The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
10 best kids’ eco-friendly plates that are good for the planet too
Every parent knows we must lead by example, so look for plastic-free and biodegradable materials such as bamboo
Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts
Sign up for our free IndyBest email
Sign up for our free IndyBest email
We all want the best for our children, and by teaching them from a young age about sustainability and caring for our planet, it helps to prepare the next generation. While you may think about teaching children the importance of recycling, or choosing the fabrics we clothe them in carefully, have you considered how eco-friendly the plates they’re eating off of are?
The good news is that many children’s brands are dedicated to keeping products as planet friendly as possible, and that goes for tableware too.
But what materials should we be looking out for? Always aim for as natural as possible, bamboo is organic, recyclable, biodegradable, grown and harvested without the use of pesticides so gets a big tick from us.
You’ll often find melamine in tableware products too. It’s an organic-based, nitrogen-rich compound, which is durable, fire and heat resistant and hugely robust, making it outlast plastic options.
The other player is silicone which isn’t necessarily known for its eco credentials, however, when it comes to the environment, silicone is highly durable and more ocean friendly than plastic. It is made from silica found in sand, and is much longer lasting than plastic.
Beyond scrutinizing the materials used, we – along with the help of our two-year-old and four-year-old reviewers – tested a range of kids’ plate sets, with a keen eye on practicality such as sections for young eaters, or giving extra points for clever hacks like a suction mechanism to keep the plate in place, and whether it can be bunged in the dishwasher.
We also weighed up the price points as eco doesn’t have to cost the earth, and also considered if the plate sets are appealing to the little diners eating off them.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The verdic: Kids’ eco-friendly plates
Lassig’s garden-inspired plate keeps its green by using natural materials but also keeps it convenient with the option of bunging it in the dishwasher after use, which is a big tick for parents. Our little reviewers loved the illustrations and at less than £7 it’s purse-friendly too. For those battling baby-led weaning, Eco Rascal’s Bamboo Tableware Suction and Section Plate is a super smart sustainable choice.