Opinions on plastic silverware, paper plates/bowls, etc?

[xSuperMario64x]

I'm pretty sure I know what the general consensus will be on this one, but I was wondering what everyone thinks about using disposable food/drink wares such as plastic silverware, plastic straws, paper bowls, paper plates, and the like.

Personally, I absolutely hate using them. If I can avoid them I always do. I think that they're just a waste of plastic and paper, which means more trash going into landfills/the ocean/etc. The only "disposable" things I'm okay with using are paper towels, and that's because it takes me over half a year to go through one roll (it's not like I go through them constantly, as is the case with plastic silverware and paper plates). I also do tend to use disposable straws but I really prefer to use the straws made of thicker plastic that are re-usable because they just have to be cleaned and then they can be re-used.

This might be getting a bit personal, but I wanted to point it out for this topic. My dad doesn't like to wash dishes, and my mom can't do it (due to her health issues), so when there aren't any clean dishes my dad just buys a bunch of paper plates, paper bowls, and plastic silverware. The problem with this, as I mentioned before, is that they create unnecessary waste. Plus, since my dad never cleans, they end up all over our house. Because of this I absolutely despise using disposable eating wares. At this point I might go as far as to bring a ceramic plate and a washable spoon/fork with me to a cookout so I don't have to use a paper plate and plastic silverware. I can't even stand drinking out of plastic bottles anymore; I've been thinking about getting a water filtering pitcher for water, instead of buying bottled water at the store (although plastic water bottles can be recycled so it's not too big a deal).


What do you guys think?

 

[Crash]

i try to avoid using them whenever possible because i also absolutely hate how much waste they produce. i also hate washing dishes lol but i'd always choose spending a bit more time doing chores than contributing to more plastic trash :c

 

[seularin]

when i was younger my family was struggling so disposable wares were the best we could do at that time. i’m used to it though it’s a big waste and wouldn’t mind using them even when i have proper silverware now

 

[Mariah]

My family exclusively eats off of paper plates. I don’t get it. We have real plates. I run the dishwasher through every day. Just use a real plate.

 

[BungoTheElf]

If it's for a party or big event or something I would understand using plastic utensils and paper plates, or something for on the go eating/ a small snack order for something. But for home use I have a different opinion, it's way easier and cheaper to just wash off your own plates and utensils! I'll be honest though, I've been guilty of taking plastic utensils from campus dining and keeping some in my dorm room for quick use cuz I don't wanna wash all my dishes... My family also likes to keep some disposable plastic containers and reuse them a few times before throwing them away.

 

[Uffe]

If you use paper and/or plastic, then it goes to some some landfill. If you wash dishes, you're wasting water, and depending on where the heat comes from, using electricity or gas. Neither of these options are good when you think about it. Unfortunately, you have to choose one or the other, if not both. Which one is cheaper? Buying paper and plastic dish wares, or using water, electric/gas? I think you or your dad should do the dishes. Going out and buying paper plates or whatever is not wanting to deal with the work, and there really is no excuse if either one of you can do the dishes.

 

[Antonio]

I hate it but my mom hates doing dishes because the hot water doesn't work so she has to boil **** to properly wash dishes and it's sad because she just got the house and the sink don't work so she has to buy paper plates and such.

 

[Balverine]

I only use plastic silverware when picnicking or while somewhere away from home, whereas I'd rather use paper plates then glass or plastic unless I'm having guests over
less dishes : P

 

[MapleSilver]

I don't like the feel of plastic utensils and paper plates. They bend way too easily. Usually they function fine, but you get a worse experience which is also worse for the environment. Only time I'll ever use them is some outdoor event where it isn't practical to bring real utensils.

 

[litilravnur]

I try to avoid them as much as possible, the only ones I absolutely refuse to use (and I even made my family take that measure) are plastic straws

 

[xSuperMario64x]

I think you or your dad should do the dishes. Going out and buying paper plates or whatever is not wanting to deal with the work, and there really is no excuse if either one of you can do the dishes.

well the funny part of the matter is I do wash dishes. But he still uses disposable stuff. Doesn't make much sense now does it?

 

[ellarella]

i hate using them. they're wasteful and far inferior to the non-disposable kind. whoever thought of inventing plastic knives must be having a laugh somewhere now

 

[Uffe]

well the funny part of the matter is I do wash dishes. But he still uses disposable stuff. Doesn't make much sense now does it?

That's pretty lame. Well, I hope you don't have to do a bunch of dishes, then.

 

[xSuperMario64x]

That's pretty lame. Well, I hope you don't have to do a bunch of dishes, then.

I usually don't, but sometimes I do (like when I get home for breaks). it's just that I'm gone 8 months out of the year cause I'm a college student and I live on-campus, so when i'm not home home they don't get washed. It really is unfortunate cause it only takes like 10-20 minutes to wash a single load and we do have a dishwasher. my dad just won't do it, idk why.

 

[InstantNoodles]

It's been a while since I used disposable plates and silverware I'll use them if I was at a party/BBQ but otherwise no. Even majority of takeaways (I think they may be called something different outside of the UK) nowadays don't give out disposable forks/spoons and use paper in place of plastic.

 

[Midoriya]

I’ll only use them if I absolutely have to. I prefer using actual plates and silverware, and I actually have grown to love washing the dishes. It’s probably my favorite chore out of all of them because it gives me time to self-reflect and it also makes me feel like I’m in the old computer game Diner Dash, lol. As Uffe mentioned, either route is still bad for the environment in some way, but I’d argue using actual plates and silverware and just doing dishes is the lesser of the two evils.

 

[KrazyKarp]

I also only use them if I need to. Not only do they produce too much waste, but I actually do enjoy doing the dishes, so I get more enjoyment out of using regular plates and such!

 

[xSuperMario64x]

I’ll only use them if I absolutely have to. I prefer using actual plates and silverware, and I actually have grown to love washing the dishes. It’s probably my favorite chore out of all of them because it gives me time to self-reflect and it also makes me feel like I’m in the old computer game Diner Dash, lol. As Uffe mentioned, either route is still bad for the environment in some way, but I’d argue using actual plates and silverware and just doing dishes is the lesser of the two evils.

that's funny but also nice that you associate washing dishes with a happy pasttime.

I forgot to mention but washing the dishes in water isn't a waste if you do what I do and just fill the sink about 1/3 of the way and use that water. Leaving it running constantly is wasteful.

 

[Corrie]

I'll use them if I have to but I'd prefer not to. They're extremely wasteful. Obviously if it's a huge party with like, 15+ people I understand as that would be loads of dishes but otherwise just wash them.

 

[Bcat]

I prefer to eat/drink out of real stuff whenever possible. Unless it’s for hygiene reasons and I need to throw it away, I enjoy eating off of real plates 10x more than disposable ones. Plus, water tastes better when it comes from an actual glass and not plastic or styrofoam.