At the department store I found some neat bowls and cups that were supposedly made out of bamboo. I'm guessing these were mulched and moulded bamboo pulp, because they don't resemble reeds or wood at all.

 

They have a matte texture even though the artificial coloring, and feel closer to plastic than paper or wood. It's supposed to be biodegradable, though I imagine for it to be long-lasting enough to be worth the purchase, the biodegradation (is that a word?) would be very very slow.

 

I'm just happy to have my set because I'm a real klutz and can't abide anything breakable, but couldn't do plastic either-- metal rusts, too, and woodware is usually either too porous or too varnished. This bambooware is just right.

I have seen those before and was convinced that they were made out of plastic. I have a set of bamboo spoons that are actually carved out of the reeds; they are my favorite spoons ever!