Setting the Table

Napkins
Nothing dresses up a table like cloth napkins. For a small group in an elegant sit-down setting, they can all match. Or for a more casual event, go with the festive look of colorful unmatched cloth squares.

Many upscale green restaurants, like Seattle’s gourmet vegetarian Cafe Flora, set a beautiful table and a good example.

At the end of the meal, just gather up the napkins and throw them in your next load of laundry.

Silverware
a. Re-usable stainless steel flatware
can be found at any thrift store, or at kitchen supply stores if you want a large quantity that matches. This may seem expensive compared to buying disposable plastic; but consider how many times you can use what you only had to buy once.

b. Re-usable utensils made from recycled plastic
Compared to disposable plastics, these look nicer, won’t break while you try to eat with them, and hold up to washing and drying over and over again.

c. Compostable plastic utensils.
Use them and toss them into the compost bin with the food waste at the end of the meal.

Plates, cups and bowls
Re-usables are great, if you can gather them up and wash them, and store them. If not, consider the range of compostable dishes available now. 

Cleaning Up

Recycle bottles and cans
If you are serving beverages from glass bottles and aluminum cans, set up a well-marked container for guests (or the caterer).

Food Waste
a. Compost.
Whether you have a municipal food waste program, or just a backyard compost bin, your food scraps don’t need to go into the garbage. Set up a well-marked container for your guests or caterer to put all the compostables into. A smart way to line this container is with a compostable plastic BioBag , so the whole bag can get neatly sent to the composter.

b. Put leftover food to good use.
Many local shelters and food banks will accept unused food if it is properly packaged, in large enough quantity, and delivered to them. For small quantities, consider taking appetizing leftovers to the office, or giving them to someone with a “will work for food” sign.

c. Reduce food waste
by serving dishes family style, so your guests can take what they want, not what happens to appear on their plate.