% recycled materials.
- Runs a vintage service to resell or recycle old dinnerware.
- Cut landfill waste by 79% and greenhouse gas emissions by 44% since 2017.
- Uses recyclable FSC-certified paper and vegetable inks for packaging.
- Operates with solar energy, LED lighting, and reduced fossil fuel use.
4. Fiestaware
Since 1936, Fiestaware has made durable, colorful ceramic dinnerware in West Virginia, USA, reducing transport emissions for US customers.
Fiesta crafts its ceramic using clay, feldspar, silica, and alumina. It’s among the strongest ceramics on the market, with impressive chip and moisture resistance. It’s also safe for the freezer, dishwasher, microwave, and oven up to 500℉, offering versatility.
For sustainability, Fiestaware reuses its waste clay in the production process. So, every piece contains some recycled material.
Since 1992, all glazes have been 100% lead-free. Lab tests show that lead levels are actually 250x lower than FDA limits! Plus, each dish comes with a five-year warranty against chips.
Other Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Fiestware reroutes kiln waste heat to power other processes. The waste heat from just one kiln is equivalent to heating 1,000 homes’ worth of natural gas.
- Recycles 100 tons of steel, cardboard, and glass annually.
- Saves 500,000+ sheets of paper yearly via a paperless ordering system.
- Fiestaware’s water treatment process reclaims 1.2 million pounds of otherwise waste glaze.
- Recycles non-saleable (damaged) items into tabletops and countertops.
5. Our Place
Our Place focuses on sustainability in all its products. One example is my PFAS-free Always Pan (see our in-depth review here) . It uses recycled aluminum, and the brand offers a free recycling program to turn my old pan into a new one after it’s used up.
Their ceramic dinnerware is another great example. Made from natural clay without lead or other harmful materials, it’ll never leach into food or the environment.
But the key to Our Place’s sustainable dinnerware is in its durability—
Their restaurant-grade ceramics offer better chip and scratch resistance than most. It lasts longer without becoming unusable, and fewer replacements = lower impact.
Their dinnerware is also stylish, functional, and versatile, with several colors available. It’s microwave, fridge/ freezer, and oven-safe (up to 350°F), but use caution to avoid temperature shock. I especially love the oversized rims, which prevent spillover from juicy foods.
Other Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Our Place manufactures their cookware with 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum.
- Packaging is 100% plastic-free and biodegradable without needing a shipper box, saving materials.
- Uses recycled glass and natural sand for a portion of their glassware.
- Donates to Feeding America, to whom they’ve donated over 200,000 meals to fight hunger during COVID-19.
- Donates 10% of profits to the Rare Impact Fund.
6. Public Goods
Public Goods offers a wide range of essential, day-to-day products. Many brands do, but Public Goods (like Our Place) puts sustainability at its foundation. If the materials they use aren’t ethically sourced, non-toxic, and cruelty-free, they don’t touch it.
Their dinnerware is one great example. It’s hand-crafted using durable, hotel-grade porcelain, ensuring longevity and reducing the need for replacements. Each piece is Prop 65 compliant and lead-free, too.
Like Fiestaware, they use cogeneration technology to recycle kiln heat for other processes. Low-impact and eco-friendly, check, but also versatile and practical…
Each dish is safe for the oven (up to 350°F), microwave, dishwasher, and freezer, with a lipped design to contain juices. Lastly, although their dishware is only available in white, this is the safest color. It helps avoid metal leaching from colored glazes when worn—
- For more detail on the absolute safest dishware, explore our Guide to the Safest Dinnerware Materials & Brands.
Other Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Repurposes heat from the kiln area to fuel other processes to reduce energy consumption. Examples include powering the office’s AC and drying wet clay before baking.
- Uses ethically sourced, non-toxic, cruelty-free, and vegan materials.
- Plants a tree for every order.
- Donates excess products to local food banks to support those in need.
- Ships using innovative, protective packaging free from styrofoam, bubble wrap, and other plastics.
7. EarthClusive
- Materials: 100% natural birchwood
- Made in: China
- Available Products: Disposable forks, knives, and spoons
- Price Range: Starts at $25 for a set
- Available at Amazon
EarthClusive is a US-based brand that makes truly biodegradable disposable tableware. Unlike most “eco-friendly” options, EarthClusive doesn’t need special processing.
They use 100% natural, FSC-certified birchwood to shape each utensil. You can toss them in the trash, knowing they’ll break down within 3 months without leaving chemicals behind.
I’ve also found birchwood utensils handle heavy or wet foods without splintering better than beechwood. You can even cut steak with these without them bending or snapping like plastic utensils!
Other Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Ethically sourced from well-managed, FSC-certified forests that are responsibly replanted.
