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In Australia, researchers are considering how genetic engineering could allow mosquitoes to produce venom proteins, like those produced by spiders and sea anemones, in their sperm to transfer the poison to female mosquitoes when mating.

In a study led by Macquarie University, researchers first used genetically modified fruit flies to test what has been dubbed the “toxic male technique,” which makes it possible for the insects to produce venom in their sperm. After mating, the poison transfers to the female, ultimately reducing the female fruit flies’ lifespans by 60%, researchers found. The females are targeted because they are the mosquitoes that bite humans.

As the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported, the female fruit flies lived for only about six or seven days after mating with the poisonous males.

“Ideally it’s quite rapid,” Sam Beach, lead author of the study, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “We want that to be much closer to 100 percent, like a much faster acting reaction.”

Additionally, the researchers found that the technique could reduce blood feeding by 40% to 60%, The Guardian reported.

Although the study focused on how this genetic engineering impacts fruit flies, the researchers noted in the paper that this technique could be replicated in mosquitoes to control populations of disease-causing mosquito species, particularly the Aedes aegypti, or yellow fever mosquito. The team published the findings in the journal Nature Communications.

Researchers at Macquarie University are looking to use genetic modification to minimize mosquito-borne illness. Sam Beach / Macquarie University

As The Guardian reported, the toxic male technique could reduce disease outbreaks linked to mosquitoes without using insecticides. Mosquito-borne diseases infect millions of people each year, with dengue alone linked to 390 million human infections annually, the study authors wrote.

Not only do these diseases pose health risks to humans, they can also destroy food crops and threaten native species. Further, using insecticides to target mosquitoes and other pests can lead to pesticide resistance in these pests while threatening the environment with pollution.

“Mosquitoes get resistant to insecticides very rapidly, and they can spread resistance,” Tom Schmidt, an evolutionary biologist at University of Melbourne who was not involved in the study, told The Guardian. “They can evolve it, and they can also spread it by getting on boats and planes and spreading it all over the world.”

As an alternative, the researchers said using the toxic male technique could target invasive, disease-spreading mosquito species with a lower environmental impact than pesticides.

“There are about 3,500 species of mosquito, but there are only about five to 10 or so that spread disease in humans,” Beach explained, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “All [those species] are invasive outside of Sub-Saharan Africa. We’re just trying to push them back out of areas that human have introduced them.”

As for concerns about animals eating the venomous mosquitoes also being harmed, the researchers noted that the venom proteins are harmful when injected directly, such as when mating, but are up to 100 times less toxic if one animal consumes a genetically modified mosquito.

The findings come at a critical time, as previous studies have warned that with warming temperatures and climate change, mosquitoes populations could expand and infect a billion more people by 2100.

This is not the first research into genetically modifying mosquitoes to reduce infection spread. In 2021, Florida officials and biotechnology company Oxitec released millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in Monroe County, which raised concerns from environmentalists over how this could impact the environment. The project involved modifying the mosquitoes to pass along a gene to offspring that would kill off the offspring in the larval stage.

As Smithsonian Magazine reported in 2022, the test was considered a success. Out of 22,000 eggs collected from the experience, only the male eggs hatched. However, the gene was not considered a long-term solution, as it was found to last for only a few months, or a few generations of mosquitoes.

For now, the team is continuing research into how the venom-producing mosquitoes would impact their predators and the environment in the short- and long-term. The researchers also hope to further shorten the lifespan after poisoning, ultimately aiming for the infectious female mosquito to die immediately upon mating.

“This is, you know, the first step in a very, very long process, Beach told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “We’re not looking at, you know, releasing these mosquitoes in Australia anytime soon.”

The post Australia Mosquito Population Researchers Could Develop Genetically Modified ‘Toxic Males’ to Kill Females by Mating With Them appeared first on EcoWatch.

https://www.ecowatch.com/australia-mosquitoes-genetic-engineering.html

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7 Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Sustainable Table

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A durable set of eco-friendly dinnerware is a solid ingredient for a sustainably set table! But…

What is Sustainable Dinnerware?

Well looking for secondhand and vintage dinnerware is always a good start, whether that’s your grandmother’s porcelain dining sets or a pre-loved set of colorful plates and bowls at your local thrift store.

Another great place to look is estate sales. You can likely find full sets of dinnerware! If none of those options are available to you (or your just not finding something you love) you can check out a site like Etsy Used or Chairish.

