• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Conscious Life & Style

Conscious Life & Style

Mindful Media for Thoughtful Living

  • Fashion
    • Shopping Guides
      • Full Ethical Brand List
      • Online Secondhand
      • Marketplaces
      • Clothing
        • Basics
        • Plus Size
        • Activewear
        • Jumpsuits
        • Pajamas
        • Casual Dresses
        • Formal Dresses
        • Sweaters
        • Workwear
        • Coats & Jackets
        • UK Brands
        • Linen Clothing
      • Undergarments & Swim
        • Underwear
        • Lingerie
        • Swimwear
      • Footwear
        • Vegan Shoes
        • Flats
        • Sandals
        • Boots
        • Sneakers
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Cloth Masks
        • Hats
        • Jewelry
        • Bags
      • Home Goods
        • Furniture
        • Home Decor
    • Brand Spotlights
    • Founder Interviews
    • Conscious Shop
  • Lifestyle
    • Low Waste
    • Travel
    • Home
  • Beauty
  • Blogging
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
  • Subscribe

11 Ethical & Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands for a Sustainably-Set Table

January 23, 2021
Share

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

But what exactly makes dinnerware or tableware “sustainable”?

Well, looking for used and vintage ware 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. Since Conscious Life & Style reaches a global audience, this guide will focus on online secondhand options!

If you’re not finding anything on the used market and you’re in need of something new, some considerations are:

  • Sustainably sourced materials: such as responsibly-harvested bamboo and recycled glass)
  • Ethical production: this could look like transparent local manufacturing or artisan-made & fair trade, depending on your priorities
  • 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 Personal Priorities: you may have other elements you look for in a brand, such as traditional craft preservation

The eco-friendly tableware and dinnerware brands featured below meet at least one (though most of them meet two or more) of these criteria. 

Note that this guide includes affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through these links at no additional cost to you which helps us continue creating these free resources. Thanks for your support!

1. Our Place

From the same brand that brought us their cult-favorite Always Pan, comes a gorgeous collection of non-toxic dinnerware. 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: Drinking Glasses, 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

2. Etsy Used

Etsy is an unexpected treasure trove for vintage and antique dinnerware, whether you’re looking for traditional French, Bavarian, or English-style dining sets.

Categories: Plates, Bowls, Silverware, Cups and nearly everything else!

Conscious Qualities: Secondhand

Price Range: $ – $$$

Check Out Etsy Used

3. 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 diningware 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 on Made Trade

The Conscious Edit Subscription Banner_Green

4. Bibol

Born and raised in Vietnam, Bibol founder Little Moon returned to her homeland in adulthood to found a company that could offer fair employment for the craftspeople in an ecologically responsible way. Today, Bibol’s elegant bamboo bowls, plates, servers, and tumblers are all handcrafted from sustainably-harvested bamboo (a material central to Vietnamese culture) and colored with natural pigments by artisans in Vietnam. 

Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Dishes, Salad Bowls and Servers

Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, Ethical Production, WOC-Owned

Price Range: $$$

Check Out Bibol on Made Trade

5. East Fork

East Fork’s ethically-made dinnerware and tableware is next level — their gorgeous pottery, glassware, kitchen textiles, and other goods are exquisitely designed and built for durability. Committed to creating local manufacturing jobs, all of East Fork’s pieces are made in Asheville, North Carolina. *Note: The brand has acknowledged that its rapid growth led to homogenous hiring practices and has implemented strategies and is committed to the continual work 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

6. Newly

A certified B-Corp, Newly is a sustainability-minded company creating goods from 100% recycled materials. That means cups and vases mouth-blown from recycled glass and serving/cutting boards crafted out of reclaimed wood. Newly’s eco-friendly tableware and dinnerware are also made with exceptional attention to quality and built to last.

Categories: Drinking Glasses, Pitchers, Serving Boards 

Conscious Qualities: Recycled Materials, B-Corp

Price Range: $$

Check Out Newly

7. Ames

Founded by native Colombian Ana María Calderon Kayser, Ames is an artisan-made home decor brand collaborating with local Colombian craftspeople to bring their handmade goods to a broader market. Each exceptionally designed and richly hued piece is made using traditional techniques and natural materials like palm fibers and terracotta.