- Uses 100% plastic-free, compostable packaging (cardboard and paper).
- Plants one tree for each set sold to offset shipping and production carbon emissions.
- Feeds one American in need for every purchase.
For more on truly eco-friendly disposables, explore our Ultimate Home-Biodegradable Utensil Guide
8. Verterra
Verterra is a great option for large events that need disposable dinnerware. Their plates and bowls are made from 100% naturally-fallen palm leaves. These leaves are collected, cleaned, and heat-pressed—without dyes, melamine, PFAS, waxes, or additives.
As a result, they fully biodegrade in 6–8 weeks in home compost bins, with no need for special processing. Or, if you throw them in the trash, they won’t stay around for decades or harm wildlife. Verterra is actually eco-friendly.
Beyond sustainability, I’ve found that palm leaf dinnerware is stronger than paper plates. It holds full meals with minimal bending, even without doubling up.
Each piece is unique and versatile, too: No two dishes are identical, and they’re microwave-safe for 2 minutes and oven-safe up to 350℉ for 45 minutes.
Other Eco-Friendly Practices:
- BPI-certified compostable and biodegradable.
- Uses minimal packaging. Although it’s plastic (unfortunately), they use less of it than other brands I’ve seen.
- A sturdy, reusable design offers more use from each plate, helping offset the higher price point vs cheap paper plates.
9. Premium Supplies Texas (Etsy)
- Materials: 100% natural bagasse or palm leaf
- Made in: Texas, USA
- Available Products: Disposable plates, bowls, and drinkware
- Price Range: Starts at $25 for a set
- Available at Etsy
Thrift stores are a great way to find eco-friendly dinnerware. They help give used pieces new life, reducing waste and emissions. But not everyone has access to good secondhand finds…
That’s where Etsy comes in! It connects buyers with ethical sellers who offer sustainable dinnerware. To help with shipping pollution, Etsy offsets 100% of its carbon emissions, making shopping guilt-free.
Now, when buying used dinnerware on Etsy, avoid old, worn, or tinted glass and ceramics unless used for display. Stick to collections from credible, lead-free brands in good condition for food use.
Or, buy new! Etsy offers new sustainable dinnerware from many small, family-owned businesses. One hidden gem is Premium Supplies Texas, which makes biodegradable dinnerware in the USA. They use 100% organic bagasse and palm leaf—both natural waste byproducts.
PST’s dinnerware is fully compostable and can break down anywhere—even faster than birchwood (in as little as 4 weeks)!
Other Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Etsy offers unique, ethical products from passionate collectors nationwide.
- Etsy sponsors projects that protect forests, build solar farms, and develop greener methods for auto production.
- Etsy offsets 100% of their carbon emissions from operations.
- Premium Supply Texas produces dinnerware in the US, limiting transport emissions.
- PST also uses fully recyclable packaging. Biolefin, used for various items, is a 100% biodegradable shrink wrap.
Materials to Avoid in Eco-Friendly Dishware: A Deeper Look
1. Plastics:
Avoid plastic dinnerware entirely. Its production releases 850 million tons of greenhouse gases annually (WWF), fueling climate change.
Most plastic pollutes oceans, taking centuries to break down. Once there, it harms wildlife through entanglement or starvation. Prochlorococcus—bacteria producing 10% of the world’s oxygen—is also at risk.
Plastic also impacts you directly. Chemicals like BPA leak into food when heated (for example, microwaving leftovers). These chemicals can disrupt hormones and cause various health issues, such as certain types of cancer, diabetes, reproductive problems, and even neurological and developmental problems in kids.
Even “BPA-free” alternatives, like BPS or BPF, present similar health risks. So, avoid it altogether!
2. Melamine (includes most bamboo):
Avoid melamine dinnerware, whether plastic or bamboo-based:
- Melamine Plastic: Made with formaldehyde resin, the FDA found it can leach toxins into food above 160°F, so it’s not microwave-safe. Studies link melamine exposure to kidney toxicity and appetite loss. It also pollutes waterways, disrupting marine life.
- Melamine Bamboo: Often contains melamine-formaldehyde resin as a binder, despite being marketed as eco-friendly. Melamine-free bamboo options are rare but available (e.g., Bibol).
Now, melamine is safe at room temperature (i.e., serving snacks). But you still have the environmental challenges. And once you introduce heat and acids, its safety declines.
3. High-Risk Ceramics & Glass:
When buying ceramic or glass dinnerware (mainly secondhand), make sure it’s lead-free.
Some manufacturers use lead to seal ceramic glazes. Safe, when done correctly. But, improper production (or damaged glaze) can cause lead to leach, especially when microwaved or used with acidic foods.
That’s why avoiding ceramics from untested or unknown brands is crucial. Always look for third-party safety certifications, like FDA or Prop 65 compliance.