*Important note on secondhand dinnerware: the FDA started regulating the use of lead in dinnerware in 1971. So you might want to avoid any dinnerware produced before 1971, unless it’s just for display!

Here are some qualities to look for when shopping for new sustainable dinnerware:

Sustainably sourced materials: such as responsibly-harvested bamboo and recycled glass.

Quality: when it comes to products you’re going to potentially use and wash daily, durability is an important factor to keep in mind. Also consider your lifestyle! Perhaps glass and porcelain aren’t the best choices if you have little ones, or you tend to drop things often. (Guilty!!)

Usefulness: You might also want to consider if you will be hand-washing or dishwashing your dinnerware. Some materials are too fragile for the dishwasher, so consider if you’ll have the time (and willingness) to hand wash them all the time. Because part of sustainability is that you’ll actually use the products and they won’t just sit and collect dust! 😉

Ethical production: this could look like transparent local manufacturing or artisan-made and fair trade. In any case, an ethical dinnerware brand would prioritize fair living wages for the workers, ensure safe healthy conditions (this includes no toxic chemicals used in production!) and go above and beyond to consider the wellbeing of the people who work for them and/or produce their products.

Ownership and Equity: this means looking at who owns and profits from the brands we’re supporting; if a brand is owned by a person of color, it will be indicated in their description below (BIPOC-owned stands for Black, Indigenous, Person of Color-owned and WOC-owned stands for Woman of Color-owned).

Your Values: you may have other elements you look for in a brand, such as traditional craft preservation. Or perhaps it’s really important to you that a brand is giving back to their local community.

Where to Find Eco-Friendly Dinnerware

The eco-friendly tableware and sustainable dinnerware brands featured below meet at least one (though most of them meet several) of the above criteria.

In this roundup, you’ll find sustainable pottery (including ceramic plates, sustainable mugs, and more), recycled glassware, artisan-made ethical dinnerware, and everything in between to suit your needs. I hope that this variety of brands will help you set the table, whether that’s for fancy dinner parties, Friday night pizza, or something in between.

This article features affiliates and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

1. East Fork

East Fork’s ethically-made dinnerware and tableware is next level — their gorgeous sustainable ceramics, glassware, mugs, and other goods are exquisitely designed and built for durability.

Committed to creating local manufacturing jobs, all of East Fork’s eco-friendly pottery is made in Asheville, North Carolina and is working to center equity and inclusion throughout their business.

Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Drinking Glasses, Flatware/Silverware,

Conscious Qualities: Locally-Made, Transparent Production

Price Range: $$$

Check Out East Fork

Red clay sustainable dinnerware from East Fork

2. Our Place

From the same brand that brought us their cult-favorite Always Pan, comes a gorgeous collection of non-toxic dinnerware and sustainable pottery.

Our Place has hand-painted main plates and side bowls made with recycled and virgin porcelain ceramic and dinner glasses handmade from recycled glass and colored with natural dyes.

Categories: Glassware, Bowls, Plates

Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, Gives Back, WOC-Owned

Price Range: $$

Check Out Our Place

Gray bowls from eco-friendly dinnerware brand Our Place

3. Fable

Prioritizing timelessness and sustainability, Fable sources quality materials and simple designs that last the test of time.

The eco-minded dinnerware company partners with makers in Portugal, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US that use conscious practices, like ethical employment, craftsmanship, and low-waste practices (like sourcing recycled clay).

Categories: Dinnerware, Drinkware, Cutlery, Serveware, and Decor

Conscious Qualities: Quality Craftsmanship, Low Waste Practices, Responsibly Sourced

Price Range: $$$

Check out Fable

taupe colored sustainable dinnerware from Fable

4. Zungleboo

Lightweight, shatterproof, and made from corn starch + bamboo fiber, Zungleboo creates family-friendly and eco-friendly dinnerware!

Their versatile plant-based bowls and plates are also dishwasher and microwave safe, making them easy to care for no matter how busy mealtime is. As Zungleboo writes on their website, their sustainable dinnerware is “from real plants, for real life”.

Categories: Bowls, Plates

Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, WOC-Owned

Price Range: $$

Check Out Zungleboo

Use code CONSCIOUS15 for 15% off!

5. Urban Natural

Green home retailer Urban Natural has stunning eco-friendly tabletop goods from leading contemporary brands like Farmhouse Pottery and Ethnicraft.