Categories: Plates, Trays, Placemats

Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Craft Preservation, WOC-Owned

Price Range: $$$$

Check Out Ames on GOODEE 

8. Chairish (Vintage)

For unique antique and vintage dinnerware, Chairish has you covered. The platform has a thoughtfully curated selection of quality pieces from a wide range of eras — you can find antique 1800s blue dinnerware, vintage 1930s German plates, and late 20th century Tiffany & Co leopard spot plates. Note: items on Chairish are pricy and probably more collector items than functional pieces.

Categories: Plates, Bowls, Silverware, Cups and nearly everything else!

Conscious Qualities: Secondhand

Price Range: $$ – $$$$

Check Out Chairish

9. Slash Objects 

Slash Objects creates sleek eco home decor pieces — including sustainable tabletop pieces — made from entirely post-consumer recycled rubber sourced from U.S. manufacturers. The women-owned company produces all of their products in Brooklyn and ensures living wages for all.

Categories: Placemats, Coasters

Conscious Qualities: Recycled Materials, Local Production

Price Range: $ – $$

Check Out Slash Objects on Made Trade

10. Middle Kingdom

Rooted in rich heritage and honoring traditional artistry, Middle Kingdom’s fair trade dinnerware is made with exceptional care in the ancient kiln city of Jingdezhen, China. To ensure they’re producing only the highest quality porcelain pieces, every artisan begins their time at Middle Kingdom in training as an apprentice. Each artisan earns fair, well-above-average salaries.

Categories: Plates and Bowls

Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, WOC-owned, Craft Preservation

Price Range: $$$

Check Out Middle Kingdom on Made Trade

11. Fable New York

Made from organic bamboo, non-GMO corn starch, and food-grade melamine binding, Fable New York’s eco-friendly dinnerware is as durable as it is aesthetically pleasing. Plus, their colorful bamboo plates are dishwasher safe (though not microwave safe).

Categories: Plates, Bowls, Tumblers

Conscious Qualities: Locally-Made, Transparent Production

Price Range:  $$

Check Out Fable New York on Food 52

JOIN THE CONSCIOUS EDIT

A weekly newsletter with mindfully curated reads and recommendations, plus the latest posts. (Preview an issue.)

    By subscribing, you agree to receiving emails from us and accept our Terms and Privacy Policy.

    Pin this post to reference it for later:

    11 Sustainable Tableware Brands - Conscious Life and Style
    11 Ethical and Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands - Conscious Life and Style

    You May Also Want to Check Out:

    9 Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Tablecloths

    Your Sustainable and Zero Waste Kitchen Guide

    The Best Zero Waste Food Storage Options

    Share this post

    Blog, Eco Living, Home

    Related Posts

    10 Fair Trade & Zero Waste Tea Brands for Sustainable Sipping

    Remake: Igniting a Conscious Consumer Movement

    Where to Find Conscious Looks for Your NYE Party

    9 Non-Toxic Deodorants: Reviewed & Ranked Best to Worst
    8 Best Sustainable & Non-Toxic Sofas for Truly Restful Relaxation

