Articles Tagged with: Pallavi Pande

How Pallavi Pande Is Redefining Disposable Tableware in Oregon’s Startup Scene

In a world awash with disposable convenience, Pallavi Pande saw an opportunity to bring tradition, sustainability, and social impact to the table – quite literally.

As the founder of Dtocs, a Portland, Oregon-based company crafting elegant, compostable tableware from naturally fallen palm leaves, Pallavi is more than an entrepreneur.

She’s a cultural bridge-builder and a changemaker.

A Childhood Memory, Reimagined

Growing up in India, Pallavi cherished the ritual of eating meals on banana leaves, a practice that connected her to nature and community.

Years later, as a mother and businesswoman in Oregon, she transformed that memory into a mission. And that is to replace wasteful paper and plastic disposables with sustainable, stylish alternatives.

In 2019, she launched Dtocs, a play on “detox,” creating single-use plates, bowls, and trays from Areca palm leaves. This tableware is chemical-free, microwave-safe, and compostable within 90 days. They’re available in the US and Canada through their website and retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Etsy.

A Product that Empowers

Dtocs goes beyond eco-friendly tableware. It’s about empowering people.

The company partners with women artisans in India, providing them with fair wages and resources like sewing machines through collaborations with non-profit organization Anmol Sahara.

In the US, Dtocs supports education equity by donating to organizations like Greater Than PDX.

This dual-impact model earned Pallavi recognition in 2024 as a CO-100 Customer Champion by the US Chamber of Commerce.

A Voice for Founders, A Force for Good

Pallavi’s journey to become a purpose-driven founder is a testament to resilience and vision. Her participation in programs like SEED SPOT’s Retail Brand Accelerator, backed by Walmart.org, has helped scale Dtocs while staying true to her values.

She brings a rare blend of cultural insight, business acumen, and social impact to Oregon’s startup ecosystem. Her story resonates with founders navigating the challenges of scaling a mission-driven brand in a competitive market.

Her insights on building a business that serves both people and the planet are invaluable, whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an established innovator.

Don’t miss the chance to connect with Pallavi Pande at the Oregon Startup Conference, where she is part of the Success Panel. Come and hear how she’s turning leaves into legacy, and learn how you can do the same.

SFC Congratulates Pallavi Pande of Dtocs LLC for Placing in SEED SPOT’s Retail Brand Accelerator

Green, sustainable, environment-friendly – these are just some buzzwords that brands often use to market their products to eco-conscious consumers.

Unfortunately, the reality is that not all brands that spout these words actually walk their talk.

Not Pallavi Pande, though – she’s an entrepreneur who really walks her talk. As the founder of Dtocs LLC, she produces disposable tableware that is 100% safe for the environment. The production process itself is sustainable and supports communities in the US and India, Pallavi’s home country.

So, it’s not surprising that Pallavi has secured a place in SEED SPOT’s Retail Brand Accelerator. It’s training that will take her brand far and strengthen Dtocs LLC’s community impact even more.

Congratulations, Pallavi!

SEED SPOT empowers founders to succeed in the mass retail market.

The SEED SPOT Retail Brand Accelerator is a dynamic program designed to nurture established founders looking to scale their business in mass retail. The program focuses on founders in the consumer-packaged goods market and provides them with an intensive 10-week training.

This training helps participants refine their sales approach, expand their supply chain and inventory capacities, comply with regulations, and build a standout brand. Virtual workshops and personalized one-to-one mentorship make up the bulk of this training.

The Retail Brand Accelerator is funded by the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity, Walmart’s philanthropic endeavor to uplift BIPOC communities in education, finance, health, and criminal justice.

Dtocs LLC offers more than just sustainable tableware.

With Pallavi joining the SEED SPOT Retail Brand Accelerator, it’s clear that her Dtocs LLC brand is headed for growth. And if there’s a company that should grow as big as it can and gain as much attention as possible, it’s Dtocs LLC.

Why? It’s because the company greatly impacts the community it serves.

Dtocs LLC manufactures single-use tableware. But they’re nothing like the disposable tableware we see in supermarkets, typically made with plastics and other toxic materials.

Here’s why they’re different:

They’re made using the fallen leaves and shed sheaths of Areca palms. These are usually considered waste materials. Instead, the local farmers in India with whom Dtocs works collect them to be processed into tableware. No part of the living Areca palm is harmed or cut during the process.
They’re processed using an eco-friendly system. From drying to shaping to packaging, the process that these Areca shedding goes through to become single-use tableware poses no harm to the environment. Renewable energy sources power the machines used. The raw materials are cleaned with fresh water. The products are packed with sustainable cardboard.
They’re durable and stylish. Many factors prevent the typical consumer from using eco-friendly disposable tableware. Many consider them not as durable as plastics. People who are conscious of plating and dining table aesthetics may not like how these disposables look. Because they’re made with Areca palms, Dtocs tableware doesn’t crumble easily, even when holding liquids. They also come in stylish shapes and forms.
They’re biodegradable. After you’ve used these palm-leaf dinnerware, you can safely throw them in the bin or even add them to your compost. They will degrade in a few days. So they won’t contribute to the growing garbage problem that the world is facing today.

Their products are not the only things that set Dtocs LLC apart. The company employs women artisans in India to manufacture their products, empowering them to provide for their families and live better lives.

Additionally, Dtocs LLC uses a portion of its earnings to give back to its communities. They’ve partnered with non-profits in India to provide livelihood for women and fund the education of underprivileged children. They also contribute towards equal education opportunities for underrepresented students in Portland.

Pallavi Pande is an inspiration to women entrepreneurs.

Without a doubt, Pallavi embodies the definition of a successful business owner. Her company is thriving and scaling for further growth. Her brand is solid and gaining recognition. And she fulfills her role as a leader by giving back to her communities.

Pallavi’s achievements are more remarkable because she did all of these as a woman from a minority group. While much has been accomplished to secure women’s place in business in the last few decades, it goes without saying that women entrepreneurs still face challenges that men don’t. The stakes get even higher when she is also a woman of color.

Pallavi overcame these challenges. A self-described mompreneur, she also found a way to balance building a successful company and nurturing a family. That’s not an easy feat.

We salute and congratulate Pallavi Pande of Dtocs LLC for her current and future successes. She’s someone we can all admire and emulate, no matter what stage we are in our respective entrepreneurial journeys.

Sacred Fire Creative helps women business owners maximize their entrepreneurial potential through innovative digital marketing strategies and authentic relationship-building with their audiences. Contact us today, and let’s see how we can collaborate.