The brands Urban Natural curates source natural materials, use time-honored processes, and take quality craftsmanship seriously.

Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups & Mugs, Flatware

Conscious Qualities: Artisan Goods, Natural Materials, Locally and Ethically Made

Price Range: $$ – $$$

Check Out Urban Natural

Eco-friendly stoneware from Urban Natural

6. GOODEE

For artisanal plates that can elevate your tablescape, GOODEE is the answer.

From 100% porcelain stone ceramic plates hand-crafted in the ancient Japanese town of Arita and hand-painted plates made from Egyptian clay to marble patterned ecothylene® (upcycled BPA-free plastic) plates ideal for family-friendly daily wares, GOODEE has options for everyone.

Categories: Plates, Glassware, Cups & Mugs, Serving, Flatware

Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Craft Preservation

Price Range: $$$

Shop GOODEE

Scalloped artisan-made dinnerware

7. Ekobo

Ekobo’s colorful eco-friendly dinnerware is available in a variety of colors and sizes, perfect for mixing and matching to create a unique sustainable table setting for any space.

The eco-friendly dinnerware from Ekobo is made from upcycled bamboo and the result is durable, dishwasher-safe, and non-toxic diningware.

Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Trays, Baby Diningware

Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials

Price Range: $$

Check Out Ekobo

colorful sustainable dinnerware

More Guides For An Eco-Friendly Kitchen:

Best Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Tablecloths

Your Sustainable and Zero Waste Kitchen Guide

The Best Zero Waste Food Storage Options

The post 7 Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Sustainable Table appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

7 Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Sustainable Table

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18 Eco-Friendly & Ethical Gift Ideas For Everyone on Your List

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From gorgeous home decor and indulgent organic beauty to artisanal quality accessories and thoughtfully-crafted gift sets, you’re sure to have a successful (and stress-free) gift-giving experience for everyone on your list through our curation of conscious yet covetable ethical gifts.

We know that finding that perfect present for every individual in your life can be an overwhelming task, especially if you’re a conscious-minded shopper. To put you out of your holiday-gifting-induced anxiety, we’ve put together a comprehensive, sure-fire assortment of ethical gift ideas for you.

So, go ahead and secure your favorite spot on the couch to get ready to check off your gift giving list, because this ethical gift guide will not disappoint. With something for every special someone on your list — even the hard-to-shop-for folks in your life — we’re making it possible to get much of your seasonal shopping accomplished in one place.

Rest assured, you’ll find something delightful for yourself too — maybe a set of gram-worthy pastel cookware? Think of it as an incentive to get you through the holiday hustle.

Now, don’t let us keep you…get ready to have your gift-wrapped ducks in a row with our sustainable gift ideas ahead. The perfect gifts for socially conscious and environmentally aware loved ones in your life!

Please note that this guide includes CL&S partners and affiliate links. As always, brands meet strict criteria for sustainability and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

1. Organic Cotton Kidswear by Mightly

Why we love it | GOTS Certified Cotton, Fair Trade Certified™ Factories, Women-Owned
Price | $18+

For the little ones you know and adore, Mightly has a range of organic cotton kidswear that’ll make for a great gift this festive season. Think dresses that are big on twirl factor, cozy pajamas with prints that pop, and unisex hoodies with snap front pockets to store all their tiny treasures. Every piece is made with GOTS certified organic cotton, which explicitly prohibits the use of toxic chemicals in the finished product, making it ideal for kids with sensitive skin. And if that wasn’t reassuring enough, the pieces are also thoughtfully designed to include details like tag-free labels, easy-to-wear fits, and playful designs that make it fun yet functional.

Organic cotton kids pajamas

2. Handcrafted Teak Furniture by MasayaCo

Why we love it | FSC® Certified Teak, Handmade to Last, Funds Reforestation
Price | $155+

Offering artisanal teak furniture that’ll add a touch of understated elegance to any home, MasayaCo has curated a range of side tables and stools under $350 for the discerning decor enthusiasts. Handcrafted from durable and naturally water-resistant teak wood, their slatted top Japanese-inspired Zapatera stool has garnered raving reviews about just how well it holds up as an in-shower stool. The brand operates on a self-sustaining model by growing its own FSC® Certified teak trees on reforested land in Nicaragua.

