What uses less energy: disposable plates & flatware at the office or dishwashing real plates and forks?
by admin on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 | 3 Comments
We all know how much waste disposable flatware and plates produce at the office, but I need to find an energy comparison that proves energy efficient dishwashers and real plates and forks are better for the environment. Does anyone have have any statistics ?
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- Affiliate Marketing Statistics « Custom Hats
- Publishing: Statistics: Slides from Recent Presentation by CEO of Wolters Kluwer, Nancy McKinstry, at 2010 Beijing International Publishing Forum « ResourceShelf
- » Precisely how Portable Dishwashers Can Help
See the link for graphs and numerical details.
The results are extremely sensitive to the amount of energy the dishwasher requires for cleaning each cup. Hocking’s choice for the dishwasher, requiring 0.18 MJ/cup-wash, is barely less than the manufacturing energy of the foam cup, 0.19 MJ/cup. If Hocking had chosen even a slightly less energy-efficient dishwasher as his standard, then the reusable cups would never have broken even with the foam cup.
The lesson of this life-cycle energy analysis is that the choice between reusable and disposable cups doesn’t matter much in its overall environmental impact. One should use one’s best judgement.
I have no stats. just opinion
I say paper plates and cups would be the lesser of two evil. Sure real plates can be washed but that does cost energy and water. Paper plates and cups can be made from reuseable materials and probably are better for the enviorment since you should be able to recycle them again if fairly clean. Real plates and utinsels require the raw material, ceramics for the plates and bowls, and metal for the forks and knifes and spoons. The smelting of metals causes metal to be emitted into the air, causing acid rain, while the taking of raw materials for the ceramics causing some stripping of lands for the clay and such. whereas trees are replantable and recycleable paper products so much easier to use. Does leave a nasty mess if not recycled or reused, or incinerate it for fuel.
The stats are above, but here’s something else – reuse. If everyone in your office brought in some old cups, plates and utensils instead of buying new, that would reduce the impact, and be more efficient since your are extending the life span. Also, is a dishwasher absolutely necessary? My office has one and we always set it on the most energy efficient setting on a short cycle – it’s just coffee cups and spoons for the most part.
Here’s another thought. Someone has to purchase these items. If they are bought new, reusable items require 1 trip to the store in probably a car where disposable items would have to be continuously replaced. There is more energy. Where do the items come from as well? local or international….more energy the further it travels. Plus, what are the environmental standards of that country? more negative impact perhaps.
So many different angles to this one….good question.