Dinnerware Made From Leaves

Not only is this dinnerware easy on the eyes, but it's made from nothing more than fallen leaves and water.

Yup, you heard me right. When I first spotted these VerTerra dishes on Treehugger, I actually thought they were made from wood. But not one tree is cut down to make these uber-green dishes. They're nontoxic, biodegradable and manufactured by a company who prides themselves on their fair wages and safe working environments.

Still, one question came to mind: Can they hold liquids without disintegrating? Manufactured with nothing more than steam, heat and high pressure, it seemed unlikely. But VerTerra claims these mighty little plates can hold water and soup, and can withstand the microwave and even the oven (up to 350 degrees). Although the dinnerware is porous and likely unwashable, VerTerra says that many customers leave comments on their site saying that they do reuse them.

The downside? Well, the cost. Being disposable, they aren't cheap (although this sample pack is only $25 bucks!). A set of 10" plates (96 plates are included) is $97. If you are interested in throwing an environmentally friendly party, VerTerra also has a nifty party calculator to help you estimate the damage.