The Zapatera Stool by Masaya & Co placed with a rolled towel on top of it in an outdoor bath setting

3. Organic Cotton Clothing by Passion Lilie

Why we love it | Fair Trade, Organic Cotton, Pays Living Wages, Woman-Owned
Price | $68+

Passion Lilie offers a range of elevated clothing made from sumptuous organic cotton fabric that’ll keep your loved ones looking stylish and feel all snuggled up come winter. From handwoven shirts for men to figure-flattering hand-printed dresses for women, the brand’s dedication to highlighting artisanal craft reverberates throughout its collection. We recommend bookmarking their crimson hand-printed snowflake dress for the women who’ll appreciate a holiday-themed gift. You could also complement the dress with a dainty little stocking stuffer like one of the tea towels or napkins from their collection of kitchen linens in bright and charming prints.

Model wearing snowflake printed organic cotton red dress by Passion Lilie

4. Refillable Hand Soaps by Blueland

Why we love it | WOC-Owned, Plastic-Free, Cradle2Cradle Certified
Price | $42

A conscious gift that is both practical and plastic-free, Blueland’s holiday hand soap kit is ready to spread a bit of festive cheer even into the most mundane tasks like handwashing. The kit includes a hand soap bottle in a color of your choice, a reusable tin, and 10 refill tablets in scents like Winterberry, Wintry Pine, and Toasted Vanilla.

Easy to use and refill, the bottle must be filled with water before you drop a soap tablet in, and simply watch it dissolve and turn into foamy goodness that’s ready for application.

A styled pack shot of a plastic-free hand soap dispenser, with three refillable scented soap tablets next to it placed over a resuable tin, Blueland refillable hand soaps

5. Premium Loose Leaf Tea Collection by Rishi Tea

Why we love it | USDA Certified Organic, Ethically Sourced, Agrochemical-free
Price | $67

For the ones who cherish daily indulgences like a warm cup of tea, this gift set will send them on a sensory journey through global tea traditions. This gift set features 12 curated blends that range from delicate green teas to robust black teas, refreshing herbals, and fragrant oolongs. Don’t just take our word for it, one reviewer claims the set was “very luxurious” and found the tea selection to be “amazing and delicious”. The brand supports growers through ethical and direct sourcing that pays 5-10x the commodity prices to incentivize their efforts on sustainable harvests of organic quality.

Ethically sourced loose leaf teas from the premium loose-leaf gift set

6. Non-Toxic Loungewear by MATE the Label

Why we love it | Natural Materials, Woman-Owned, GOTS Certified Fabrics
Price | $48+

With laidback loungewear that strikes the perfect balance between fashionable and effortless, MATE the Label boasts of cozy threads you’d want in your wardrobe come winter. Stylish options are just a bonus, the brand is committed to keeping its clothes free of toxic chemicals and harmful dyes while adhering to self-imposed protocols to ensure the factories it works with are safe, fair, and compliant with California labor laws. They’ve also made choosing a gift a lot easier with their curated holiday guide that’s categorized by budget and persona.

Model wearing navy organic cotton loungewear

7. Bonfire Reusable Candle by Mimi & August

Why we love it | Reusable, Natural Soy Wax
Price | $38 CAD

Hunting for the perfect holiday gift to present a great hostess? Snatch up this fragrant little candle to light up their space with an inviting aroma.

Evoking the smell of a nostalgic campfire with notes of cedar, vanilla, and smoke, this hand-poured soy wax candle comes in reusable cups of different sizes that can be filled with some hot cocoa and marshmallows once used up.

Bonfire Reusable Candle by Mimi & August

8. Jewel Tone Birth Month Dish on Uncommon Goods

Why we love it | Handmade in Minneapolis, Independent Small-Batch Maker
Price | $25

Glazed in birthstone colors, this jewelry dish is the prettiest little ethical gift that’ll adorn any dressing table. They feature crackled glass centers resembling crystalline geode slices that give them a distinctive appearance. Simply select the birth month to get a unique jewelry dish that’s just as special as the person you intend to give it to.

Crafted by a trained female potter, you can find more such unique handmade gifts on Uncommon Goods where independent designers are celebrated for their work.

