Having the green team at your next affair.

• Position: VerTerra, Ltd. - What's New? - Brief article

When it comes to entertaining, especially for larger gatherings, it's hard to keep up a greener lifestyle. Out of sheer necessity, disposable plates and bowls must be used, and the most common ones, comprised of plastic or paper, are not particularly eco-friendly. Aside from being manufactured from nonrenewable resources, they show a significant presence in our landfills.

Intrigued by the sight of a woman in rural India soaking leaves in water, pressing them in a waffle iron, and then serving food on the newly-created plate, the founder of VerTerra, Ltd., Long Island City, N.Y., refined that idea to fashion a line of stylish and all-natural single-use dinnerware.

Made only of fallen palm leaves that normally would be burned, VerTerra products are made in South Asia, using steam, heat, and pressure to form durable products that are biodegradable and will compost naturally in two months. They offer no heat transference and maintain their shape when in contact with hot substances. The line is microwave-safe for up to two minutes on high and oven-safe for up to 45 minutes at 350 degrees, and plates can be stored in the...