PaperlessKitchen Blog

PaperlessKitchen's Leafware Valentine's Day Contest!

Happy Almost Valentine's Day! We are really excited to announce the arrival of some fantastic new Leafware Plates! Just in time for Valentine's Day, we're excited to announce the arrival of the new Leafware Natural Palm Leaf Heart Shaped 6" Plates! These stylish, heart shaped plates are the perfect addition to your Valentine's Day meal. Serve your sides, appetizers or desserts on these disposable and compostable heart shaped plates and impress your Valentine with your sense of style and commitment to the environment.

Valentines Day Contest!

To celebrate Valentine's Day and the arrival of these fantastic plates, we are running a contest that we think you and your readers will love to participate in! We're offering 5 lucky winners the Leafware 6" Heart Shape Plates - 25 Pack for their Valentine's Day needs! You have two chances to win: go to contest.paperlesskitchen.com/valentines or submit to our Instagram contest!

Here's your two chances to enter (and increase your chances to win by entering both!):

1) Go to contest.paperlesskitchen.com/valentines and fill out your e-mail to enter the contest. We even offer Leafware prizes when you refer friends to the contest! (More info on referring friends below).

2) Enter our Instagram Hashtag Contest:
To enter, simply follow these instructions:
- Visit our Instagram Hashtag Contest here
- Follow @paperlesskitchen on Instagram
- Instagram a nature picture and tag it with #welovethisplanet

Want to get some free Leafware Products? Refer a Friend to the Valentine's Contest and Get Free Leafware Products!

After you've joined our contest at contest.paperlesskitchen.com/valentines, you'll receive a unique link you can share with friends. Share your unique referral link via e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter and get Leafware products when they sign up! 

Once you enter the contest and get your unique referral code, you can share the contest with your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc!

Here's the breakdown of what you can earn in terms of free Leafware products from us!

• Refer 10 Friends & get the Leafware Sample Kit
• Refer 25 Friends and get the PaperlessKitchen Leafware Value Pack
• Get 50 friends friends to enter to unlock the Grand Prize, the Leafware Party Pack! 

Goodluck from all of us at PaperlessKitchen! And have fun!

New York City: A Step in the Green Direction

Here at Paperless Kitchen, we know the harm that styrofoam and plastic containers have on the environment. But we have great news! New York City has decided to ban styrofoam containers as of July 1st, 2015 in an effort to reduce non-recyclable waste! You will no longer find these kinds of containers in restaurants, food carts, cafes, delis or any other place! 

On Dec. 31, 2014, Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia sent a letter to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio that concluded there is no way to properly recycle polystyrene materials and therefore a ban is the only next logical step. Since styrofoam never decomposes it makes up one of the biggest pollutants in our waterways and oceans today. 

"These products cause real environmental harm and have no place in New York City,” de Blasio said in a statement Thursday. “We have better options, better alternatives, and if more cities across the country follow our lead and institute similar bans, those alternatives will soon become more plentiful and will cost less.” 

Paperless Kitchen carries a variety of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and styrofoam containers and we are excited to see what safe, eco-friendly products vendors chose to utilize when the ban is put into place.

Innovations in eco-friendly products have provided us with so many options such as Leafware Dinnerware, Susty Party and Bamboo Studio. Plates, bowls, containers, cups and more can now be created from fallen palm leaves, bamboo, sugar cane and even tapioca starch. 

Coming up: Styrofoam contains will also be banned next year in the District of Columbia under a law signed by then-D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray. We are so happy to see lawmakers take an interest in saving the planet. 

Read more about the ban at the following links:

Washington Post

Huffington Post 

Green New Year's Resolutions for 2015!

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 TIPS FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is that special time of the year when we remember to be thankful! Thankful for our family, friends and of course for our planet! With the countless meals and family gatherings this holiday season, it is easy to generate a lot of waste. Here are some great tips that will help you create an eco-friendly Thanksgiving! Let's celebrate how thankful we are for the planet by utilizing these simple ways to save it! 

1) Use environmentally friendly decorations. Gourds, pumpkins and pinecones can be used to create beautiful centerpieces for your Thanksgiving table. Creating these centerpieces can be a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy.

