Forest-Gathered Leaves
No Trees Cut
Food-Grade Stitched
Tribal Livelihoods
Compostable
Manufacturer Direct
The Story
A tradition older than plastic
The sal tree grows across India's forests and sheds broad, tough leaves that tribal communities have gathered for generations. Collecting them creates rural, often tribal, livelihoods, providing income from the forest without harming it.
Stitched with food-grade thread, reinforced with a recycled kraft-board liner and heat-pressed, sal becomes a rigid, sturdy plate that then composts back into the soil it came from.
How It's Made
From forest leaf to finished plate
A stitched-and-pressed process using food-grade materials.
1
Gathered from the forest
Broad sal leaves are brought from the forest by local and tribal gatherers.
2
Steamed & peeled
Sun-dried for several days to remove moisture.
3
Stored
Stored under controlled temperature (like areca) to preserve the leaves.
4
Washed & re-dried
At production, leaves are washed, cleaned and dried again to remove any moisture.
5
Stitched
Stitched on high-end industrial sewing machines using food-grade thread and food-grade colours.
6
Heat-pressed at 260°C
Pressed with a recycled kraft paperboard liner (3- or 5-ply corrugated) at around 260°C into a rigid plate or bowl.
7
Food-grade barrier coating
Leaf and board are bonded with a food-grade, compostable barrier heat-seal aqua (water-based) coating.
8
Trimmed & packed
Edge-trimmed, inspected and packed to export-grade standards.
WATCH THE JOURNEY
From a forest leaf to your table
LAB-VERIFIED & FOOD-SAFE
Tested, not just claimed
Food-safety claims are to be backed by authorized laboratory test reports.
Bacteria-tested
Tested for Salmonella and other bacteria, confirmed food-safe.
No harmful compounds
No migratable arsenic or carcinogenic compounds.
Residue-free
Free from pesticide residue.
Within heavy-metal limits
Tested against heavy-metal limits, with none detected.
Results to be verified by authorised lab test reports. Available to wholesale and export buyers on request. Contact our B2B team.
Certifications & standards
FDA 21 CFR
US food-contact safety.
BPI Compostable
ASTM D6400 — third- party verified commerc -ial compostability.
EU Regulation 1935/ 2004
European food-contact safety.
USDA BioPreferred
Biobased product content verified.
FSC
Responsibly sourced wood and paper.
END OF LIFE
How it breaks down
Sal returns to soil. No landfill, no microplastics.
~60–90 days
Home Compost
Breaks down in a typical home compost setup within roughly 2–3 months.
Faster
Industrial Compost
Breaks down more quickly in a commercial facility — depends on conditions.
Composting times are indicative and vary with conditions.
Why It Works
Sturdy, traditional, truly compostable
Naturally strong
Kraft-reinforced to hold full, heavy meals.
Food-grade build
Food-grade thread, colours and barrier coating.
Supports communities
Income for tribal and rural gatherers.
Zero deforestation
Made from gathered leaves, no tree cut.
Compostable
Returns to soil naturally.
Rustic, natural look
An authentic, earthy presentation.
Choose with Confidence
What sal leaf is best for
Best for
Weddings
Festivals
Catering
Home dining
Traditional events
Not recommended for
- Prolonged liquid storage (hours of standing curry)
- Long-term freezer storage
- Deep-frying or submersion in oil
In Real Life
Beautiful in use
Pick the Right Material
Sal vs Palm vs Bagasse vs Paper
A quick guide to choosing what fits your use-case.
| Sal | Palm | Bagasse | Recycled Paper | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Forest leaf + kraft board | Naturally shed palm sheath | Sugarcane fibre | Recycled / bamboo fibre |
| Look | Rustic leaf | Premium natural grain | Matte natural white | Kraft / white |
| Best for | Traditional & rustic serving | Premium dining & events | Everyday foodservice & takeout | Napkins, liners, packaging |
| Microwave / oven | Yes (short) | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| Grease / liquid | Good | Good | Excellent | Varies |
| Home compost | ~60–90 days | ~60–90 days | ~30–90 days | ~30–90 days |
SHOP THE MATERIAL
Sal leaf products
Traditional compostable leaf tableware, priced per case.
Round 8″–12″
Square plates
Sectioned plates
Bowls
Donna / cups
Platters
Complete the Setting
Frequently bought together
+
+
+
Build a complete plastic-free table in one order.
For Distributors & Buyers
Need the full technical specs?
Dimensions, weights, case packs, board ply, coating details, certifications and lab reports. Everything importers, distributors and hospitality buyers need.
Sal Leaf FAQs
Questions, answered
No, the kraft-board liner and food-grade barrier coating make sal plates sturdy and resistant to wet, saucy food. Serve fresh rather than storing liquids for hours.
Yes, the barrier is a food-grade, compostable, water-based (aqua) heat-seal coating.
Suitable for short microwave use at typical serving temperatures.
Yes, natural leaves vary in tone and grain, so each plate is slightly different.
Roughly 60–90 days at home, faster in industrial composting.
GO DEEPER
Learn more
From the Blog
From Fallen Leaves to Finished Plates
A day in rural India and the communities behind the leaf.
Read the article →Sustainability
Our Materials & Compost Lifecycle
How sal and our other materials break down.
Explore sustainability →See it. Feel it. Then stock it.
Order a $10 sample kit to test birchwood in your hands, or get wholesale pricing for your business.