Which one is better for the enviorment? washing your dishes or having disposable ones?

Best Answer

I would definitely say washing your dishes is by far better for the environment. But you have to wash them the correct way or it can be very wasteful.
I have an electric dishwasher, but I only use it once every few months, and then again, only when I have a full load. I use it just to keep it workable and the gaskets to seal and not dry out.
When washing dishes in my sink I turn my hot water heater (gas) on and start running hot water in the washing sink. As I individually wash each item, I rinse it off in the washing sink with hot water, thus gradually filling up that sink with hot, soapy water. I do all ofthe dishes that way, and when I%26#039;m finished I have fully rinsed dishes and a washing sink full of hot soapy water for the next round of dishes to soak in and be washed in the next day or two.
That%26#039;s my system.
My water bill runs $5.00/mo. and my gas bill (hot water) runs about $15-30/mo. That includes showers, etc.
My system is the envy of my friends and acquaintances, but they tease me for being cheap. I laugh all the way to the bank.
Using disposable dishes is totally wasteful and is just creating more trash to be disposed of, and is wasting resources. Plus it is very expensive when considering my alternative. personal experience

Asker's Rating:

lol...im going to give it a try
(and laugh all the way to the bank too.)

Other Answers (10)

• In the future, it%26#039;s possible the answer will be %26#039;disposable%26#039; will be replaced with recyclable. Currently recycling facilities can%26#039;t accept paper plates with food waste due to contamination. New Technologies will be able to sort out the food waste for composting and then recycle the paper/paperboard plates.
  
  Sometimes there are no easy answers when it comes to environment. Be patient. Study your local water and landfill situation.
• it depends what the dishes are made of of course - if they were made of recycled unbleached cardboard then they would prob be better, but a manufacturer would never get that past health and safety regs.
  You can make your washing up more environmentally friendly with the way you do it - less water, biodegradeable liquid etc.
• Washing your dishes is a lot better. Also if you live with a lot of people. Using a dishwasher is a lot more environmentally friendly because it uses less water than washing them one by one in a sink.
• i think washing your dishes since it only takes electricity and water, and water is infinitely reusable. paper plates can be recycled but recycling takes a lot of energy to do and most people just throw them in the trash anyway,
• washing your dishes, if you are worried about wasting water, its is a lot easier to filter drainage than to recycle plastic. When I say easier I mean more efficient, quicker, and cheaper.
• the one that involves work ,not just throwing away a product that you have to keep buying
  so washing the dishes is best
  Like grandma used to do.
• Washing your dishes.
  
  It reduces landfill waste and energy used to recycle and create more disposable items. It also costs you less as a consumer!
• hmm,,i think washin them, unless u plan on recyclin the disposable ones. i think. s =
• washing your dishes, in safe detergents without running the water excessively
• the 2nd.you can burn them come winter.