We’re going off topic today. No perfume reviews to be had. No body products or cosmetics will be discussed. Instead, let’s talk about plates, cutlery and cloths shall we? I’ve never reviewed anything like this on Scent Hive, but I was approached by the people at myEARTH360.com to check out their green line of picnic-ware, and after perusing their website it seemed like a practical review for the blog. So let’s get to it!

Verterra Dinnerware

It seems like plates are a real bugger when it comes to eco-friendly outdoor eating. You simply can’t recycle paper plates. The ones that are wipeable are impregnated with plastic rendering them un-recyclable, and the untreated ones get soiled leaving them un-recyclable as well. So either you throw them away, or get a reusable/recyclable option. Of course you can use what you have which is always preferable, but if you are looking for a lightweight, sustainable option, check out “Dinnerware from Fallen Leaves”. Verterra plates are made from fallen palm leaves and are processed without chemicals, lacquers, or bonding agents. I was sent one plate and have used it several times, washed it, and even put it in the microwave. (They are microwave safe).  It’s held up nicely with just a few scratches showing, and my guess is that it would stand up to a summer’s worth of use, if not longer. And you can feel über-green about your purchase because when you have finally beaten your Verterra plate to a pulp and need to toss it, you can compost it if you do so in your household, and if you don’t, it will biodegrade in the landfill unlike that melamine plate from Target.

Aspenware WÜN

What’s WÜN? Wooden Utensils Naturally of course! And like Verterra, these forks, knives and spoons are compostable and biodegradable. But most importantly, as long as you don’t chew on them after your meal is done, reusable as well. As for function, the knife is the clear winner. I don’t think it could cut a steak, but it does the job of any standard butter knife. The fork is a little awkward, but picks up food just fine. As for the spoon, well… don’t expect to be slurping gazpacho out of it. It’s more like a fork without the tines. I was thinking it would be perfect for spreading jam. So the WÜN, I’m a little lukewarm about. If you’re at home and eating in the backyard, I say use the utensils you’ve got, even if they’re plastic. My mom has plastic forks and knives that she’s been using for at least 15-20 years and I don’t see them ever dying. If you don’t want to lug heavy cutlery to the park or camping and need to buy something new, give WÜN a try. See if they work for you. They’re made from logs that were cut down during logging and would have been left to rot otherwise, so once again, you can put on that green halo and feel all warm and fuzzy while you picnic.

SKOY Earth Friendly Cloth

Here’s the item I’m really excited about! (Is it weird that I’m excited about a cleaning cloth)? These all natural, 100% biodegradable SKOY cloths are fantastic. I’d kicked the paper towel habit years ago without much difficulty, but I always have a roll of paper towels on hand, just in case. I hardly ever used them, until I had two kids. Two boys I should say. Now that they are getting older, and even messier, I find myself reaching for the paper towels more and more. I need to stop. I have also been wanting an alternative to the sponge. Most sponges are made from polyurethane, a petrochemical, and the natural ones turn moldy within weeks. Enter the SKOY cloth, a paper towel-sponge hybrid made from a cotton and wood-pulp cellulose blend. It looks like a thick, shrunken paper towel, but handles the job of a sponge. You can clean it in the dishwasher, disinfect it while it’s wet in the microwave (for 1-2 minutes) or stick it in the washing machine. I have not had it for more than a week, so I can’t yet comment on whether or not it gets moldy like a natural sponge does, but since it’s much thinner and less porous, I’m hoping it does not. It also gets points for the cuteness factor, I love the simple flower design.

Which leads me to flowers, scent, and perfume. I can’t help it. What’s your favorite fragrance for a picnic? Today, I’m picking Strange Invisible Perfumes‘ Magazine Street. I treated myself to bottle while I was in LA at the end of July and am really enjoying how the vanilla opens up in the warmer weather. The sweet magnolia and grassy vetiver play well together and make for a flirtatious, and sexy summertime scent. Perfect for making your picnic a little more interesting.

my360EARTH.com discount for Scent Hive readers. Enter HIVE10 at check out to receive 10% off your first purchase. See the website for clothes, jewelry, baby bottles and sippy cups, as well as the above items. Promo good until Wednesday August 19, 2009.

Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe by Edouard Manet 1963 on Shafe.co.uk