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

[Dwayne Johnson]

paper plates are great for lazy cooking days imo, when it's like 40C and theres too many dishes in the sink. I dont use plastic utensils at all though

 

[Lightspring]

I try not to use any plastic silverware at home, it’s usually the metal ones that are dishwasher safe. I even have a metal straw that I’d like to use, way more durable and environmentally friendly than those plastic straws. If nothing else, I’d just eat with plastic silverware, but I’d be better off using my hands for some foods.

 

[MyLifeIsCake]

I really hate nearly all one use type items especially for stuff generally used everyday. There are better alternatives for everything. I have a set of metal straws, spoons, and bamboo chopsticks I bring with me to work for lunch. They stopped letting us use the water fountains at work but supply plastic water bottles for us which is a nice gesture but I hate how many people throw theirs away after using it. I'm like the crazy person nosing through the trash to take home the bottles to recycle.

Paper plates are okay to me use for like parties and stuff, but I use regular plates at home. It'd be more expensive to keep buying disposable stuff than to just get some decent long lasting dinnerware tbh

 

[Snowesque]

I only use them if I have to. I don't mind doing the dishes and I'd like to cut down on the waste.
Recently my work changed to disposables as we had a resident with covid; the amount of trash we create now is astounding.

 

[frogslime]

For parties (or meetups or whatever), we tend to use them. Though personally I'd rather use silverware.

 

[Kaiaa]

I hate doing dishes, and as the only one who does dishes I am embarrassed to say that I elect to use paper plates and plastic cups if available, but I don’t like plastic silverware.

 

[DarkDesertFox]

I never realized so many people hated using plastic ware lol. I don't mind using it at all. It kind of gives me that feel of when you use them at the mall food court and cookouts. I also like that you can just toss it out instead of washing it.

 

[helloxcutiee]

We use them at my house all the time it's great when you don't want to wash dishes.

 

[Dinosaurz]

I don’t use them but unfortunately when I order takeout I get them a lot and I don’t believe in waste so I would use them then

 

[Tao]

I use them at festivals since it's just a ridiculous concept to be walking around a crowded field with a proper plate and a glass of water, also takeaway since 'I have no choice', but I make sure I do what little I can to recycle them. Wherever I've been there have at least been proper recycling points, or in terms of festivals some stalls give discounts etc if you bring back your plate/cup so they can ensure its disposed of properly.

Using them at home for every day use though? Lolwhut? I can understand because of health reasons or not being afford to buy a proper set, but because its easier or because you dont like washing up? That's by far the laziest, slobby and wasteful thing I've heard in a while, and news flash, nobody likes washing up.

Yes! I was so frustrated when our city announced a plastic straw ban because I felt that the way in which it was implemented didn't consider people who really do need to use plastic straws. A lot of the alternatives on the market just aren't suitable for everyone, so unfortunately plastic is still the best option for some folks.

We actually ended up stocking up on plastic straws before the ban for my grandmother because she uses them to drink liquids, from soups to water. As she and my grandfather still live on their own and are getting on in years, anything they have to clean will not be suitable (eg. metal, glass). Paper will not hold up long enough for her to use, and doesn't handle hot liquid well. The benefits about plastic are that it's disposable, that it can handle hot/cold liquids, and that it's flexible (so she can bend the straw to reach the cup easier).

A lot of items that people think are 'wasteful' or 'useless' actually are very useful for people for mobility issues. I remember seeing an ad for a plastic contraption that helped people put on their socks easily. A lot of people said that it was useless, a waste of plastic, and for people who are lazy. And maybe for some people all of those things are true, but for people with mobility issues, it enables them to be able to put on their socks on their own without pain or risk of injury.

Can you not just buy them from a store?

As far as I'm aware the plastic straw ban just meant the straws in takeaways etc where they're typically used once and thrown away. Those ones were a problem since then vast majority of them ended up in a landfill...Or on the sidewalk.

Go to the store or online though and I would be surprised if there isnt any plastic straws intended to be used more than once. I got some a few months back that came with a little cleaning tool to get inside. Most people wouldnt bat an eye lid at those, its only idiots who thought ALL plastic straws were bad who basically just jumped on the "ban straws" bandwagon without really caring.

 

[mayortiffany]

Can you not just buy them from a store?

