Paper Plates vs Washing Dishes | Which One is More Convenient?
In the fight over paper plates vs. washing dishes, people are only looking for the most sustainable and convenient to work with. Now, the answer to this puzzle can change depending on a number of aspects.
Some question the hygiene of using paper plates, and others want to know if the paper is made to be environmentally friendly.
In this article, we will take a deep look into the paper plates vs. washing dishes debate. We are going to talk about the various factors that influence the convenience and sustainability of each one.
Paper Plates vs Washing Dishes
Let’s compare them;
1. Time and Effort
The main convenience of using paper plates over dishes is the time and effort it saves on washing them.
Once your meal is finished, the paper plates are quickly discarded instead of being preserved like important documents. This can be especially favorable when you’re short of time or don’t have the energy for extra work.
On the other hand, washing dishes have the opposite effect on you. It involves standing over your sink to scrub, rinse, and dry each dish you use. It’s an even bigger hassle when you’re eating in large gatherings.
2. Hygiene and Health
When considering the hygiene of paper plates vs. washing dishes, the latter seems preferable. Owning dishes allows for strict sanitation practices like using anti-bacterial soap and hot water. You can make sure that all food residues and germs are completely removed.
However, paper plates also offer the same amount of hygiene, just without all the extra effort to keep it that way. They are kept in sealed plastic packaging so no dust or bacteria can get through. Paper plates also reduce the risk of cross-contamination since they are only for single use.
3. Cost Considerations
In the paper plates vs. washing dishes fight, this is where dishes would win. That’s because dishes are reusable; they don’t need to be thrown away after a single use. The cost of dishes would be an investment that could last years.
Since paper plates are single-use, they’re only suitable for large gatherings and special occasions. But the cost of regularly buying them for every meal would eventually pile up and contribute to your daily expenses. They could even surpass the water bill that washes your dishes.
4. Durability
The durability of paper plates and dishes depends on their tensile strength. This is the maximum load a material can handle on stretching before permanently breaking. If you’re wondering, “How do you calculate tensile strength of paper?”, here is the formula:
Tensile Strength=Force/Area
Glass generally has a higher tensile strength than paper, so dishes are more durable. However, unlike paper plates, they shatter easily on falling. In situations where dishes could break easily, like around children or out on a picnic, paper plates are the more durable option.
5. Environmental Impact
When it comes to the environmental impact of paper plates vs. washing dishes, people have a number of concerns. They ask questions like “What are paper plates made of?” or “Are paper plates biodegradable?” Well, you’ll be happy to know paper plates are eco-friendly in ways plastic or metal dishes can’t replicate.
For those asking, paper plates are actually biodegradable. Since paper plates are made mainly of wood pulp, they only take 45-60 days to decompose. Another benefit is that paper plates can be recycled; they’re pressed and reshaped into new paper products.
Conclusion
If we compare paper plates vs. washing dishes, it’s clear that the paper plates come out on top. They take less time and labor to clean up, are more durable than fragile glass dishes, and have a more beneficial impact on the environment.
If you also want to make use of recycled, high-quality paper, visit us at PaperPapers. We have a vast collection of papers to choose from and top-notch recycling tips that you’re sure to find interesting.
