GreenBusiness
Reducing Waste By “Okaeri Plate” . New Alternatives to Disposable Packaging
GreenBusiness
Have you ever wished for a stylish alternative to the old, flimsy paper plates at barbecues or buffet parties? Well, WASARA have come up with just the thing. At a glance, you wouldn’t guess they were made of paper, and in fact, the ingredients they are made of are not wood based, and are biodegradable, making them environmentally friendly.
Non-wood based biodegradable paper?! That’s right. WASARA are made from reeds, bamboo, and bagasse (a byproduct of cane sugar) pulp. Both reeds and bamboo are very resilient, fast growing plants, and bagasse, while being perfect for making paper, is often discarded as an unwanted byproduct. WASARA uses these available resources efficiently as a way of conserving the limited resources we have. During their life cycle, the plates give us the pleasure of using a well-designed, stylish eco plate, and as they biodegrade, they in turn provide nutrients to new life.
One thing that warrants special mention is their stylish design. The square plates above are not only pleasing to the eye, but are also stable, and have a nice, smooth finish unlike traditional paper plates. The attention to detail make them almost too well made to use, let alone throw away!
The WASARA designs draw on traditional Japanese aesthetics and values. Japan has a very refined food culture, with dishes and plates to match. There are different foods for each season, and also different dishes to complement this rich culture. While WASARA may be made of paper, they are a modern example of this traditional aesthetic.
Prior to release in August, the plates débuted at the Toyako Summit in July, and have featured in other exhibitions in Tokyo, becoming quite the talk of the town. They are currently available for purchase at interior design shops, department stores, and also through the online shop, where an ever-increasing range of styles is available.
With the new stylish design, WASARA has turned the traditional concept of disposable plates on its head. Pick one up, and feel the difference.
This article is translated from the original Japanese post
2010-08-01today
2010-10-0363 days left
2010-07-19ended.

A selection of classic greenz.jp articles. See why they are so popular!
SustainableCommunity
LEED versus CASBEE: A Comparison Between Two Green Building Certification Systems
SustainableCommunity
CulturalCreative
GreenBusiness
GreenBusiness
GreenBusiness
CulturalCreative
CulturalCreative
SustainableCommunity
Roof Gardens: A Smart Solution for Japan’s Dense Neighborhoods