-PJ
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?
Vintage John Cleese, Monty Feldman, Graham Chapman, Tim Brooke-Taylor skit. A must-see for any Monty Python fan.
I use real dishes also. Never use paper plates. Like you, I love my real dishes and flatware and take pride in a nice table setting. I know people who invite us over for a nice sit-down dinner and guess what? They’re using paper plates! Paper plates have their uses, no doubt, but I would NEVER serve my guests with paper plates for a decent sit-down dinner. Neither my mother nor grandmothers ever used paper plates. Guess it was just the way I was brought up. (I also rinse everything well in cold water before loading the dishwasher, then use the energy efficient setting.) People who use real dishes unite!!
Oh, God, you’re funny!! LOL!!
I’m holding out for explosive plates.
-PJ
Ask her if she uses disposable feminine hygiene products, or does she recycle rags like they used to do in the old days.
Be careful FReepaholic. Nothing is more dangerous than coming betweening a hotflashing woman and her source of cooling. Nothing. They must be a very forgiving bunch...they let you live.
I'm a two-time battle-scarred veteran of the Spouse Wars. I'm not afraid.
:-)
It’s like the paper-versus-plastic shopping bag dilemma: Kill a tree or strangle a fish? Personally, I don’t care...
No our mothers nor our grandmothers would ever have a sit down dinner and use paper plates. They had manners and knew etiquette. Yes, for a hot dog or sandwich for lunch or hoagies at night...paper plates are great. However, to sit anyone down to an actual dinner on paper plates is ludicrous.
I wonder why so many people register at places for gifts when half the time they don’t use the items? I’m like you. I love dishes and have many sets. I have one set of china. The rest are hand made pottery and all different. Sometimes when I used to have a buffet I would use ALL my dishes so that while everyone was standing in line for their food they could laugh and discuss the dishes each one of them had. It was a good conversation for everyone. Sometimes the guests would switch because someone wanted someone else’s plate. It was fun.
If we break one so be it. They are not expensive but they are pretty, charming, quaint and colorful. I would never insult my dinner guests by serving them on paper plates. Besides...after dinner it’s fun for everyone to clear the table and hang out in the kitchen washing and drying the dishes. Good conversation, good friends (both men and women) all enjoying glasses of wine or their fav beverage all the while helping with the clean up so we can get out the dessert dishes and begin again.
It boils down to Pride. It’s taking pride in what you do and how you do it. Making guests feel welcome. There is no better compliment than to have someone tell you how warm and inviting our home was and how comfortable and at home they felt while there.
That’s part of how I was raised too and I love every minute of it. Glad you do too and am sure there are more out there that feel the same.
It’s our home. If you can’t use and serve your family with your best stuff...then why have it? Love it and use it. That’s what it is there for.
My thoughts? Use whichever you like better.
Has nobody considered the amount of water that is utilized in the production of paper pulp (i.e. paper plates, paper towels, etc). The amount of water used to wash a dish doesn’t come close to the amount used to create paper products. Not to mention when a paper plate, for example, is sitting in a dump with tons of other non-biodegradable products, it certainly does not biodegrade quickly, by any means.
Well, this came back from the foggy recesses of the past! Have a look at this:
http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/sage/201101/paperplates/nittygritty.html
And recall that my office doesn’t have a dishwasher which would certainly be a more efficient way of cleaning the dishes than to have 30 or so highly paid employees standing in line to wash their plates at the sink— while the hot water is running for probably 20 minutes or so.
Not every scenario is the same— this was the one I was reacting to as my co-worker was bleating that we shouldn’t be using paper plates, but should rather be cleaning ceramic dinnerware on company time and expense with hot water running, etc.
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.