Thanks to Eco My Party across the pond in the UK, there are alternatives to styrofoam plates and plastic cups and utensils. Not only are the products sustainable, but they’re ethically produced, fair traded and biodegradable. Even the packing they ship it in is totally recyclable, including the tape on the box. Check out the party essentials list:

• bamboo plates
• biodegradable balloons
• wooden cutlery
• compostable cups
• recycled paper napkins

Heck I’d get the bamboo serving bowls and use them all the time, not just for parties. From the Eco My Party site:

“Ethically made from organic bamboo, the bowls combine modern design with traditional bamboo craftsmanship. Each bowl is hand coiled and shaped by families living in rural communities in Vietnam, to supplement their farming income. The skill of coiling and carving bamboo bowls is a centuries-old craft unique to Vietnam.”

Via the fantastic MATTER blog.