Bamboo Plates for Sustainable Dining

Family making a pizza; bamboo plates

I recently wrote an article about some of the best bamboo bowls on the market. It only felt fitting to write a follow-up article for anyone who is looking for bamboo plates too, in order to complete their collection.

Maybe you landed on this page because you heard bamboo plates are shatter resistant, or maybe you’re interested in making the switch to bamboo dinnerware because bamboo is an eco-friendly resource and you care about the environment.

There are lots of reasons why bamboo plates are advantageous. Bamboo plates are portable, light, durable, and if something happens accidentally and they break, they won’t shatter like glass or porcelain.

And there are all different kinds of bamboo plates you can shop for, too.

Plates with different shapes and mixed materials, as well as different styles, brands, or designs. Here are a few great options to consider when getting your collection started.

In This Article
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    Best Overall

    These 11” bamboo plates by Belari are classic and pretty. Great for a naturalist.

    They’re versatile and good to use indoors and outdoors. They have a simple, round minimalistic design, where the wood grain shows through.

    The set is also made of real, 100% all-natural bamboo, with no veneer coating.

    It’s a simple eco-friendly wooden plate that can be dressed up or dressed down with accessories. You can spice up the decor with different colored napkins, table runners, etc.

    Handwash only. Not microwavable.

    Best Bamboo Plates Under $60 – Bamboozle Dinnerware Set (Food 52)

    This 3-piece dinnerware set is super handy. The plates in the set are good in multiple scenarios due to their unique shape.

    They’re called hybrid plates since they have a few similarities with bowls. Meaning, they have a raised rim with more depth to them than your typical flat plate.

    Bamboozle’s set includes one hybrid plate, and two deeper set bowls in one small size and one larger size.

    The other two pieces of the set are more of what typically come to mind when you are thinking of a bowl. They’re two traditional shapes. So, it’s a three-piece set altogether.

    The three options to choose from makes for a great overall set to have on hand. It comes in two neutral colors, grey and blue.

    This plate set is made from mixed materials, with the makeup of materials listed as 70% Bamboo, 15% Cornstarch, and 15% Melamine.

    Dishwasher safe. Not microwavable.

    Best Bamboo Plates For Wedding- Alfresco Bamboo Dinner Plate Set (Lulu And Georgia)

    If you’re looking for fancy plates, these white bamboo plates by Lulu and Georgia would fit what you’re looking for quite nicely.

    They make a great choice for a small wedding, and they are very classic and elegant looking in the way they resemble typical porcelain.

    The added benefits of these plates being the same added benefits of all bamboo dinnerware, meaning these plates are shatter resistant.

    Accidentally having a plate fall and break into pieces on the floor on your wedding day is easily avoidable by switching to bamboo.

    They make good catering plates too. Being lightweight makes them easy to carry.

    Lula and Georgia offers matching Alfresco-styled salad plates and bowls to go along with these Alfresco Bamboo Dinner Plates.

    Runner Up: CustomLaserEngravers Monogrammed Bamboo Plates (Etsy)

    This seller on Etsy lets you monogram your bio-degradable, single-use bamboo plates with a monogram or icon of your choosing. They’re environmentally safe and come in a set of 12 recyclable plates.

    Reusable when washed.

    Tip:

    If you're looking for something disposable, read on to visit the next section and read more about the best disposable plates on the market. The pick for disposable plates could also double as a simple wedding plate option if you’re intending to use single-use dinnerware for something like an outdoor wedding or a dress rehearsal.

    Best Disposable Bamboo PlatesVaneerware Round Bamboo Plates (Bambu)

    In my opinion, these are the best disposable plates on the market.

    They’re eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable. Plus, they’re super simple, and they work. They don’t give your food a weird taste, they just do what they’re supposed to do, hold your food and be easy to compost.

    In fact, these plates are perfect for one-time use. They’re compostable in only 4-6 months!

    That’s much better than their plastic counterparts that take around 500 years to decompose. And did you know that styrofoam may never break down, ever?!

    To read more about the benefits of disposable bamboo dinnerware–and the harsh realities of ignoring our carbon imprint by using plastic disposable dinnerware–please read my other article on bamboo bowls, 6 Best Bamboo Bowls by Category.

    Bambu makes their disposable plates in a few different sizes so they can fit a variety of needs, like 7”, 9”, and 11”.

    And they’re high quality too. These Bambu bamboo plates are made from real 100% disposable organic bamboo.

    They’re even reusable. You can re-use them a few times by hand-washing, if you would so desire.

    These bowls are sold in packs of 8 or 25. They’re pretty easy to stack, which makes them great for storing, and they take up very little space. And of course, they’re pretty good-looking too!