Red flags of high-risk ceramics and glass to avoid:
- Old, cracked ceramic glaze (crazing)
- Handmade or irregularly shaped dishware
- Unknown manufacturers or production dates
- Glass with brightly colored designs or volume markings (may contain lead or cadmium)
For more on high-risk ceramics, explore our Actionable Guide to Identifying Lead in Dishes
4. PFAS & PLAs in Disposable Dinnerware:
Standard paper plates and many “compostable” dishware options aren’t as eco-friendly as they seem:
- Paper Plates: Some are coated with PFAS to resist moisture. Studies show that PFAS can leak into food even at low temperatures. They can build up in the body and may cause cancer at high levels. These “Forever Chemicals” also stay in the environment, harming wildlife.
- “Compostable” PLA Dinnerware: Many “compostable” items made from cornstarch (PLA or CPLA) are misleading. They only break down in industrial composting plants under specific conditions, but hang around far longer in regular environments. While absolutely safer than plastic, they still pose similar risks to wildlife. The best options are those that degrade naturally anywhere, like melamine-free wood or palm leaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials are considered eco-friendly for dinnerware?
Eco-friendly dinnerware is non-toxic, sustainable, and either reusable or compostable. The best materials include:
- Lead-free ceramic & glass – Durable, non-toxic, and infinitely recyclable. Check for FDA or Prop 65 compliance.
- Stainless steel – Long-lasting, 100% recyclable, and free from harmful coatings.
- Melamine-free bamboo – Biodegradable if free from synthetic binders. Look for FSC certifications.
- Wood (e.g., acacia, birch) – Sustainably sourced, biodegradable, and free from synthetic coatings.
- Palm leaf & sugarcane bagasse – Compostable disposable options that break down naturally.
How can you tell if bamboo contains melamine?
- Check the material list: Look in the product description. While good things, terms like “BPA-free” or “Phthalate-free” don’t confirm if melamine is present.
- Look for “melamine” in the description: Phrases like “food-grade melamine binder” or “food-safe melamine” indicate its presence. If it doesn’t say “melamine-free,” avoid it.
- Use a shortcut: Press CTRL+F (Command+F on Mac) and type “melamine” into the search bar to quickly find mentions on a webpage. Go ahead and try it on this page!
💡 Tip: Melamine bamboo dishware is often brightly colored and labeled “dishwasher-safe.”
For more on this topic, check out our Melamine-Free Bamboo Dinnerware Guide.
Are eco-friendly dinnerware options microwave- and dishwasher-safe?
It depends on the material. Lead-free glass, stainless steel, and some ceramics are usually safe for both. But bamboo, wood, and many biodegradable options should be hand-washed and kept out of the microwave to prevent swelling or cracking. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines, as some “eco-friendly” materials can break down with heat or moisture.
What’s the most affordable way to switch to sustainable dinnerware?
- The most budget-friendly option: Buy secondhand from thrift stores or online marketplaces like Etsy, which offset carbon emissions. This cuts waste and avoids the impact of new production.
- A free option: Repurpose items, such as using glass sauce jars as bowls, for example.
Focus on durable materials to reduce replacements. For example, stainless steel cutlery from a thrift store is affordable and long-lasting.
Recap & Conclusion
Sustainable dinnerware helps reduce waste, avoid harmful chemicals, and support ethical brands. Here’s a quick recap of the main takeaways:
What to Avoid:
- Plastics – Harmful chemicals and ocean pollution.
- Melamine – Releases toxins when heated and cannot be recycled.
- Risky Ceramics & Glass – Lead contamination risks.
- PFAS & PLA Disposables – “Forever chemicals” and non-compostable.
What to Look For:
- Non-toxic materials – Lead-free ceramics, stainless steel, untreated wood, melamine-free bamboo.
- Durability & recyclability – Reusable over disposable.
- Truly biodegradable options – Compostable materials like palm leaf or bagasse.
- Sustainable practices – Eco-friendly packaging, renewable energy use.
The brands above offer some of the best eco-friendly dinnerware options that align with these values—making sustainable dining easy. Do you have any questions about these materials and brands? Shoot us an email!
P.S. Your dish soap choice is equally essential to dinnerware; those blue liquids on store shelves can be equally harmful to the environment. So, check out our Zero-Waste Dish Soap Guide, where we cover three effective and sustainable DIY soap recipes!
Hi there! I'm Adam, author and founder of TGL. Since 2016, I've produced and sold non-toxic kitchenware throughout the US. Today, I'm using my passion and experience in sustainable product manufacturing to help families avoid unsafe reusable foodware. When I'm not writing, you'll find me hiking or camping throughout Appalachia!
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