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Re-using paper plates and utensils
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Posted by toomuchglass (My Page) on Fri, Sep 28, 07 at 19:00
I used to laugh at my FIL for wanting to save the plastic knives and forks from a gathering ....We'd tease him that he was so cheap ! LOL *** NOW -- I find myself doing the same thing ! *** (I guess the shoe's on the other foot now )
I invested in Dixie plates - they're coated . It kills me to throw them away when they had nothing sloppy on them and are still useable. I wipe 'em off ! As for the utensils - those really sturdy knives and forks can last a L-O-N-G time ! ( The flimsy ones get tossed )
~~~~~~~~~ Tell me I'm not alone . *grin* |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| My wife washes and reuses the plastic cups we buy- but I don't get it. If you're going to wash and reuse them, why not use 'real' dishes and silver wear? I'll admit, if I don't make much of a mess on a paper plate- I'll keep it around for another meal, but once you've gotten soap and water involved- what have you saved? |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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Good question ! I Never thought of that . LOL
You have a great point ! |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| I save the money and don't buy plastic. My guests deserve to eat off the same plates we do... not plastic or paper. |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| I Didn't say for "guests" . |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| My DH is still complaining about his mother using paper plates at Christmas dinner. That was pretty bad. |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| No, I've never reused plastic tableware, or paper plates. That kind of defeats the whole purpose of them. I agree with the previous poster...why not just use the real deal if your going to go to all the bother of washing them? |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| Yes to silverware, no to plates. The plastic silverware goes in the dishwasher with the rest of the silverware. Of course anything that is really messy usually goes on our plastic plates (real plastic ones, not disposable picnic ones). I'm a little paranoid about food stuffs, especially the no-see-ums that can make you sick. You could always get the real paper plates for those not messy things, and then maybe you won't feel as bad about throwing them out. At less than a penny a plate, they're much cheaper than the plastic coated things. Also thinner, but they leak if you have anything messy on them. For taking a sandwich outside, they're great. And..... If I send my children outside with real silverware, I never see it again. It somehow becomes one with the earth. I may find the odd fork, usually with the lawnmower. The lawnmower cares if the utensil is plastic or metal. So plastic for outside use, the real stuff stays inside. =0) Mil |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| We keep disposable silverware in our camper because we want something that we can use, but not worry about destroying if we use it for a purose not intended. My dh eats off paper plates at home because that's just how he is. Otherwise, I buy the summer dishes you find in stores. They are sturdy enough to wash in the dishwasher and can be used outside without destrying them. I use regular breakable dishes if we are eating around the table inside. |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| I don't much see the point in disposable plates, after all you're never going to stop needing plates, so why throw them out. I use ceramic ones at home, but have a set of reusable plastic ones for picnics and taking food to friends houses and things. Regular metal cutlery is practically unbreakable, so just as good indoors or out. Some hot water and detergent to clean them must be cheaper and better for the environment too. I don't worry about breakages or loosing pieces. We don't have any treasured dinnerware or cutlery, it's all unmatched and second hand. The nice thing is, when nothing matches it doesn't matter if you break a piece. You can always find another that doesn't match. |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| Sorry... you are right; you did NOT say guests! Guess I just assumed that as I would not consider regularly using paper plates (and re-washing them for multiple use) for my family.... Still don't see the point, though... |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| I bought a plastic picnic set. Primary colors, plastic plates and knives forks spoons. We used it for outdoor meals and parties. I diligently collected the stuff before it got thrown out. And everyone laughed when I loaded it in the dishwasher. Sadly, a few pieces got melted or destroyed by the dishwasher. So the set is now gone. But if I ever see another like it, I'm buying. |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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That's ok Western - I mentioned my FIL doing it for gatherings. I'm beginning to see the point though - I'm washing stuff anyway .........
(never too old to learn ! ) |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| jannie, I hope that you laughed with 'em. When someone catches me out on one of my foibles, I laugh along. Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously, it seems to me. Hope you don't hit your finger when straightening nails for re-use - that's not quite so much a laughing matter. Recently my son asked about a black spot under my fingernail - I'd been repairing my rather battered mailbox last month. Some rural neighbour lads like to clobber 'em, late at night: big fun, I guess. Snowplough does, sometimes, as well. Question: How can a son who's achieved the advanced age of 45 have been able to have avoided hitting a finger when repairing something, resulting in a blood blister under the nail, for all of those years (well, the 37 years since he was 8)? Hope you all have a really fine week. ole joyful |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| I went to a restraurant supply place and for $50, bought 3 dozen almost unbreakable white plates and not too shabby flatware. I use them for outside eating and for large buffets. They go thru the dishwasher, hold a lot of food, don't leak and just recently, I realized I had to replace 6 plates and about 9 forks..3 years later they were right there and it cost a grand total of $6.78. Much better deal than paper and plastic! |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| I use paper/plastic plates to throw them away after. Why not just use plates if you are going to wash them anyway. We always use the metal tableware with paper plates, I hate that plastic fork and knife. I do reuse the plastic spoons. My grandson takes fruit cups, etc for lunch and I rewash those spoons. I also like to eat my yoguart with plastic spoons, so I rewash those also. Okay, my dad, he reuses everything! ha. |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| My Dad was so cheap, he never threw out anything used outdoors. He never bought garden hoses, he'd just cut and repair the old ones when he got a leak. And when he died, he left two "collections" in the garage. His power mower spare parts and bicycle part collection. My brother took anything he could use, and the rest went in a dumpster. |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils
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| Someone suggested I use paper cups and throw them away like they do. I tried that and found I still had to use the dishwasher for plates and other things, so may as well wash real glasses, doesn't cost anymore. I like to drink out of glasses anyway. |
RE: Re-using paper plates and utensils1234
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| I forgot to ad, I absolutely hate plastic flat ware. When we eat at Churches Chicken restaurants I take metal flatware if I remember to. I can't tear into the chicken with those fragile things. I end up using my fingers and I hate that. |
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