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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to only ever use disposable cutlery/ plates

34 replies

moogster1a · 31/12/2010 16:45

we're now onto our 5th day with no water.
The downside is being smelly and greasy haired and having to go to the swimming baths to clean ourselves.
The upside is no washing up! I've bought plastic cutlery and paper plates and after every meal they just go in the bin. It's fab! They cost 79 p per 100 for the cutlery and about the same for the plates. It may even be cheaper than washing up or using the dishwasher.
AIBU to continue using disposable even when the water's back on? ( I would dust off real plates for visitors ).

OP posts:
IloveJudgeJudy · 31/12/2010 16:49

Poor you! I just cannot imagine your situation. YANBU to use disposables now, but you would be to use them all the time when the water's back on.

IMO they make food not taste as nice.

In this house we are really thinking of all the people who don't have water. You all seem to be coping remarkably well.

LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse · 31/12/2010 16:50

I would if I could remember to buy them. Definitely.

Carrotsandcelery · 31/12/2010 16:51

I think environmentally it would be irresponsible - especially the plastic cutlery.

If the plates were paper and from a sustainable source then that might have about the same impact as the pollution caused by washing dishes.
Could you compromise and wash the cutlery and use paper plates.
How do you cook your food? You can't be able to use pots and pans. What an absolute nightmare. You have my complete sympathy.

waitwhat · 31/12/2010 16:51

Sounds great to me! Imagine no more dishes[dreamyemote]

Not sure how eco it is though

TheVisitor · 31/12/2010 16:51

Whilst you don't have water it's perfectly reasonable. However, once the water's back on it would be more crap going into landfill and irresponsible.

Loshad · 31/12/2010 16:54

loads of sympathy for the no water affair - we were frozen and water less for 2 days and it was not good. Of course for now disposable are the way to go, but long term it's not very sustainable.

LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse · 31/12/2010 16:56

definition of irresponsibility to own immediate environs is to not use disposable stuff really

Original poster
moogster1a · 31/12/2010 17:01

Which is more enviromentaly friendly? Dishwasher or plastic cutlery? ( genuine question; does the impact of lots of energy and water used not outweigh that used in manufacture of the plastic?)

OP posts:
panettoinydog · 31/12/2010 17:07

V wasteful.

And paper plates no good for soup or gravy.

AnnieLobeseder · 31/12/2010 17:11

Can I stick an oar in here and ask those of you who are aghast at the idea if you used disposable nappies? Cos there's absolutely no difference IMO. In fact, I often use the proper crockery vs paper plates analogy when explaining why I used cloth nappies. Grin

Sorry for the tough situation you're in OP, hope you get your water back soon, and of course YANBU to use paper plates for now.

TheVisitor · 31/12/2010 17:13

I used cloth many years ago. :P

Georgimama · 31/12/2010 17:15

I think dishwashers use less water than you use washing up by hand. My new one claims to anyway.

It's a tempting idea but food doesn't taste right to me off paper and plastic.

And I did use cloth nappies.

StealthPolarBear · 31/12/2010 17:16

Horrendous - are you in Ireland?
Our neighbours have a frozen pipe so no water but at least they are surrouinded by people who do iyswim. Can't imagine how hard it must be for whole communities to be without water - shops selling out etc.

panettoinydog · 31/12/2010 17:17

I have never believed those claims that dishwashers use less water than handwashing. I just don't see how it's possible.

YunoYurbubson · 31/12/2010 17:17

If there was a like button On mumsnet I would 'like' annie's post.

SarahStrattonsBaubles · 31/12/2010 17:17

Oh I'm a firm believer in dishwashers using less water Xmas Grin

Mumi · 31/12/2010 17:19

YABVU if you're not using recyclable or sustainably made cutlery and plates.

Georgimama · 31/12/2010 17:20

She's got no water Mumi!

WimpleOfTheBallet · 31/12/2010 17:23

I read about a woman who did this and then discoved tat there were chemicals in the plates whch were not good when combined with heat from cooke food.

Loshad · 31/12/2010 17:31

annie - yes i used washable nappies.

Original poster
moogster1a · 31/12/2010 17:33

MUMI, I'm not going to start looking for plates and cutlery made out of bamboo or whatever is more pc. I have other tasks such as collecting buckets of water from the stream to fill up the toilet for our ceremonial twice a day flush.
I'm sure my small use of water at the mo more than makes up for using plastic.

OP posts:
classydiva · 31/12/2010 18:30

Belfast has water now in most parts.

Hope yours comes back soon.

Flushing the toilet be the worst.

Mumi · 02/01/2011 02:13

GeorgieMama and moogster1a
Yes, I did read the OP, which also clearly asks "AIBU to continue using disposable even when the water's back on?".

goingmadinthecountry · 02/01/2011 02:31

Hope you get water soon. I'd be sorely tempted, if I'm honest, especially with kids from time to time. But I'm not especially green - recycle, try not to use and all that, but never used cloth nappies and would go back to 100w light bulbs for reading if only I could. So shoot me down - has been done before. Was annihilated on here once under a former name for using too much tin foil at Christmas!

ChippingIn · 02/01/2011 02:42

YANBU now

YWBU to continue when you get water back on - we really don't need more landfill waste :( Mind you, I have bought in quite a lot of bottled water - just in case, which is just as bad I guess.

I do dream of disposable clothing though!!

I hope you get your water back on soon!!