What are palm leaf plates?
Palm leaf plates are made from the fallen leaves of Areca palm trees. These trees are found mainly in tropical regions of the Pacific, Asia and parts of East Africa.
Our palm plates are manufactured in India from a variety commonly known as betel nut tree or Indian nut tree. The trees are normally grown in large plantations for their edible nut and other useful by-products.
How are biodegradable palm leaf plates made?
As part of its natural growth cycle, the Areca palm tree sheds its dried fronds five to six times a year. The fallen leaves appear as yellow-brown sheaths, thick and bark-like.
Local farmers collect the sheaths. These are trimmed to remove the leaves and then stacked in piles, before being sent to a manufacturing plant. The manufacturer cleans the sheaths with fresh water. While they are still damp, the sheaths are then moulded into various forms.
Heated plates are used to compress the sheaths while moulding. The temperature used is higher for larger products. The finished product is dried in sunlight to remove residual moisture. The plates are then cleaned and packed into boxes, ready for shipping to retailers.
Why do palm plates make perfect dinnerware?
Sustainable and environmentally friendly
No deforestation is involved in harvesting Areca palm fronds. In producing palm plates and bowls, an agricultural waste product is turned into an item of value and use.
The plates are 100% natural and organic. No chemicals or artificial ingredients used at any time during the manufacturing process.
Palm leaf products are also biodegradable. Home composting is easy: the plates naturally decompose in 2–3 months, leaving nothing but rich nutrients in the soil.
Palm tableware is sturdy and suitable for all food types
The wood-like sheaths and heat press moulding technique used during manufacture ensure the plates are strong and resilient.
All types of foods can be served: hot, cold, dry, wet, or sticky. Unlike plastic plates, they do not bend when loaded nor absorb moisture. They can also be used to reheat food in the microwave or store leftovers in a refrigerator.
If used to hold dry foods, palm plates and bowls can be wiped clean and reused instead of being thrown away.
Suitable for parties or home use
Be it a wedding, corporate event or a backyard barbecue, palm plates are a sensible option. Our disposable plates come in multiple sizes and are available in square and round shapes. All product sizes are clearly stated on packaging.
We also supply disposable trays, perfect for sharing platters, desserts or simply to display food. Multiple quantities are available to cater for parties of varying sizes. Our smallest pack contains six pieces.
One-stop shop for eco-friendly party supplies
Our thoughtfully crafted palm leaf tableware combo packs come with two sizes of plate for main and side courses. They also contain wooden cutlery, including forks, spoons, and knives. Multiple quantities can be provided for parties of all sizes.
We also supply eco-friendly disposable bowls, biodegradable wooden cutlery sets and 100% natural, organic and gluten-free wheat straws.
If you would like to know more about our product range, for wholesale and custom orders, please get in touch.