What is more environmentally friendly? Disposable cups or washing glasses in detergent producing waste water?

Answer 1

Washing glasses in detergent is far more environmentally friendly than buying disposable cups for ever time you want a drink.

Most disposible cups are made from either polystyrene or plastics so their production is far more damaging to the environment than glass production. Also they take longer to break down so will be hanging around for much longer than galss will which can be re-cycled.

Although you would be producing waste water by washing the glasses, the water will be recycled too as is will be treated and put back into the water system. Make sure that the detergent you use is environmentally friendly if you can (Ecover is a good one) but as long as you don't use too much of it then it is a far better way to go.

Answer 2

Washing glasses, As this will not be filling any land fill sites up. And as most water treatment plants treat the water well enough that it is clean enough to drink whats the problem. If you were given a glass of water that had been treated and not told so you would not be able to tell the difference.

Answer 3

Water is recycled by every county and does not disappear.

Synthetic cups/products may remain in landifills for ever, aside from the fact they are made from and consume our resources such as oil by-products.

Answer 4

depends on the detergent. if its bio-degradable soap, then washing dishes is better because the soap turns into fertilizer and the grey water can be used to water the plants.

Answer 5

what's the disposable cup made of? recycleable paper or plastic? Go for recycleable paper cups.

Answer 6

Disposable, biodegradable cups would be neat.(^_^)
Or use a eco-friendly detergent.(^_^)

But personally, I vie for the cool cups.(^_^)

Answer 7

You could use disposable cups then recycle them.