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 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. Or, check out a site like Etsy Used or Chairish.
*Very important note on used dinnerware: the FDA started regulating the use of lead in dinnerware in 1971. So avoid using or buying any dinnerware produced before 1971!
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 Values: you may have other elements you look for in a brand, such as traditional craft preservation.
Where to Find Eco-Friendly Dinnerware
The eco-friendly tableware and 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!
This article features affiliates and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. 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: Drinking Glasses, Bowls, Plates
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, Gives Back, WOC-Owned
Price Range: $$$
2. Zungleboo
Lightweight, shatterproof, and made from corn starch + bamboo fiber, Zungleboo creates family-friendly and eco-friendly dinnerware!
Their versatile plant-based bowls and plates are also dishwasher and microwave safe.
Categories: Bowls, Plates
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, WOC-Owned
Price Range: $$
Use code CONSCIOUS15 for 15% off!
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: $$
4. The Little Market
At this ethical online store, you’ll find fair trade dinnerware — from acacia wood charcuterie boards to sustainable ceramics with fun prints.
Whether you’re looking for party-ready serving ware or everyday essentials, The Little Market has you covered.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Glassware
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Practices, Quality Natural Materials
Price Range: $$
5. 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 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: $$$
6. East Fork
East Fork’s ethically-made dinnerware and tableware is next level — their gorgeous sustainable ceramics, glassware, mugs, and other goods are exquisitely designed and built for durability.
Committed to creating local manufacturing jobs, all of East Fork’s eco-friendly pottery is made in Asheville, North Carolina and is working to center equity and inclusion throughout their business.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Drinking Glasses, Flatware/Silverware,
Conscious Qualities: Locally-Made, Transparent Production
Price Range: $$$$
7. Newly
A certified B-Corp, Newly is a sustainability-minded company creating goods from 100% recycled materials. That means cups and vases mouth-blown from recycled glass and serving/cutting boards crafted out of reclaimed wood. Newly’s eco-friendly tableware and dinnerware are also made with exceptional attention to quality and built to last.
Categories: Drinking Glasses, Pitchers, Serving Boards
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Materials, B-Corp
Price Range: $$
8. Middle Kingdom
Rooted in rich heritage and honoring traditional artistry, Middle Kingdom’s porcelain dinnerware is made with exceptional care in the ancient kiln city of Jingdezhen, China.
To ensure they’re producing only the highest quality sustainable pottery, 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: $$$
9. Ames
Founded by native Colombian Ana María Calderon Kayser, Ames is an artisan-made home decor brand collaborating with local Colombian craftspeople to bring their handmade goods to a broader market. Each exceptionally designed and richly hued piece is made using traditional techniques and natural materials like palm fibers and terracotta.
Categories: Plates, Trays, Placemats
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Craft Preservation, WOC-Owned
Price Range: $$$$
10. Slash Objects
Slash Objects creates eco home decor pieces — including sustainable tabletop pieces — made from entirely post-consumer recycled rubber sourced from U.S. manufacturers. The women-owned company produces all of their products in Brooklyn and ensures living wages for all.
Categories: Placemats, Coasters
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Materials, Local Production
Price Range: $ – $$
11. The Bright Angle
At first glance, The Bright Angle has stunning porcelain dinnerware — and when you look deeper, the story behind the products is even more beautiful.
Each piece — from the brand’s sustainable mugs to timeless vases — is made by makers earning living wages in Asheville, North Carolina. And the brand sources their raw natural materials for their porcelain locally from the North Carolina mountains.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Mugs, Olive Oil Bottles
Conscious Qualities: Handcrafted, Locally Made, Ethical Production
Price Range: $$$
12. Fable New York
Made from organic bamboo, non-GMO corn starch, and food-grade melamine binding, Fable New York’s eco-friendly dinnerware is as durable as it is aesthetically pleasing.
Plus, their colorful bamboo plates are dishwasher safe (though not microwave safe).
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Tumblers
Conscious Qualities: Locally-Made, Transparent Production
Price Range: $$
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
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