Frequently Asked Questions

About the products

1. What are your plates made of? Our plates and bowls are made from naturally fallen palm leaves, cleaned with water, steam-treated and heat-pressed into shape — with no chemicals, dyes, glue, wax or plastic coating. Our dessert leaf plates are made from fallen sea grape leaves, our cutlery is birch wood, and our bowls in the Coconut collection are handmade from coconut shells.

2. Why does every plate look a little different? Because each one is a real leaf. Color, grain and small natural marks vary from plate to plate — that's what gives them their wood-like look. A light, natural leaf smell is also normal.

3. Can they handle hot, oily or saucy food? Yes. Palm-leaf plates are thick and rigid, so they hold hot entrées, grilled meat, pasta, curries and oily dishes through a full meal without going soggy or bending like paper. Sauces and dressings are fine during the meal, but don't leave soups or liquids standing in them for hours or overnight. Sea grape leaf plates are thinner and are best for desserts, appetizers and dry foods.

4. Can I microwave them? Palm-leaf plates can be used to briefly reheat food in the microwave (about 1–2 minutes). They're made for serving, not cooking — don't use them in the oven, under a broiler, on a stovetop or grill, or in a dishwasher. Coconut bowls are different: they are reusable, so hand-wash only and keep them out of the microwave, dishwasher and extreme heat.

5. What sizes do you offer? - Dinner plates: 10" round, 10" square (regular and deep), 9.5" square - Salad / dessert plates: 7" square, 7" sea grape leaf, 6" heart, 6" square, 6" round - Bowls: 5" and 6" square/round bowls - Specialty: 12"x7" oval, 6"x10" rectangle, 6"x9" triangle, 10"x14" deep tray, 4"x6" dessert plates Exact sizes are listed in each product's title.

Planning your event

6. How many guests does a pack serve? Plan one dinner plate per guest, plus a dessert/side plate if you're serving cake or appetizers. Most of our sets are built for 10, 25, 50 or 100 guests — for example, "25 Round Plates (10") + 75 Utensils" serves 25 people (one fork, knife and spoon each). We recommend ordering about 10% extra for second helpings and serving dishes. Not sure? Use our Party Planner: enter your guest count and it builds your table.

7. How long does shipping take, and how much does it cost? We ship from Los Angeles, California, within the U.S. only. Orders ship within 1–2 business days (Monday–Friday; order by 12 PM Pacific Time to start processing the same day). Delivery then usually takes 1–3 business days to the West Coast, 2–5 to the Central U.S. and 3–7 to the East Coast with FedEx or USPS (estimates, not guaranteed). To the 48 contiguous states, shipping is free on orders of $100+ (after discounts) and a $9.95 flat rate under $100. Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories have a flat $24.95 rate (free shipping doesn't apply). Need it fast for an event? Rush shipping is available on request — contact us before ordering and we'll quote it; you pay only the difference. See our Shipping Policy.

8. When should I order for my wedding or event? We recommend ordering at least 2 weeks before your event — or 3 weeks for 300+ guests or during peak season (May–October wedding season, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Cutting it close? Email us your event date and ZIP code before ordering and we'll tell you honestly if we can make it.

9. Do you have larger packs for big events? Yes — you can order large packs right on the site, including 100-piece plate sets, 300-piece cutlery sets, and up to 1,000 sea grape plates. For large event orders, contact us at ecoeleganttableware@gmail.com.

After the party

10. How do I compost them? Our palm-leaf plates are 100% natural and home-compostable. Scrape off leftovers, break larger plates into pieces to speed things up, and add them to your home compost pile or your city's green-waste/food-scrap bin (check local rules). Palm leaves, sea grape leaves and birch wood are all plant-based and break down naturally. Breakdown time depends on your compost — heat, moisture and how small the pieces are.

11. Can I reuse them? Palm-leaf and sea grape plates are designed for one use. If a plate was only used for dry food (like cookies or bread), you can wipe it and reuse it, but we don't recommend washing them. Coconut bowls are fully reusable.

Orders & returns

12. What is your return policy? You can return unused items within 30 days of delivery — opened packs are fine. Email us first and we'll send you the return address and instructions; return shipping is paid by the customer. If anything arrives damaged or wrong, send us photos within 7 days and we'll replace or refund it at no cost to you. See our Refund Policy.

13. Can I change or cancel my order? Yes, if it hasn't shipped yet — email us as soon as possible with your order number. Once it has shipped, our return policy applies.

14. How do I contact you? Email ecoeleganttableware@gmail.com or call or text (818) 968-0822, Monday–Saturday, 9 AM – 6 PM Pacific Time. Or use the form on our Contact page. We're based in Los Angeles, California (online store only).