To think using paper plates is the height of lazy.

[TheDarkHouse]

I keep seeing reels and videos of people, mostly (if not all) Americans serving up dinner on either polystyrene plates or paper plates.

AIBU to think that’s laziness/time saving/convenience too far? Most videos these people have decent kitchens so presumably can house a dishwasher. Not that hard, nor time consuming to stack plates.

Disposable tableware for day to day dining seems the height of laziness.

We were on holiday in the US last year with some American friends and they frequently served dinner on polystyrene plates they’d brought with them. We were staying in Air bnbs with dishwashers. Single use plastic out there is out of control - I hate it.

I get biodegradable ones and chuck them in the composter.

I don't drive, I don't go on long haul (or even short haul) flights, I buy second hand where I can, have deliberately reduced my plastic use to about half what it was over the last year.... pretty sure most of you "bad for the environment" lot do lot more shit than I do by using less than 20 paper plates a month 🤣

With just one general waste collection a fortnight, our wheelie bin can't cram in more on an everyday basis. Paper plates are really bulky - one meal for the whole family is practically half a bin bag already

It is lazy but they can serve a purpose. Years ago when we rented and had no dishwasher I used to buy them as a special treat when my husband went away :D (no kids at the time but v busy professionally)

Not that big of a deal, paper is grown in renewable forests and the trees help remove co2 and generate oxygen so keeping the paper industry going means more new trees.

Setting aside the environmental disaster argument, why would you want to eat of a paper plate? (Unless its a buffet at a party)
This just circles back to another thread on here about people getting scruffier!! I can't imagine serving food to guests on a sodding paper plate.
I am not posh (sadly) but surely the bare minimum is porcelain plates and stainless steel cutlery for a meal.
I don't want to be part of a society that sits there, unshowered, in unwashed joggers eating my evening meal off a paper plate.
I so wish I could go back in time to the days people used a full dinner service at meal times.

I do love (washable, reusable) plastic beakers and cereal bowls though, like kids use. I love the security knowing if I drop it, it won't shatter. Not that I drop glassware very often! It's a bit irrational

Terrible for the environment and I judge it as lazy and selfish.

I knew a guy at uni who used paper plates and disposal cutlery for all meals because he couldn't be arsed with washing up.

In hotels?? If I got served food at a hotel or restaurant on a paper plate I would have serious doubts about the quality of the food.

It affects us all because it's even more throwaway rubbish to add to the mountains of rubbish

Yeah I think I'd feel a bit forlorn.

I used to think that at uni about a few of my friends who didn't bother with bedsheets or duvet covers. Just slept on bare mattress with bare duvet. Just feels like forgoing the most basic, inexpensive luxury.

In any case though, paper plates aren't exactly that cheap if you use them regularly

So are dishwashers.

Unless there is is a good reason such as having no water to wash up or no arms, I think its quite disgusting that people would do this. So bloody wasteful and we supposedly care about these things.

Last time I used paper plates was when we were having our kitchen renovated.

I agree with you op. I see lots of American "cookery" videos and I'm also shocked by all the disposable plates they use. They also use those disposable baking dishes. So lazy and wasteful

Not necessarily. Lots of dishwashers are actually fairly economical in terms of how much water they use.

@DonnaBanana It's a huge deal because

• not all are FSC certified trees so may be causing deforestation and further damage to endangered species.
• carbon from production and shipping
• normally they are coated in plastic and not recyclable
• even recyclable plates are usually too soiled so not actually recyclable.
• stuff that isnt recycled is landfulled or burnt, both of which are damaging to the environment

All because some idot thinks they've found a life hack.

People need to wake up and realise the population of the planet cannot sustain a single use lifestyle.

World Earth Day is a day when we have used up all the sustainable and renewable resources on Earth.

This year it is on April 22. APRIL.

And it's not ok to think fuck the orangutans whose habitat is being destroyed because I drive a car once a week so I might as well not bother.

I've been known to serve food on plain A4 paper.

And what happens to them and their components when they're broken?

You're so cool

Unless it’s a very large gathering or kid’s party, I would never use paper plates. Can’t be recycled once greasy/ food stained.

I bet half the people on this thread are so concerned about the planet they don't drive or fly to go holiday.

I'm actually flabbergasted by people justifying it by saying "Well I don't have a car or dishwasher so I've earned enough eco points to add more rubbish to the planet instead and I'm happy with this decision." Seriously man

I don't. Never driven, never flown.

I bet a fair few are happy to pollute the air with their fancy wood burners too.