Disposable Plates and Plastic Implements

Disposable plates are probably as old as the human desire to be rid of used dinnerware. Contemporary consumers are faced with many choices of disposable ware that range from paper to plastic, but the distinction between green disposable implements and other products is not always straightforward.

Paper plates are convenient and do not need washing after use. In general, they can become wet and weakened from the food that is served on them, so they are not reusable. Because they are disposable, they can simply be thrown away. They are somewhat green because they are biodegradable. However, many consumers believe that using a paper plate wastes trees and, therefore, do not view paper plates as green consumer goods. It is also the case that paper plates require energy to manufacture, which reduces their green character as biodegradable. If paper plates are burned as garbage, then they add to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Chinet is a brand name for heavy-duty paper plates. The plates are thicker and do not leak easily. The manufacturer of Chinet, Huhtamaki Americas, is a consciously green company that seeks to recycle its wastes. Chinet is biodegradable and can be made from recycled paper, which reduces waste and energy. Gardeners can place their used Chinet plates into compost piles for composting. The disposal of heavy paper products including paper cups can be accomplished with environmental integrity and safe sanitation if the products are rinsed before disposal in the compost pile. If placed into compost while coated with food, vermin may be attracted.

Bamboo-veneered plates, bowls, and serving dishes are currently marketed as an alternative to paper plates. They are biodegradable like paper plates. Disposable plates are also made of sugarcane and other biodegradable materials.

Styrofoam plates, made from polystyrene, are disposable. They are much less absorbent than paper plates. Some brands could stand up to hand washing and reuse. However, they are usually used once and then discarded into the garbage. Because they degrade over a long time in landfills, they are not very green. In addition, they are made from petroleum-based chemicals, which is not a green renewable resource. They also require a considerable amount of energy to manufacture.

There is a variety of disposable plastic tableware. Plastic plates, cup, bowls, flatware, and other utensils are available in a variety of thicknesses for strength. They come available in a variety of colors. This type of disposable tableware is common at weddings and other social events where there is a large gathering that is catered. They are cheap and easy to use. They do not require washing, which saves on water and energy. They could be reused, but many people would see this as being “cheap.”

Green consumers would not find disposable plastic tableware as green as paper plates because they are not readily biodegradable. However, if cleaned, they could be recycled if there were a recycling collection point that took plastic with their recycle number. Another negative aspect of using disposable plastic tableware is that they are made of plastic derived from petroleum. In addition, they require a significant amount of energy to manufacture. However, disposable tableware is not washed, and therefore water is not used, nor is dishwasher detergent or dishwashing soap. These would enter the wastewater stream as stresses on the waste disposal system and potentially become an environmental pollutant.

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