Green Kitchen: Eco-Friendly Dishes

This week we’re looking at green kitchen dishes and cookware. Yesterday we learned about Eco-Friendly Pots & Pans. Today we’ll look at basic dishes – plate, bowls, etc.

Avoid lead: Toxic lead in the human body is very dangerous, and especially so to small children and babies. The FDA does regulate things like lead and cadmium levels in dishes here in the U.S. but they don’t catch everything. To avoid lead dangers in your dishes do the following:

• When you purchase new dishes, see if there’s a registration card offered and use it to sign up for safety notices.
• Never store food in antique dishes.
• Avoid imported ceramic dishes.
• If you like to purchase dishes from thrift stores, or have old dishes around your house, then learn how to test your current dishes for lead.
• Never store liquids in lead crystal glasses or bottles
• Pregnant women, children, and babies should not drink from lead crystal bottles or cups.

Best safe and green dishes to choose:

• Recycled glass dishes, plain old glass dishes, stoneware, and ceramic dishes made in the U.S.
• Buy local.
• Buy from handcrafters and companies who have eco-ethics.
• Bamboo dishes.
• Sustainable wood dishes with non-toxic finishes.
• Stainless steel dishes – extra points for recycled.
• If you MUST use disposable dishes, choose recycled and biodegradable disposable dishes.