Disposable Plate Dilemma

Q: Which is better for the environment – using disposable plates that I throw away or washing re-usable dishes?

- May

A:  Dear May,

People may think using disposable plates is better for the environment because they don’t use water for washing. Take a step back and think about the lifecycle of what you are using. While that paper plate is being washed and therefore not using water, it’s going right into the landfill where it will reside for a very long time in its plastic coffin. Also think about the natural resources used in production and the fuel used to for transportation to the store, to you, and to the landfill.

Washing dishes have a much smaller impact. Less production, less transportation, less waste to the landfill. The water you are using is being treated and injected back into the river or reused.

If you’re trying to reduce your water use, use your dishwasher rather than hand washing and scrape off dishes rather than rinsing them off.  Next time you’re shopping for a new dishwasher, look out for one energy and water efficient by buying one that is certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as Energy Star.

Other things to think about- are you composting what’s left on your plate? Are you using environmentally sound dish detergent?

For more tips on saving water at home, visit the EPA’s Water Sense website.

To learn more why using a dishwasher is better than hand washing, check out this page from About.com.

Happy Washing,

Mandy