What are Palm Plates

Plastic is a dangerous problem for this environment as it can take decades to degrade and they have become a great treat for our marine animals. There has been a strong drive across the world to reduce plastic and develop alternatives to plates and paper plates to protect our environment. Australian packaging accord aims for 100% of packaging to be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025.

Palm Leaf Plates are the most eco-friendly disposable plates available today. These are also called palm plates or leaf plates, these plates are handcrafted from the naturally fallen leaf of the Areca Palm tree. Palm leaf plates do not change the taste of food and are therefore a good substitute for single-use plastics, 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.

How are the palm plates made?

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 fibre 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.