Free yourself from the tyranny of "disposable" plastic utensils with this wonderful set! Savor eating with chopsticks, a fork, a spoon, and a butter knife made of sustainable, durable, biodegradable bamboo. The holder is sewn by WEAVE, a women's cooperative on the Thai-Burma border, and this purchase contributes to their empowerment.

I wholeheartedly hate "throwaway" utensils, which I never want to use (with all the reports about the dangers of plasticware) or throw away (the landfills are already full enough). Their production creates dioxins and other toxic chemicals, and their ubiquitousness promotes a consumer culture in which we're told that it's fine to use something once and then throw it away. This splendid set of utensils encourages a nurturing culture, one in which we acknowledge our impact on the world and are simultaneously aware that there are times when we will be eating away from our house. Carry a set in your purse, your briefcase, your backpack, your glovebox or bike panniers, etc. Give them as gifts to friends or family, use them as prizes for sustainability contests, cooking competitions, or school spelling bees, talk them up among everyone you know -- it's an easy step to take to eliminate so much waste and cause so much enjoyment.

The flatware and chopsticks are heat and stain resistant, safe to use on non-stick surfaces (they won't impart or absorb flavors), lightweight, strong and long lasting, and hand-finished with top grade natural, food-safe wood oil. The set is approximately 10.5 inches long. Choose from Red, Black, and PurpleBrown.

The fabric components are made by WEAVE, a Fair Trade women's cooperative on the Thai-Burma border working with Karen craftswomen living in refugee camps. The Karen people have lived in Burma for hundreds of years, but the Burmese military government's human rights abuses has led to the Karen people joining over 100,000 refugees crowded along the Thai-Burma border. Like refugees worldwide, many lack access to proper healthcare, education, and income, and cannot safely return to their homes. Women's Education for Advancement and Empowerment (WEAVE) works with Burmese refugee women on the border. The program includes income generation with a focus on women's self-determination, support of child development centers, and development of health education materials.