How much of a negetive ecological impact do I inflict by using disposable paper and styrofoam plates?

Question

I use nothing but strofoam and paper plates and plastic cups in my house. I also have like 4 50 packs of of spoons and forks each. I was wondering what is more ecologicaly friendly styrofoam or plastic? I won't do dishes even if I have a dishwasher and even then much of the year when I'm working I'm in Hotels around the country so I need to have disposable plate. Is there a disposal alternative? I know I've used enough DISPOSABLE forks and spoons and plate to fill my room up atleast to my knees . any suggestions?

Answer 1

take all your plates, and forks and stuff,

burn it with low oxygen in a closed furnace.

wait for it to settle.

gather the ashes, boil them with some water, than put it in your car!

you just synthasized oil! Recycling, yay! :)

Answer 2

I think the alternative would be the reusable and recyclable materials. Even though paper plates are recyclable, paper are from tree. Which means, more paper, more trees, the hotter the Earth will be! Plastics and styrofoams takes zillions of year to be recycled, and styrofoam is bad for you and your family's health, too. If you use a styrofoam to put hot meals such as soups, it has Carcinogen. Means it could cause cancer! Please stop using styrofoam, paper plates, and plastic cups in your house and use the reusable dinner wares instead. Besides, you could spend less money because you don't have to buy new stacks of plates and cups every week or so.

Answer 3

I think you should use plastic or glass because paper and styrofoam aren't reusable and they don't help the environment. I am starting a site to help and getting people everywhere to sign it.

Answer 4

I think if you are going to be such a gross polluter you should move closer to the dump. You can buy biodegradable disposable plates and things that at least won't turn into toxic sludge in the landfill, but you are still creating too much waste.

I really wish you would consider a better altenative. I think if you were to really take a look at how much waste your lifestyle creates you may reconsider your actions.

Answer 5

These materials eind up filling our landfills or at beaches everywhere. Check this reference for 'bioplastic' alternatives for them

Answer 6

Who can really say what the impact will be down the road, in a few hundred years, or even a few years, our land fills might be the fuel of the future.

Answer 7

I think that they're pretty bad esp plastic and styrofoam b/c they will be here on earth far longer than even your grandchildren. No disposable stuff is good, but why not go with paper if you must... that way it will break down again.

  

Answer 8

Well, if you are REALLY concerned about it, go to someplace like Whole Foods and get some of the biodegradable stuff.

Cost = 2 to 5 times as much.  Stress reduction = priceless.

Personally, I would just use the cheap stuff.