Part of the reason our planet is in the predicament it’s in is that so many people have a “disposable” mindset. As a society, we believe that a product’s value is determined by its suitability, no matter how or where it was made or where it will eventually end up once it’s not useful anymore. When it comes to eco-friendly products and companies, Verterra pretty much takes the cake.
Their environmentally friendly plates, bowls and serving dishes are made only from two products: fallen leaves and water. They’re non-toxic, biodegradable, compostable, durable, lightweight and convenient.
It starts by collecting fallen leaves from plantations—no trees are ever cut down to make their dinnerware. The leaves are then brought to their factory, where they are sprayed with high-pressure water, steamed and UV sterilized. Over 80% of the water used is recaptured and reused, and their entire manufacturing process uses just 10% of the energy used in recycling.
VerTerra products are made in South Asia, where they have created tons of fair-wage jobs. Their craftspeople work in conditions compliant with international standards and earn a steady income well above the average rate to support their families. Verterra provides there craftspeople with work experiences that teach them new skills, giving them the economic means to significantly better their lives, while preserving the environment.
Their dinnerware allows consumers the opportunity to cut waste by reusing their dishes, bowls and platters 10 or more times before disposal. Another bonus is that since their dishware is 100% biodegradable you can compost (or bury) them; growing special plants in commemoration of the wedding or holiday event they were used for. The plates will naturally biodegrade within two months.
Verterra stays true to the earth by using an agricultural byproduct – fallen leaves – that they borrow (and frequently save from being burned)—and then return to the earth. Verterra allows you to imbue unmatched uniqueness into your party planning while being a representative for Mother Earth. All these criteria most definitely make Verterra ultra green.
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Paul Smith 11.23.09 at 8:15 pm
Thanks much for the useful review of our products, you’ve hit it on the head here: Our desire is to provide plates equally at home at a fancy holiday event, as well as summer picnics, or just dinner tonight. We’ve worked hard to drive the price down, the strength up, and the sustainability further. We’re proud of how far it’s come, and continue striving to improve on all of these fronts.
We especially wanted to make sure it was widely available, convenient for you to get anywhere in the US. At 400 stores and counting, we’re either down the street or online, wherever you are. Half of Whole Foods now carry Verterra. Go on the Store Locator link on the top right of http://www.verterra.com to find out where we’re carried, but even that doesn’t have them all. Check at your local store, and if they don’t have it, we’d be happy to talk to them about considering it.
If anybody has any questions about Verterra, I’m happy to answer, and will track comments so I’ll know to come back here.
Have a happy, sustainable holidays!