Jewel Tone Jewelry Dishes on Uncommon Goods, ethical gift idea

9. Organic Towels by COYUCHI

Why we love it | Fair Trade Certified™ Factories, GOTS Certified Fabrics
Price | $18+

Know someone who loves a good towel lounge after a shower? We reckon these indulgent organic towels might just motivate them to stretch those sessions even further. Offering an array of matching organic cotton towel sets in weaves and textures that look like they’ll wrap you up in luxury, these towels also come in lovely earthy tones and size options, in case you aren’t keen on getting the entire bundle. They’ve even got a set of plush cotton robes that’ll offer them enough reason to not leave the house and disappear into it like a second skin.

Stack of light blue organic cotton towels in varying sizes by COYUCHI

10. Handcrafted Wool Slippers by Kyrgies

Why we love it | OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certified, Plastic-Free, Low-Waste, Woman-Led Factories
Price | $89+

Let your loved ones kick up their feet in comfort come winter with a little help from Kyrgies wool slippers. Kyrgies’ cozy slip-on offerings are handcrafted in Kyrgyzstan, where local sheep are known for producing wool with long fibers that are ideal for felting in a mulesing-free process. The wool is felted by a women-led factory using centuries-old techniques, ensuring leftover off-cuts are reused as extra padding in their slippers or repurposed as natural insulation for buildings.

Handcrafted red Wool Slip ons by Kyrgies

11. Sake Body Lotion by cocokind

Why we love it | WOC-owned, Certified Organic Ingredients, Philanthropic, Life Cycle Transparency
Price | $23

Crafted with Japanese fermented rice wine that’s rich in smoothing enzymes and microbiome-friendly prebiotic sugars, the sake body lotion by cocokind has a reviewer describing it as “the only body moisturizer” where they’ve “used the entire bottle.”

Available in an upcycled plastic bottle that’s fully recyclable, the sake extract they use is created by fermenting rice kernels and is completely alcohol-free. It also contains a blend of sunflower seed oil and shea butter that’ll leave skin feeling supple and soft.

Sake Body Lotion by cocokind

12. Weighted Blanket by Bearaby

Why we love it | OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified, GOTS Certified
Price | $199+

For the busy bees who could use some serious R&R, this weighted blanket will help them hit the hay faster. Known for aiding with naturally deeper sleep cycles, Bearaby’s weighted blankets are crafted using organic cotton that’s free of fillers and owes its weight to the chunky knit fabric alone.

Not just for cozy winters, these machine-washable cotton blankets are knitted for maximum breathability making them perfect for all seasons.

Beige cotton knitted weighted blanket by bearaby

13. Life Designer Journal by Intelligent Change

Why we love it | Recycled Paper, Compostable, Encourages Intentional Living
Price | $39

For the ones who have a special spot for aesthetic stationery, this journal is a gift they won’t judge solely by its pretty cover.

Filled with mindful prompts centered around five essential pillars that guide you through a self-reflective journey to help manifest your best self, this journal will be a portable therapist and best friend bound between the pages that might just have you picking up a copy for yourself as well.

Journal filled with self-help prompts by Intelligent Change

14. Tree of Life Cork Yoga Mat by Scoria

Why we love it | Woman-Owned, Natural Materials, Philanthropic
Price | $105

Offering the ultimate incentive for perfecting the warrior two pose, this alignment cork yoga mat features a methodical tree of life print that isn’t just aesthetically appealing but also helps properly align postures with a line across the middle. Talk about combining style and function!

Crafted with a sustainably harvested cork surface that’s backed by natural rubber, this anti-slip mat comes with a handy cotton mat carry strap.

Tree of life print on cork yoga mat by scoria

15. Friendship Bracelets by Monica Vinader

Why we love it | Recycled Metals, Traceable Supply Chain, Philanthropic
Price | $149+

The grown-up take on a nostalgic staple, these friendship bracelets are pieces your bestie will treasure for years to come.

Monica Vinader’s reimagines the classic sentiment in refined 18k gold vermeil and sterling silver.

You can add a complimentary engraving — whether a meaningful motif or personalized text — to make it feel just as heartfelt as the ones you swapped in high school.

Colorful friendship bracelet from Monica Vinader

16. Sock Gift Boxes that Give Back by Conscious Step

Why we love it | GOTS Certified, Fair Trade Certified™, Philanthropic
Price | $35+

Colorful socks with fun designs that don’t just look good but also give back, these ethical gift sets will easily be one of the most meaningful presents you’ll give your loved ones. These soft organic cotton sock sets are created in collaboration with creative artists to help connect customers with world-changing nonprofits through causes they care about.