    If you’re planning a big event or party, I’d suggest ordering a few different sizes to create a spread. You’ll be blown away and never go back to plastic. These bamboo plates are much sturdier than plastic, and much more attractive too!

    You might be surprised to know how nice these can look in the right setting. It’s actually possible that disposable plates can be made to look all fancy.

    Complete the setup with matching accessories. Bambu sells disposable cutlery sets too.

    Runner Up: (Square Shape) Square Bamboo Salad Plate Pack (World Market)

    Handy alternative with squared corners.

    Best Bamboo Plates Set- Fable New York Colorful Bamboo Dinnerware (Food 52)

    This 16 piece dinnerware set from Fable New York comes in 6 different colors.

    It also comes in a 4-piece set. The 16-piece set is suitable for a table of 4, whereas the 4-piece set is a suitable dining for one person.

    The 16-piece set includes 4 proper place settings of a dinner plate, salad plate, low bowl, and cereal bowl.

    Plates from this set can be purchased separately, or as part of the larger collection.

    Matching tumblers are also available to purchase separately, in the same 6 colors made available to purchase as the dish set.

    The blush and the mint are nice, neutral colors. While the navy, light blue, yellow, and mixed designs offer bright and lively colors.

    Dishwasher safe.

    Runner Up: Coupe Dinner Plate Set (Pottery Barn)

    These plates match pasta bowls and individual bowls from the same product line. The materials of this set include bamboo fiber, non-GMO corn starch, and BPA-free melamine.

    Comes in 4 colors. Dishwasher safe. Not microwavable.

    Best Bamboo Plates For KidsAvanchy Bamboo Suction Baby Plate + Spoon

    Avancy sells outstanding bamboo sets for kids.

    This suction baby plate and spoon combo is half silicone and half bamboo. On the bottom of the plate is a silicone suction cup that helps prevent spilling by suctioning itself onto a surface like a high-chair tray, countertop, or table.

    It has three separate compartments for picky eaters. The largest one is intended to hold vegetables, while the other two are intended to hold proteins and carbohydrates.

    The silicone tipped spoon offers children a soft landing for sensitive mouths.

    Suitable for children aged 4 months to 72 months.

    Hypoallergenic and non-toxic.

    Runner Up: WeeSprout Toddler Plates

    WeeSprout Toddler Plates are stackable, safe, stain-resistant, dishwasher safe, chip-resistant, scratch-proof, and non-toxic.

    When your baby gets a little older they might desire dinnerware suitable for kids a little more grown-up.

    These toddler plates are a great in-between for the baby plate and the bigger-sized adult plates. A sort of transitional plate.

    The WeeSprout Toddler Plates comes in a pack of four with calming, muted color choices.

    WeeSprout is a small, conscious company. And it’s family-owned.

    It started with the founders of the company creating reusable, squeezable food packages that became quite popular. They kind of took off!

    The founders kept creating reusable squeezable containers for friends and family and people they knew personally, started selling them, and then started expanding their products and their mission.

    To learn more about WeeSprout and their mission, read more about their eco-friendly WeeSprout about page.

    If you like these plates, WeeSprout also offers matching Bamboo Toddler Cups and Bamboo Toddler Bowls.

    Not microwavable.

    Best Picnic Plates- Gigi Bamboo Dinner Plates, Set of 4 (Anthropologie)

    I’m obsessed with these plates.

    I just think they're really pretty and I adore the speckles on them. They come in three colors: lime, pink, and orange.

    They’re so bright and beautiful. I think they make the food in the photographs look beautiful too.

    They’d be so cute if you’re having a party with a particular color scheme, or buying a gift for a designer or colorist.

    The Gigi Bamboo Plates come from a collection that contains smaller side plates and bowls to be purchased separately. The dinner plates have a diameter of 8.5”.

    The materials they’re made of include crafted bamboo fiber and melamine.

    Dishwasher safe. Not microwave safe.

    Best Camping Set

    The BambooMN Camping Mess Kit comes in two sizes: 8” by 8” or 10” x 10”. The 8” by 8” option comes with two sets of bamboo eating utensils as well, including forks, knives, and spoons. (The 10” by 10” plates are sold separately, no reusable bamboo utensils included).

    When you purchase the 10” set, you can keep the bamboo utensils it comes with stored away with the bamboo plates. You can keep it organized and tucked away as designated camping gear.

    Or, you can separate the items in this set and get extra use from keeping these bamboo utensils in your car. That way, the next time you get takeout from a restaurant, you can leave behind any single-use plastic spoons and forks. And you can just use your bamboo utensils in the place of sketchy single-use plastic.

