Green question?

Question

Last night I was heating up some dinner and got out a paper plate instead of ceramic on that I'd have to wash. I was just being in a lazy mood.

Then I started thinking about which option would be more friendly to the envirnment.

Using a paper plate that I recycle? Or eating from a ceramic plate that I reuse however have to wash? Maybe hand washing by the sink or using a dishwasher (electricity, soap, water...)

What do you think?

Answer 1

If you only run the dishwasher when the dishwasher is full, then using the dishwasher is much better for the environment.  Reusing is usually better than recycling because during the recycling process, most of the material is always lost and wasted.  Reuses allows for something to be used over and over without something new being produced.  So I would say use ceramic plates and use the dishwasher only when it is full.

Answer 2

eat with you hands, save the environment

Answer 3

The ceramic dish is a better option. When you have a full load of dishes in the dish washer you are making the best of the water. On the other hand when you use paper, think of how it was grown, manufactured, and shipped to your store. Also the plastic waste wrapping. Then where will it go once it leaves you? To a landfill! There are other options of disposable dinner ware, they are made out of corn and will biodegrade. Google the options for purchase.Remember too to use a dish washer detergent that contains no phosphates. There are several good books to educate on a green household..One woman is very popular, her book is called Gorgeously Green and was featured on Oprah.

Answer 4

I fully endorse the view expressed by "heathenchimp'' (my immediately preceding answerer).Paper is in short supply globally ....consumption of paper as been increasing at a very fast pace whereas, the pulp producing countries are a few ....USA is just one of them. If we take the global situation into account , we all go by what "heathenchimp" suggested.

Answer 5

Paper plate

Answer 6

The greenest solution is don't eat.

That way you don't consume any of the earths valuable resources.

Answer 7

This is more difficult to answer than you might think. The obvious choice is to hand-wash a ceramic plate. You are re-using the plate (so no energy/emissions making a new one or transporting it to a recycling facility) and saving on energy consumption by not using the dish-washer.

However, the detergents you use in the washing up likely contain phosphorous surfactants. Once down the plug, they can introduce a source of phosphorus to rivers and lakes, which can pollute them (i.e. eutrophication).  

You could write a paper on the decision support system for this question. However, on balance, the simple answer is often the correct one. Stick with the ceramic plate.

Answer 8

paper may also save you on your water bill

Answer 9

This is a good question - there is no clear cut answer since I don't know where you live. If you are in an arid region then the paper plate may be better (less use of water). If you are in a place where water isn't a problem - then landfill space may be. You also can think about the natural resources that went into the making of the plate, and the fossil fuels to transport it to you, and then the fossil fuels to transport it, and the rest of the garbage to it's final resting place. As to washing - some dishwashers use much less water than most people's hand washing, but are you just going to have crumbs that you can quickly rinse off, or do you have pasta sauce that is left on the plate to dry and then takes lots of effort to get off.

In short - there is never an absolutely clear cut answer - but as always - think about it and do your best. The world is not black and white - it has many shades of gray, and hopefully lots of green!