Red Round Bamboo Serving Tray

French product designer Bruno Louis describes his company Ekobo’s mission as "100% ecological, 200% design". From Montpellier, France, he and his American wife, Boo, design beautiful table accessories that are handcrafted by their partners in several northern Vietnamese communities. They adhere to strict fair-trade standards and use only biodegradable and recyclable materials. Currently, Ekobo employs more than 300 bamboo artisans at a salary well above the local market level, which in turn helps to protect the future of this craft. The pieces are handcrafted in the traditional spun technique: First a bamboo pole is uniformly cut into thin strips with a machete, and then artisans wind the strips into spirals. After the forms have been strengthened with a resin made from cashew tree pulp, each piece is meticulously sanded, polished and lacquered in a process that can take 30 to 60 days. The Ekobo Collection (2006) has a food-safe varnish, is suitable for hot and cold foods, and is stain and odor resistant. Hand wash and dry thoroughly; not dishwasher safe. Materials used in in the tray are bamboo, natural resin, natural lacquer, paint. Ekobo serving tray at Design Within Reach is made in Vietnam.