    That’s a win-win for you and the planet. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Make the choice to reuse and recycle by choosing reusable bamboo over single-use plastic one time, and reduce your carbon imprint by using your reusable bamboo utensils time and time again and contribute less trash to landfills.

    They’re great for dining outdoors with a dinner for two, whether they’re used for a picnic at the park, or on a camping trip to Big Sur.

    Bamboo is very lightweight, so this plate set is perfect for backpacking or camping. That’s a huge bonus when traveling!

    Bamboo is better for the environment and better for you. It’s so easy to replace single-use plastic with bamboo. Camping, or otherwise. This set is made from 100% all-natural bamboo, with no chemicals.

    Not microwavable. Hand wash only.

    Best for Self Care

    How cute is this?

    I'm a pretty big fan of taking baths, so thinking of these BambooMN cocktail appetizer plates paired with a glass of wine, some cheese, crackers, and a book sounds quite lovely.

    Wouldn’t mind it. Wouldn’t mind it one bit.

    It’s sold in a pack of 4, so use this for a self-care night, or you could also use it as a party favor or special event.

    Ladies’ night in, perhaps?

    Best Budget Bamboo Plate: Modern Palate Dinner Plate (Target)

    This bamboo plate is cheap in price but high in quality.

    And with a price this low, why would you want to second guess it? These bamboo dinner plates have a diameter of 10.5”, so they’re definitely large enough to be your main dinner plate.

    These cheap bamboo plates are great for college students on a budget, or for someone that’s living on their own for the first time.

    They’re easily stackable which makes them great for someone in their first studio apartment too.

    Or, honestly, they’re pretty beautiful design-wise that they don’t look cheap at all. I could see them fitting in and looking good in a luxury setting as well.

    These plates come in a luxe gray color with slightly raised edges. The raised edges give it a little something extra and make it look all fancy. It’s also dishwasher safe.

    Target sells these plates as part of their Project 62 Collection. Which means, if you’re looking to give your kitchen a makeover, there are a lot of other suggestions in the dinnerware and silverware collections from Project 62 that would pair nicely with these plates.

    All the hard work in picking out materials to match is pretty much done for you.

    Best Decorative Plate – HULTET Bamboo Dish (Ikea)

    This natural bamboo plate from Ikea is more of a decorative plate than a dinner plate.

    Which, makes it a great catch-all plate.

    It’s a beautiful dish with a natural look and feel. It has a 12’ diameter. And, it’s also super affordable at only $5.99. It would look good with an oak or bamboo design scheme.

    The HULTET Bamboo Dish would look good in the kitchen, bedroom, or living room.

    It has a more textured and woven look than the rest of the plates listed in this article, which makes it a great option for a statement piece on a coffee table, or dresser.

    You can use it to hold fruit, a book, or your keys. Even scented porporri! Organize your candles, matches, coffee books, incense, or essential oils too. Possibilities are endless.

    Runner Up: Millwood Pines Bamboo & Walnut Plate (Wayfair)

    Made from natural bamboo fiber and a walnut tone finish, this plate sold by Wayfair is suitable for use as a catch-all tray.

    But it’s also suitable for eating and dining.

    Its adaptability makes it good to have on hand. Your choice on how you want to use it or style it.

    Conclusion

    As production with bamboo material continues to grow in popularity, especially as a choice in dinnerware selections, the options available to consumers will grow too.

    Luckily, eco-friendly bamboo materials are considered a reliable and renewable resource–as it grows pretty fast itself.

    I think we'll see an increase in the use of bamboo plates over the coming years–especially with disposable plates.

    There’s really no excuse to not make the switch to bamboo plates when it comes to single-use dinnerware.

    Disposable bamboo plates outperform anything else on the market. By far.

    Better performance with a much more eco-friendly, reusable, recyclable, bio-degradable material makes for a no-brainer.

    Bamboo itself is lightweight and easy to manage. You don’t have to fear any of these bamboo plates breaking into dangerous shards. So useful and beneficial. It’s especially useful around kids.

    There’s a good argument for you to make your switch to bamboo dinnerware for environmental reasons. Most bamboo products are recyclable, biodegradable, and can be compostable in as little as 4 to 6 months!

    Give one of these plates a try and see if you ever look back.

    I hope this article helped you find what you were looking for and helped you make an informed switch to bamboo dinnerware.

    Now, I think I’ll grab myself some dinner. 😉

    Author

    • Rachel Jones

      Rachel is an interior designer living in Santa Monica, California.

      Since graduating with a BA in Philosophy, she found her calling in designing beautiful homes and indoor spaces. She believes in the future of a sustainable economy and loves when she can add beautiful bamboo goods to the spaces she decorates.

      Getting to share her research with the Bamboo Goods readers is a real bonus. Here’s to making your home a beautiful space with bamboo goods.

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