Posted on 04/25/2008 2:37:31 PM PDT by agooga
Does anyone have a link, example or opinion about the "eco costs" associated with eating off of paper plates versus porcelain ones in the work place?
Pretty fine-tuned debate, I know, but a co-worker was making a big point today of not eating lunch at work off the provided paper plates. I mentioned that it might actually be less "damaging" to the environment not to have everyone standing in line at the sink with the hot water running washing their plates after lunch.
She was not buying it, but hell, I don't know if I was either. Your thoughts?
It’s a wash. (Pun intended.) It doesn’t really matter, paper is bio-degradable and will break down rather quickly. The water, well what do I care? I live right in the centre of 25% of the world’s fresh watter supply.
My boss is a big environmentalist (I just work here!) and they use bamboo paper plates when we have a meeting here. Supposedly it is better than regular paper plates.
FEEEELING are so important!
Don’t care what others do. But...I’ll use my real dishes any day of the week. I will wash them in hot water like I always do and they will dry up all sparkly and nice. I take pride in how my dishes, glasses and eating utensils look and how they are presented to my family.
As for paper plates...so ... everyone uses nothing but and then our landfills are more than overflowing. Everyone should just sit back and relax. They are NOT going to have an impact on our world. There are higher beings than all of us who have that under control.
Bon Appetite!!!
Just go with your office policy or custom and don't argue about it.
Controlling twits are everywhere.
Arguing with controlling ignorant twits is like fertilizing a rock.
Life is too short.
Severe penalties will be levied against anyone who possesses any contraband eating utensils.
This will render moot any environmental concerns and will solve the illegal alien problem.
If you're not a citizen, you don't get a bowl, cup or spoon. No food for you!
Just make a point of using two paper plates every time you eat to make up for her refusal to support all those poor workers who make paper plates.
A quick Google of the subject shows that there are strong opinions both ways.
The real goal of her argument: to make you “eco-conscious” which is a 21st century word for “guilt”. However to even engage in the discussion is tacit acknowledgement that humans are responsible for “global warming”.
If she’s a friend, then don’t offend her and use the dish-type of her choice (who cares?), but don’t discuss it either. If she’s not a friend, then ask her how she got to work today, how often she showers with warm water, how much electricity her computer uses, etc (turn the guilt around)
-PJ
I’ve read all the posts in here and see there is a variety of opinions.
We started buying and eating off of paper plates three years ago. The price of water and electricity skyrocketed here, so to keep the price down and help out with a water shortage that turned into a drought, we turned to paper plates. So instead of running the dishwasher twice a day I’m down to everyother day. Saves hugely on electricity and water.
Best of all, the plates are biodegradable and help the wood pulp industry which uses a renewable resource and hires large numbers of people in my area, the Pacific Northwest.
I remember the “disposable diapers” vs. “washable diapers” argument 30 years ago. I used a diaper service for my older kids. I was very sad the “disposables” won that argument.
Just remember that you Canadians only own half of 4 Great Lakes, while we own the other half and all of Lake Michigan.
My humble opinion is that you are making a mistake arguing with her on her terms. Engaging in an argument on whether paper or porcelain plates are more damaging to the environment is to admit that either one is possible.
Man cannot damage the environment. It is impossible. Everything that we use or create comes from the environment and it returns to the environment. We ourselves are part of the environment. Does a termite damage the environment when it destroys a house? No! The termite, the house, our existence and the destruction of the house are all part of the environment.
I could see arguing about pollution when it comes to chemicals that are either dangerous to us or unpleasant. On those grounds, let’s talk, but I always tell them to stop with this “damage the environment crap”!
Tell your co-worker to get a life.
If they provide a hot babe to wash the dishes for everyone, then great. If not, then it’s paper plates or eat with your hands. If you eat with your hands then they had better have a hot babe handy with a roll of paper towels.
But water is a liquid asset. :D *Rimshot*
< cranky old man >
In my day we didn’t have all these fancy dandy things like paper plates and paper towels and kleenex and tissue paper and toilet paper and napkins! NO! In my day when you turned sixteen you were given a share of the family hankerchief. It hadn’t been washed in generations and it was old and hard and crusty! AND WE LIKED IT THAT WAY!!! And if you got it near your face it burned your eyeballs, and if you used it it gave you diseases your grandfather had... AND WE LIKED IT THAT WAY! Harumph!
< /Cranky Old Man >
My company is 98% women (God help me) and during one discussion on ways to save energy I suggested firing all the women that were going through menopause because they were the ones cranking the A/C down to 50 degrees and bringing in electric fans to blow on them.
You should have seen the looks on their faces at that point. LOL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.