    Primary Sidebar

    Let’s connect

    Instagram

    *sigh* another week, another fast fashion greenwas *sigh* another week, another fast fashion greenwashing campaign.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
📧 Dear @hm, nothing about your clothes is conscious if they're made by people who aren't earning fair wages. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Your collections will never be conscious no matter what percentage of your clothes are made from recycled or "sustainably sourced" (whatever that means...) materials at these insane production levels.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Your very business model is reliant on a model of growth and excessive production that is incompatible with planetary limits.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Not to mention, the success of fast fashion is reliant on disposability. Fast fashion can only succeed by shoppers consistently buying, wearing (maybe), and discarding their clothes.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
#fastfashionsucks #payupfashion #payyourworkers⁠⁠
    🧵🌿 WHAT IS COLLABORATIVE DESIGN?. // We talk 🧵🌿 WHAT IS COLLABORATIVE DESIGN?. // We talk a lot about the disconnection we have with the makers behind what we buy...
.
But industrialization and mass production has also resulted in a disconnect between designer and maker. 
.
For truly ethical production, there must be an equal knowledge exchange between makers & designers in the design process, especially when artisans are using traditional techniques & generations-old crafts. 
.
But what does collaborative design look like in practice? And how does this type of collaboration support more sustainable and ethical production?
.
I’m interviewed Tatiana of @zuahaza to discuss these questions and much more! Tune in and let us know your thoughts. 💗
    🛏🪑🏡 As promised, the guide to non-toxic f 🛏🪑🏡 As promised, the guide to non-toxic furniture is here!⁠⁠
⁠⁠
For a big list of eco-friendly and non-toxic furniture brands, check out the link in bio!⁠⁠
    🛋 Is your furniture off-gassing toxic chemicals 🛋 Is your furniture off-gassing toxic chemicals? Here's what to know about volatile organic compounds in furniture and how to reduce your exposure in your home.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Top tip: Buying used furniture is a great way to reduce your exposure since the highest concentration of VOCs are off-gassed with newly manufactured furniture just out of the factory. (If you are looking for new furniture that’s safe though, stay tuned for a list of non-toxic furniture brands coming soon!)⁠⁠ 💚
    🏡 Are you familiar with sustainable interior de 🏡 Are you familiar with sustainable interior design?⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Unsurprisingly, the home goods & furniture industry has much of the same problems as fashion: labor exploitation, unsustainable production, and massive amounts of waste.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
But, there are ways to style our homes with intention, in a way that goes beyond aesthetics and considers the impact on people, planet, and our health.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Swipe through for five tips from Kelly of @gratify_home and check out the link in bio for the full guide to sustainable interior design! 🛋 ⁠⁠
    🌿 Carbon offsets are much more complicated than 🌿 Carbon offsets are much more complicated than they might first appear.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
So, I've partnered up with @simplizero to talk about what carbon offsetting can (and cannot!) do, what the risks are of offsetting schemes, and how to find reputable offsetting projects. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
For much more on this topic, read the full article. Link in bio!⁠⁠
⁠⁠
[sponsored] ⁠⁠
    We talk about the importance of living wages a lot We talk about the importance of living wages a lot in the ethical fashion space, but what does this actually mean?⁠⁠
⁠⁠
This question — and the question of "will increasing wages increase clothing prices?" — came up during last week's IG Live with Ayesha of @remakeourworld.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
These are both really common questions, so I wanted to dedicate an entire post to address them.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
For more on the topic of living wages in fashion, follow @asia_floorwage, @cleanclothescampaign, and @remakeourworld + check out the article linked in bio for a much bigger deep dive I wrote on consciouslifeandstyle.com.
⁠⁠
#LivingWagesNow #PayUpFashion⁠⁠
    Standing in solidarity with the Asian American com Standing in solidarity with the Asian American community and amplifying/re-sharing some resources for ways to take action to #stopasianhate.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Yesterday's horrific shooting in Atlanta was the most recent anti-Asian hate crime — crimes which have increased nearly 150% in 2020 and surged even higher in cities like New York, which saw an increase of 833%. [Source: Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism]⁠⁠
⁠⁠
The hate must end. Visit anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co for a list of resources (updates, educational content, petitions, places to donate, mental health resources, etc.) Link in bio.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Tags for resources listed: @apen4ej @stopaapihate @smithsonianapa @versian.co @unapologeticallyasian_ @goldhouseco @asianamericangirlclub @theycantburnusall @weareaanow @hateisavirus @nextshark @aapiwomenlead @asianaaf @stopaapihatenyc @asians4antiracism @asianamericancollective @advancing_justice_atl @aaajalc @napawf_atl⁠⁠ | posts are from @jezzchung @sophfei @kimsaira + @annie_wu_22 | cover image is from @nhiii
.
#StopAAPIHate #hateisavirus #racismkills #dismantleracism
    ➡ IG Live with @remakeourworld's Ayesha Barenbla ➡ IG Live with @remakeourworld's Ayesha Barenblat is happening in just a couple hours (9am PST / 12pm EST)!⁠⁠
⁠⁠
We'll be discussing:⁠⁠
⁠⁠
👗 Why garment worker representation is so crucial to creating a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry⁠⁠
⁠⁠
👚 What centering garment workers would look like in practice⁠⁠
⁠⁠
👗 Whether or not brand-led initiatives and industry commitments have really led to any tangible improvements in the lives of garment workers (and why that's the case)⁠⁠
⁠⁠
👚 What sorts of reforms will be necessary to truly improve the industry⁠⁠
⁠⁠
👗 How we can all get involved in creating a more equitable future for fashion⁠⁠
⁠⁠
See you soon!⁠⁠
    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    Join The Conscious Edit

    Footer

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • About
    • Contact
    Copyright © 2021 Conscious Life & Style LLC, Made by Underline DesignsBack to Top
    This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. We'll assume you're fine with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Got it! Reject Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled

    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

    Non-necessary

    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

    SAVE & ACCEPT