2) When shopping for your Thanksgiving meal, try to shop locally if possible. Contact your local butcher and ask about purchasing a USDA certified organic, free-range turkey this holiday season. This is a great way to support sustainable farming and your local economy. Eatwellguide.org is a great way to find local restaurants, food stores and farms in your area that carry certified organic products.  

3) Serve dessert or appetizers in this adorable set by Yumi Eco Solutions. This eco-friendly tray features 6 removal teardrop-serving pieces that can be used together or independently. This tray is a great way to serve snacks to guests and can be used for hot or cold foods!

4) At Paperless Kitchen, we offer countless ways for you to still utilize the disposable option without harming the environment. We carry a variety of eco-friendly cups, plates, bowls, trays and utensils! Consider using our Leafware Dinnerware or Susty Party Supplies this holiday season. The Leafware Party Pack is especially perfect for large family gatherings!

5) Setting the table isn’t complete without napkins for your guests but this year ditch the paper napkins and switch to an eco-friendly alternative. The cloth napkins by MyDrap will perfectly complete your place settings and wow your guests, especially when they hear that they're using disposable napkins. The MyDrap napkins may feel just like ordinary lightweight cloth napkins but these handy disposables are completely biodegradable and also recyclable. Clean up is quick, easy and guilt free with this disposable option!

6) Serve your meal on these eco-friendly Trivets by Toockies. These beautiful Trivets are woven by hand from 100 percent organic jute. They are beautiful, elegant and best of all eco-friendly!

7) Clean up is easy with Paperless Kitchen! With the Bambooee Perforated Bamboo Towels you can skip the ordinary paper towels for this eco-friendly, reusable alternative. Made from certified organic bamboo, a sustainable source, the Bambooee Towels are also strong, absorbent and durable.

 

8) Have a designated recycling bin for guests! This makes it easy for them to properly recycle your eco-friendly dinnerware and napkins.

9) Consider dimming the lights this Thanksgiving and using soy candles to light your Thanksgiving meal. We recommend Mrs. Myers Soy Candle in Iowa Pine.  Not only will it help save on electricity but it offers your guests an intimate setting to enjoy this special time with family and friends!

10) Have a happy, beautiful and sustainable Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving From Paperless Kitchen!!!

Introducing the Leafware Value Pack! Sold Exclusively at PaperlessKitchen!

Do you love eco-friendly disposable Leafware plates as much as we do? We are proud to announce that we now carry a convenient Value Pack featuring your favorite Leafware products! This Value Pack is a brand new addition to our website and is Sold Exclusively at Paperless Kitchen! We are excited to exclusively offer our customers this incredible value so they can enjoy countless eco-friendly meals at a great price.

Leafware has become a beautiful, eco-friendly addition to our dinnertime routine. This value pack is great for the home that loves Leafware so much they want to use it everyday.

This value pack is especially perfect for upcoming holiday gatherings. Whether it is your delicious Thanksgiving dinner or that special brunch on Christmas morning, Leafware 10" Square Plates and Leafware 9"x 6" Trays are the perfect addition to your holiday celebration. These disposable plates and trays will make clean up easy, so you can focus on more important things like friends, family and making beautiful memories.

Our Leafware 9”x6” Trays are ideal for serving appetizers to your guests or even using them to serve a delicious side dish. These trays truly are a beautiful addition to any party or gathering! Picture an assortment of appetizers displayed beautifully on these eco-friendly plates- a sight that is sure to impress your guests! These trays also work great for buffet style dining.

Our Leafware 10” Square Party Plates are the perfect size to serve your main course with plenty of room for delicious side dishes! These dishes are more durable than paper plates and extremely stylish. The best part is that they are fully disposable, making clean up easy! Now you can enjoy your own party without worrying about hours of clean up after your guests leave. With Leafware plates, clean up is easy, quick and guilt free! 

Leafware dishes are strong, stylish and eco-friendly. These exquisitely crafted plates and trays are made from fallen palm tree leaves that are skillfully harvested, dried, cleaned and then pressed. These guilt free disposable plates and trays are all natural, compostable and biodegradable!

Included in the PaperlessKitchen Leafware Value Pack:

• Leafware 10" Square Party Plates (25 count)
• Leafware 9"x 6" Trays - 25 Count

With so many different ways to utilize this Value Pack, it is truly a must have for any green home. From catered events such as weddings and Sweet 16's to intimate home gatherings with friends, this value pack will be an elegant addition no matter the occasion. 