From socks that support mental health to ones that protect the ocean, dogs, cats, and beyond, you’ll be sure to find a sock set with a purpose.

printed sock gift set by conscious step that saves cats

17. Shallow Dinner Set by East Fork

Why we love it | Philanthropic, Pay Living Wages
Price | $156

For the friend who is always posting perfectly plated stories of what they’ve cooked, this set will be a highly welcome addition to their dinnerware collection.

Including two bowls and three plates in different sizes, this handcrafted ceramic shallow dinner set comes in many hues, but we highly recommend the black set for its understated elegance and the way it’ll make a rainbow salad or smoothie bowl pop.

East Fork’s pottery glazes are completely food-safe and free of lead so they won’t have to worry about heavy metals leaching into meals.

Black Dinnerware set by East Fork, ethical gift idea

18. Piccolo Zipper Card Wallet by HYER GOODS

Why we love it | Repurposed Materials, Woman-Owned
Price | $125

Chic and petite, this luxe zip wallet will quickly become the new go-to essential they won’t leave the house without. With five exterior card slots and a lined cash compartment with an extra card slot that comes with a zip-around closure, this minimal wallet is surprisingly functional for daily use.

We love the fact that it’s made using recycled deadstock materials and is compact enough to fit into tiny clutch bags. The brand sources its leather from local leftovers, making sure every recipient receives something unique.

Olive Green and Brown Deadstock Leather Wallet by HYER GOODS

And one last bonus sustainable gift idea for the person on your list that doesn’t want more stuff:

Audiobook Gift Membership on Libro.fm

Why we love it | Supports local and independent bookstores
Price | $31+

Consider this the perfect gift for the bookworm in your life who enjoys a great read but has lately been having a tough time getting through their ever-increasing to-be-read pile.

We love the fact that Libro.fm offers a range of credit bundles to choose from so that your gift recipient can have their pick of the lot while supporting local bookstores through your purchase.

phone and head phones with audiobooks from libro.fm app on screen

About The Author:

Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her.

When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers.

👗 For More Slow Fashion Content:


The post 18 Eco-Friendly & Ethical Gift Ideas For Everyone on Your List appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

18 Eco-Friendly & Ethical Gift Ideas For Everyone on Your List

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7 Ethical & Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Table Sustainably

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A durable set of eco-friendly dinnerware is a solid ingredient for a sustainably set table! But…

What is Sustainable Dinnerware?

Well looking for secondhand and vintage dinnerware is always a good start, whether that’s your grandmother’s porcelain dining sets or a pre-loved set of colorful plates and bowls at your local thrift store.

Another great place to look is estate sales. You can likely find full sets of dinnerware! If none of those options are available to you (or your just not finding something you love) you can check out a site like Etsy Used or Chairish.

*Important note on secondhand dinnerware: the FDA started regulating the use of lead in dinnerware in 1971. So you might want to avoid any dinnerware produced before 1971, unless it’s just for display!

Here are some qualities to look for when shopping for new sustainable dinnerware:

Sustainably sourced materials: such as responsibly-harvested bamboo and recycled glass.

Quality: when it comes to products you’re going to potentially use and wash daily, durability is an important factor to keep in mind. Also consider your lifestyle! Perhaps glass and porcelain aren’t the best choices if you have little ones, or you tend to drop things often. (Guilty!!)

Usefulness: You might also want to consider if you will be hand-washing or dishwashing your dinnerware. Some materials are too fragile for the dishwasher, so consider if you’ll have the time (and willingness) to hand wash them all the time. Because part of sustainability is that you’ll actually use the products and they won’t just sit and collect dust!

Ethical production: this could look like transparent local manufacturing or artisan-made and fair trade. In any case, an ethical dinnerware brand would prioritize fair living wages for the workers, ensure safe healthy conditions (this includes no toxic chemicals used in production!) and go above and beyond to consider the wellbeing of the people who work for them and/or produce their products.

Ownership and Equity: this means looking at who owns and profits from the brands we’re supporting; if a brand is owned by a person of color, it will be indicated in their description below (BIPOC-owned stands for Black, Indigenous, Person of Color-owned and WOC-owned stands for Woman of Color-owned).

Your Values: you may have other elements you look for in a brand, such as traditional craft preservation. Or perhaps it’s really important to you that a brand is giving back to their local community.

