“Everyone at the potluck loved them, the sizes were good, colour was more attractive than the paper white we are used to, and the firmness of the plates was the #1 comment. Everyone couldn’t believe how stable the plates were and that there was no liquid seepage at all. One person even went so far as to rinse/dry his plate when he went back for desserts.”
The future of green cuisine is planting your plates. That's the vision of 25 year old eco-entrepreneur Alex Casewa, who believes composting china is the next big trend. Earthen eco-friendly dinnerware is made from dried palm leaves from India's areca or betel nut tree. Each plate, bowl and tray has a unique patina, but they're cheap and meant to be chucked.
Now that you have your organic beverages and barbecue fare all lined for your Canada Day gathering, one niggling issue needs addressing: paper, plastic or papyrus?
Too pretty to throw away" is how many people describe the growing number of disposable products made from such materials as discarded palm leaves. While often sold and recommended for single use, their visual appeal often inspires people to keep them around for as long as possible.
Made of naturally tan-coloured pressed palm leaves, Earthen Disposable Dinnerware plates look straight off the set of Gilligan's Island. Not only do they add style to a picnic, they're biodegradable, unbleached, and compostable, besides being strong. Malaspina University - College business-school grad Alex Casewa came up with the idea for a class project. Originally from India, he knew that fallen palm leaves were going to waste, and put the resource to good use with these plates. You can find them at MarketPlace IGA stores, where 12 plates measuring 22 centimeters in diameter go for $6.99.
While the last may seem a little farfetched, a trip to your neighborhood grocery store, let alone an eco-oriented mega destination like Whole Foods, will demonstrate that there is no shortage of disposable party paraphernalia catering to the conscientious consumer.
From paper plates made with recycled-content to a growing array of cleverly conceived alternates, including edible tableware, finding a platter that best accommodates your palate is becoming increasingly easier.
Alex (Mrinal) Casewa developed a new business idea while completing his degree at VIU. He now imports and sells a product called Earthens, bio-‐degradable dinnerware made from fallen palm leaves from India.
Meet Alex (Mrinal) Casewa. He represents a new breed of business leaders.
A recent graduate of Vancouver Island University’s Bachelor of Business Administration program (BBA) Casewa is making a name for himself importing and selling a new biodegradable product called Earthens.
The environmentally friendly product consists of dinner plates and bowls of various sizes made with fallen palm leaves from India.
Suzanne Corrin, co-founder Green Planet Parties discovered an amazing new product in the exciting world of Eco-friendly tableware. A new line of plates and bowls made from the abundant palm leaf tree is the latest trend and the story behind the ‘chain of custody’ from this product is also very special. Thank you Suzanne for the article. Take a peek at this picture and read on…