Get your Leafware Value Pack today! Sold Exclusively at PaperlessKitchen!

10 Tips For an Eco-Friendly Halloween

1) This Halloween, pay close attention to the candy you are giving out. Wegmans, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods carry a huge supply of organic candy! If possible, buy locally to support your local economy.

2) Choose candy and other sweets that have wrappers that can be recycled. Make sure to recycle all wrappers from your fun night of candy eating!

3) Use dishes, cups and utensils that are eco-friendly! Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you have to give up those convenient disposable plates! We carry disposable plates, bowls and utensils that will make clean up easy at any Halloween party. Leafware dinnerware is the disposable option you can feel good about!

4) Make your own Halloween costume! Shop your local thrift stores to create your perfect up cycled Halloween costume!   

       

6) Give out your candy this year in an eco-friendly bowl! We think our Yumi Salad Bowl in Pistachio Green is perfect for Halloween candy!

7) Carry a small garbage bag with you while you trick or treat! Pick up any candy wrappers other trick or treaters may have left behind!

8) Make your own fake blood! There are a ton of recipes online that use everyday ingredients. Skip the chemicals this year and grab the cornstarch and tropical fruit punch!

 9) Trick or Treat with a reusable bag! A pillowcase works great! 

 10) Have fun and make lasting memories!

Leafware Dinnerware: The Eco-Friendly Disposable Alternative to Paper Plates!

Paperless Kitchen loves Leafware dinnerware! This unique line of disposable plates, bowls, trays and utensils is the perfect eco-friendly alternative to paper dinnerware products.

Leafware is perfect for eco-friendly date night! The plates look beautiful and clean up is so easy. You can feel confident that these plates are disposable, biodegradable and compostable!

These exquisitely crafted plates are made from fallen palm tree leaves. After the leaves are dried and sterilized, they are molded into these perfectly shaped square plates without any chemicals or adhesives added to the mix.

Leafware plates are the perfect addition to this Farmer’s Market dinner! These fashionable plates will surely impress your guests! 

The plates are made only from natural materials, meaning that they are biodegradable. Leafware plates are even suitable for composting and are accepted at many commercial composting facilities.

Leafware dinnerware is far more stylish than traditional paper products because of its unique materials. Sturdy and leak-resistant, this dinnerware is an excellent alternative to paper, plastic and Styrofoam counterparts.

Perfect for picnics, barbecues, holiday parties and even for a day on the boat!

These plates are our favorite go to disposable option for a variety of reasons!

We even use these guilt free disposable plates for our night of painting!

 Whatever the occasion, Leafware are the perfect option for eco-friendly disposable dinnerware!

 Head over to our Facebook Page and leave us pictures of you using your Leafware products! We would love to see your beautiful meals, picnics, parties and more!

Interested in trying Leafware? The Leafware Sample Kit is the perfect way to give this awesome disposable dinnerware a try!

To serve meals, salads, sides, soups and desserts, you'll get two 10" Leafware Dinner Plates , two 9" Leafware Lunch Plates, two 7" Leafware Salad Plates, two 5" Leafware Dessert Plates, two 3.5" Leafware Single Bite Plates, two 7" Round Bowls and two 5" Deep Square Bowls. Two 9" by 6" trays are also included. 

http://www.paperlesskitchen.com/products/leafware-sample-kit

Leafware is truly a must have for any green kitchen!!

Paperless Kitchen Introduces Yumi!

At Paperless Kitchen, we are always searching for the best eco-friendly products on the market. We are so excited to announce that we now carry Yumi Nature+™ and Yumi Return® products. These extraordinary products are an invaluable addition to your paperless kitchen. These products are perfect for picnics, parties and even everyday use! Yumi provides the perfect balance of style and functionality and you won’t want to use anything else!

Yumi Nature+™ products are the perfect "green" solutions for home, office or restaurant. These products are created from renewable bamboo fiber and they are durable, non-toxic and melamine free. Yumi Nature+™ products are made with revolutionary technology, which coverts bamboo fibers into a material that is sturdy and sustainable, unlike harsh petroleum-based plastics. Yumi Nature+™ will hold up to years of everyday use.