Where to Find Eco-Friendly Dinnerware

The eco-friendly tableware and sustainable dinnerware brands featured below meet at least one (though most of them meet several) of the above criteria.

In this roundup, you’ll find sustainable pottery (including ceramic plates, sustainable mugs, and more), recycled glassware, artisan-made ethical dinnerware, and everything in between to suit your needs. I hope that this variety of brands will help you set the table, whether that’s for fancy dinner parties, Friday night pizza, or something in between.

This article features affiliates and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

1. Zungleboo

Lightweight, shatterproof, and made from corn starch + bamboo fiber, Zungleboo creates family-friendly and eco-friendly dinnerware!

Their versatile plant-based bowls and plates are also dishwasher and microwave safe, making them easy to care for no matter how busy mealtime is. As Zungleboo writes on their website, their sustainable dinnerware is “from real plants, for real life”.

Categories: Bowls, Plates

Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, WOC-Owned

Price Range: $$

Check Out Zungleboo

Use code CONSCIOUS15 for 15% off!

2. Our Place

From the same brand that brought us their cult-favorite Always Pan, comes a gorgeous collection of non-toxic dinnerware and sustainable pottery.

Our Place has hand-painted main plates and side bowls made with recycled and virgin porcelain ceramic and dinner glasses handmade from recycled glass and colored with natural dyes.

Categories: Glassware, Bowls, Plates

Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, Gives Back, WOC-Owned

Price Range: $$

Check Out Our Place

Gray bowls from eco-friendly dinnerware brand Our Place

3. Fable

Prioritizing timelessness and sustainability, Fable sources quality materials and simple designs that last the test of time.

The eco-minded dinnerware company partners with makers in Portugal, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US that use conscious practices, like ethical employment, craftsmanship, and low-waste practices (like sourcing recycled clay).

Categories: Dinnerware, Drinkware, Cutlery, Serveware, and Decor

Conscious Qualities: Quality Craftsmanship, Low Waste Practices, Responsibly Sourced

Price Range: $$$

Check out Fable

taupe colored sustainable dinnerware from Fable

4. East Fork

East Fork’s ethically-made dinnerware and tableware is next level — their gorgeous sustainable ceramics, glassware, mugs, and other goods are exquisitely designed and built for durability.

Committed to creating local manufacturing jobs, all of East Fork’s eco-friendly pottery is made in Asheville, North Carolina and is working to center equity and inclusion throughout their business.

Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Drinking Glasses, Flatware/Silverware,

Conscious Qualities: Locally-Made, Transparent Production

Price Range: $$$$

Check Out East Fork

ethical dinnerware in blue and orange from East Fork

5. Urban Natural

Green home retailer Urban Natural has stunning eco-friendly tabletop goods from leading contemporary brands like Farmhouse Pottery and Ethnicraft.

The brands Urban Natural curates source natural materials, use time-honored processes, and take quality craftsmanship seriously.

Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups & Mugs, Flatware

Conscious Qualities: Artisan Goods, Natural Materials, Locally and Ethically Made

Price Range: $$ – $$$

Check Out Urban Natural

Eco-friendly stoneware from Urban Natural

6. GOODEE

For artisanal plates that can elevate your tablescape, GOODEE is the answer.

From 100% porcelain stone ceramic plates hand-crafted in the ancient Japanese town of Arita and hand-painted plates made from Egyptian clay to marble patterned ecothylene® (upcycled BPA-free plastic) plates ideal for family-friendly daily wares, GOODEE has options for everyone.

Categories: Plates, Glassware, Cups & Mugs, Serving, Flatware

Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Craft Preservation

Price Range: $$$

Shop GOODEE 

Scalloped artisan-made dinnerware

7. Ekobo

Ekobo’s colorful eco-friendly dinnerware is available in a variety of colors and sizes, perfect for mixing and matching to create a unique sustainable table setting for any space.

The eco-friendly dinnerware from Ekobo is made from upcycled bamboo and the result is durable, dishwasher-safe, and non-toxic diningware.

Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Trays, Baby Diningware

Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials

Price Range: $$

Check Out Ekobo

colorful sustainable dinnerware

More Guides For An Eco-Friendly Kitchen:

Best Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Tablecloths

Your Sustainable and Zero Waste Kitchen Guide

The Best Zero Waste Food Storage Options

The post 7 Ethical & Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Table Sustainably appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

7 Ethical & Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Table Sustainably

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