Is it more cost efficient for a home to use paper plates and solo cups or actual dishes and glasses?

Question

I know that it's terrible for the environment to use disposable cups and dishes on a regular basis, but would it actually be most cost-effective to buy disposable products than using a dishwasher to clean dishes and glasses?

I was hoping someone could show me a study or some hard numbers here--I suspect disposable for an average household is NOT cost effective, but I need proof to make my folks stop this nonsense. :-)

Answer 1

Actually dish washers use less water than washing dishes by hand, to increase savings, you should look for a dish washer that has the "Energy Star" logo on it, as this will also save you money off of your energy bill.

I know washing dishes can be a pain, but think about it this way, the 10 minutes combined, it takes to load and unload a dish washer, are better than the hour or more spent at the grocery store buying paper plates. Because it is bad for the environment, we all really should stop calling it "annoying" to take a few minutes or a few small steps, to decrease our harmful impact on the environment. I'm not trying to preach to you, just wanted to comment on that, because a few answers use that excuse.

If you decide to stick with the paper plates, maybe there are other areas where you can cut down cost, as the main point of your question, was about cost efficiency. I would suggest going to the Energy Star web site.

Answer 2

Cost Of Paper Plates

Answer 3

I think you are still going to have things to clean from a meal so there will still be washing going on. Since it uses less energy to clean by dishwasher than to run a lot of water in your sink you are probably going to use a dishwasher anyway.

Unless you have a way to deal with the rest of what needs cleaning (maybe paper pots and pans or doing only takeout) then the dishwasher wins.

If you want to help the environment in this way you might try using the solo cups if you just want a sip of water or something - that will avoid running it often just for a bunch of almost-clean glasses. That would be some saving at least.

Answer 4

Using a dishwasher actually uses less water than you would if you were washing dishes yourself. It costs a great deal of energy to produce the cups and plates and yes, you are filling up the landfills. Calculate how many cups and plates you use per month and the cost for that and compare to how much dishwashing detergent you actually go through in a month. I'd bet that it's much cheaper to use real plates and glasses and fill up the dishwasher.

Answer 5

Stay with real dishes and glasses. You have to pay for the paper plates and glasses, that costs money. Of course you have to pay for elect for the dishwasher and a litttle soap. Any cost savings of the paper stuff won't justify the disposable stuff, to hurt the environment. Besides, the paper stuff is horrible and uncivilized to use.

Answer 6

Paper plates, etc.. perhaps more efficient if you had a large number of CLOSE friends over for an outing.. yes but for the regular family.. I would tend to say NO.. NOW.. when it comes to the dishwasher.. one should save water and electricity so if you do use the dishwasher.. make sure it is FULL of dishes and not just a few in order to make proper use of water, etc.

Answer 7

It would be cheaper to use dishes and glasses provided you will wash them manually. It will be more expensive if you will use dishwashers. Between dishwashers and disposable plates and cups - go for the disposables.

Answer 8

Don't use a dish washer. Wash the plate or cup as you dirty it. That way it's only a few dishes at a time and you aren't wasting gallons using a dishwasher.

Answer 9

Glasses and dishes are more cost effective in the long run. Unless you throw them out like paper plates.

Answer 10

Actual dishes and glasses. If you really want to save on money, forget about the dishwasher and wash by hand.