Features of Yumi Nature+™

• 100% Melamine Free
• Made from Bamboo Fibers
• Petroleum Free
• Reusable
• Can be used for hot or cold foods
• Dishwasher Safe
• Not microwavable

We offer a variety of bowls, plates, utensils, trays and even ice cream scoops! Yumi Nature+™ is a must have for any green kitchen! Available in a variety of colors to keep your kitchen bright and stylish!

Yumi Nature+™ will be a hit at your next dinner party! Whether you are looking for that pop of bright color or an elegant subtle style, Yumi has it all!

The second line of Yumi products we carry is called Yumi Return®. These revolutionary products are the perfect eco-friendly alternative to your plastic dinnerware. Yumi Return® are created from natural starch and are biodegradable, compostable, renewable and sustainable. They truly are “the throw away that goes away”®. These plates, cups, bowls and utensils are great for use with hot foods, sauces and oils.

 Features of Yumi Return®.

-Sustainable
-Biodegradable
-Compostable
-Renewable
-Made from Natural Starch
-Microwave Safe

Yumi Return® plates are available in a variety of colors! They are so durable that you will hardly believe they are disposable plates! These plates are ideal for large family gatherings, holiday parties or simply everyday use!

The accompanying cups and utensils complete your eco-friendly gathering!

Yumi Return® is the perfect solution to those wasteful plastic products!

Why switch to Yumi products? What’s so bad about plastics anyway?

Did you know:

• Every year, several billion tons of plastic are dumped in landfills across the United States
• Plastics make up 15% of all solid waste in landfills
• Traditional plastics contain toxins and can be harmful to your health
• Plastics can last 1,000 years or more after they are thrown away

It’s time to make the switch to a greener kitchen today! Our line of Yumi products allows you to have a safe, environmentally friendly kitchen! Happy Shopping!

How to Plan an Eco-Friendly Fall Picnic!

As summer starts to fade away, we know that summer barbecues are going to quickly be replaced with fall picnics. Picture you and a loved one picnicking in the park surrounded by the cool breeze while watching as the leaves slowly fall to the ground. Fall picnics are a great activity for the whole family and while it may seem hard to have an eco-friendly picnic, here at Paperless Kitchen we carry just the items you need to create your perfect day.

Of course, you’ll need dinnerware to enjoy the lovey food you’ve prepared. Our Leafware Collection is just what you need! Plates, bowls, forks, knives and more! These eco-friendly dishes are created from fallen palm leaves and will be an elegant addition to your picnic.

Ditch the Ziploc bags and give our sandwich bags a try! By using this LunchSkin reusable bag , you'll cut down on your own waste and help to make a difference. This bag is non-toxic and dishwasher safe. Available in a variety of stylish designs!

Now that you’ve enjoyed your lovely meal it is clean up time! Paperless Kitchen can help make this easy and eco-friendly! We recommend bringing along Bambooee Perforated Bamboo Towels as a great alternative to traditional paper towels! In addition, don’t forget to pack Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Surface Wipes for easy clean up.

The staff here at Paperless Kitchen wishes you a wonderful end of summer and a beautiful beginning of fall!

Spring Green Cleaning: Kitchen Counter Tops and Sink

If you've been following along with our Spring Green Cleaning series, your kitchen is getting greener and cleaner. This time, we'll focus on getting your counter tops and sink clean and disinfected the green way.

What You'll Need:

Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Nontoxic Cleaning Wipes (optional)

Nontoxic Sink Cleaner

Eco-Friendly Sponge 

1. Use a microfiber cleaning cloth and water to wipe down your counter tops. e-Cloth has a number of cloths that are perfect for this purpose. If you have formica counters, go for the Kitchen Cleaning Cloth. You can also find specialty cloths for stainless steel and granite.

2. While the e-Cloth does remove up to 99 percent of all bacteria, I like to run over the areas where I cut up food with Eat Cleaner Produce Wipes after I do my initial cleaning to ensure that I've fully eliminated bacteria. This optional step is up to you.

3. Use a nontoxic sink cleaner like Better Life Kitchen Sink Cleansing Scrub

and an eco-friendly sponge like the Twist Naked Sponge

to wipe out your sink and the faucet and handles.

4. Rinse the sink with warm water.

5. Pat yourself on the back for having an even cleaner, greener kitchen!