[Rjevski]

Plates are paper so the environmental impact should be relatively low. I agree that the plastic forks are still a problem but haven't really found a solution. I do wonder though, would never having to wash dishes offset the impact of disposable cutlery?

Edit: never mind, see below. Apparently paper still has a ton of impact as far as manufacturing it goes (it's not just renewable trees, there are chemicals involved).

[toomanybeersies]

I had to figure this out for an assignment at university. The answer is no, it doesn't offset the impact of disposable cutlery. Plates are a bit trickier, since they break, but cutlery lasts practically forever, I've got 30 year old knives and forks that are still going strong.

This is especially true if you use a dishwasher, modern dishwashers are very efficient.

[Topgamer7]

The creation of paper is chemically intensive, from processing to dyes to color it. It is not environmentally friendly.

[kimdotcom]

So, no toilet paper and paper towels then?

Just a washcloth and bidet?

[Topgamer7]

Certainly more environmentally friendly, although transitioning to those for public settings requires more maintenance and procedure than simply having a waste basket in the bathroom.

My girlfriend did exchange in Brazil and fell in love with bidets there.

[nso95]

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Stix-Cutlery-Kit-200ct-Dispos...

[jolmg]

Offset the impact on the environment? I don't think so. How is it harmful to the environment if you wash dishes?

[Rjevski]

Well you use water. My question was whether paper plates (which I - wrongly - assumed were pretty much free from an environment point of view) had a lower impact than purifying & transporting water (and the maintenance of pipes/etc) needed to wash conventional cutlery.

[jolmg]

I might be very ignorant here, but I would think that anything that goes down the drain is very biodegradable (it's food). Sure, it's better for the environment if we didn't contaminate the water with food, but I don't think it can compare to the time it takes for plastic or paper to break down.

[kimdotcom]

And the soap/detergent and food remnants being processed at the sewage plant, or the septic pumping truck that cleans out your tank and transports the waste.