As far as I'm aware the plastic straw ban just meant the straws in takeaways etc where they're typically used once and thrown away. Those ones were a problem since then vast majority of them ended up in a landfill...Or on the sidewalk.

Go to the store or online though and I would be surprised if there isnt any plastic straws intended to be used more than once. I got some a few months back that came with a little cleaning tool to get inside. Most people wouldnt bat an eye lid at those, its only idiots who thought ALL plastic straws were bad who basically just jumped on the "ban straws" bandwagon without really caring.

Yes, there are thankfully some stores in the area that still carry straws. We were worried that even though the sale of plastic straws wasn't actually banned, retailers would stop selling them or another ban would come in the future. There are actually some stores in our area that have stopped selling plastic straws after the ban, so it ended up being a good idea to stock up.

I've come across cutlery/straws that's sturdy enough to be washed and re-used, but unfortunately those just aren't suitable for my grandparents. My grandparents are both in their 90s, and even if they technically can clean out the straws by themselves, I really don't think it's a good idea for them to exert their energy to do so, as they still wash everything by hand!

 

[Croconaw]

I honestly prefer to use paper plates, plastic silverware, etc. It can get pretty pricey, but I’d rather toss them than doing dishes. I also take a few plastic silverware from fast food places whenever I go there, so I’ve gotten them for free sometimes. I only take them if I buy something from the restaurant, though. I’m not completely disrespectful.

 

[slzzpz]

I only use them if I absolutely need to. Like when I go to Pollo Loco or somewhere and they give you plates, I'll use them then.

 

[ChocoPie22]

I don't mind using them and at times I'd rather use them, sometimes I don't want to wash dishes, or I feel bad leaving dishes for someone else to wash, so I use disposable utensils/plates/bowls.

 

[moo_nieu]

unless theres not another option provided, its necessary for sanitization, or you have a disability i see no reason to use single-use plates, cups, or utensils at home. i agree its wasteful and lazy. sometimes people dont have other options (id rather someone eat and drink out of plastic than starve to death because they dont have the energy or ability to wash dishes and it deters them from eating), but i think people who are able to reuse their dishes absolutely should. we eat and drink several times a day so thats a lot of waste if each item you use just goes to the garbage. its fine if you cant remove waste altogether, but at least try to reduce something somewhat if you are able to. i get that life is hard, but we should put in effort to protect the environment, especially if the cost is just a couple minutes of your time spent cleaning.

also wanted to say that i liked the idea someone mentioned about asking your guests to bring their own cup/plate/utensils to a get together. you save waste, and you dont have to clean up everyones dishes because they take them home with them! who would want to invite guests over that would complain about that anyways? if certain people didnt show up because they demanded a paper plate and plastic cup, i would be glad they didnt come tbh xD

 

[.: Meri :.]

I'll use them if I'm eating somewhere else and it's all that's provided, but I'd definitely rather avoid them and not create needless waste. (Of course, if they're recyclable, then I'll do that at least.) Plus, they're pricier, too, and I much prefer the texture of re-usable plates and utensils anyway. Something about paper plates just feels unpleasant to eat off of.

 

[skarmoury]

Reusables are fine. We have some reusable plastic spoons and forks, they were leftovers from a party before and were sturdy enough to be reused at home. We mainly use them for scooping ingredients, condiments, stuff like that.

I dislike disposable utensils. I only ever use them if there's nothing else to use, say at a big party, or maybe with takeouts. I never use disposable utensils and plates at home; I may be lazy in general but I also don't think 5 minutes of me cleaning up after myself is tiring enough to justify personal usage of disposables daily. Maybe once in a while is fine, but whenever there's a reusable available, I always go for that option. I feel conscious having so much plastic to throw away.

Of course, I'm also understanding to those who absolutely can't clean up after themselves due to medical conditions and the like.

 

[Croconaw]

I only use plastic silverware. I will wash them a few times before tossing them. I just dislike metal in my mouth, lol. I also only use paper plates/bowls and plastic cups.

 

[-Mars-]

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[g u a v a]

i understand the necessity for people who are going through health struggles where reusable dishware is not compatible. personally, i don't like using them at all because i try to limit how many "disposable" goods i use. i'd rather have cool plates that i love and will last me for a long time