[doydie]

I forgot to get disposable spoons at Walmart today. I have only 4 left. Before anyone asks, I am not doing the environment any good and even though I do do some conscious efforts I do use my styrofoam bowls and plastic spoons. We don't cook much therefore the dishwasher doesn't fill very quickly and I use throw away stuff. I also don't immediately throw away my bowl and spoon when I use them. They pile up on my desk. So I noticed I had 5 spoons in my office. So I washed them! We used to scold Mom for doing that. They are disposable for a reason Mom, throw them away. But I only had 3 left and I use two a day, one for my Yogurt and the other for my bedtime snack. So I have 5 spoons sitting out to dry on the counter.

[NurseNancy]

actually i think that's a great idea if you want to bother with it.
they make suck good quality plastic disposable that washing it can really save you some $$$$.

[Erin524]

I had to use a serving fork to eat my lunch today because my mom was refusing to wash dishes because the dishwasher was "not full enough" to wash the dishes.

Every single fork, most of the spoons, and all but three knives were in the dishwasher. There was space for maybe two plates and a cup or two.

I think if you're almost completely out of silverware and most of the spaces for dishes were filled. The dishwasher is full enough.

My mom finally gave in and turned the dishwasher on when I pointed out that we would need something to eat pie with later.

She wasn't going to do dishes because she and my dad went out to eat. I'm kind of stuck at home with a bad sinus infection that's setting off an MS flare and I can barely walk. I offered to turn the machine on myself, and so did my dad, and she screamed and wouldn't let us touch it. Good thing she started it too. She won't let us touch the dishwasher, but then she lets dirty dishes sit in there and ferment for five or six days before she'll turn it on. It was starting to smell. Half tempted to run the dishes thru again to make sure they're clean.

We used to have plastic forks and knives that are individually wrapped, but she tossed them because she claimed we don't need them. I'm going to start my own stash of individually wrapped plastic forks and knives for when I'm picnicking in my bedroom.

[Blessings2You]

My husband has his evening snack on one of those plastic disposable plates with the three sections. He washes it every day until it starts to crack, then we throw it away and get out a new one. Works for us.

I remember my mother rinsing out bread bags, drying them upside down over a milk bottle, then folding them away in the pantry for later use. I'm thinking she spent more in hot water rinsing the bags than buying baggies.

Is it more "green" to use the electricity for the water pump and hot water heater to wash two plates, or to use two paper plates?

[Kitty]

I used to be very "green". But as MS progressed and things got more difficult to do I slowly changed. Now, I do what's easiest for me. I have to conserve my energy. And not do things that might result in injury.

I buy disposable plates from time to time. I tried using them for feeding the outside kitties but they weren't heavy enough. Now I buy the luncheon size for everyday use. I haven't tried the disposable forks and spoons but think it's a good idea. I might just have to try them next!

[SallyC]

I don't like plastic forks, spoons, knives or plates. I use paper
plates and 1 rewash my silverware, after every meal. Only use
reusable plastic plates on special occasions ..LOL

Don't use the dishwasher much anymore. No need.. I don't
cook anymore!!!

[Erika]

Ha! Most of my "food" goes through a blender these days...so a large mug and the blender cup to wash is about it. If I soup or something like that, I just wash the bowl, the pot and the spoon under the tap with a dish soapy brush after I use them.
I seldom put the dishes and pot that I use away in the cupboard; prefering to just store them in the dishrack. I don't own a dishwasher, but it would take forever to get full anyway.

With love, Erika

[Mariel]

After years of working when I could hardly stand up, I figure I can absorb some small luxuries like turning the dishwasher on when it's only 80% full. It is a sterilization mechanism, for one thing, so there are less germs marching around my kitchen. I do work very hard to save money but not on the dishwasher.

[Erin524]

my parents used to be big time recyclers. Well, my mom was. That pretty much ended last summer when she nearly died from the West Nile virus she had. My dad and I quit recycling bottles because neither of us had the energy to lug the recycle box out to the curb with all the newspaper and bottles in it. We were pretty much lucky just to get the regular trash out.

My mom remembers recycling things, and I think she tried for awhile when she first got home from being in the hospital for two months, but realized that she wasn't up to it anymore. We told her she recycled long before it was cool to recycle, so she can let it go now. Since she recycled for so long. (I can remember when I was younger than 10yrs old, she was saving newspaper and taking it to the humane society for the animals to use)

We actually ended up calling our trash company to ask if they could get our trash bin from the front of the house to empty and bring it back up, since none of us are really capable of getting our trash down to the curb and bringing the bin back up.

I reuse plastic bottles a few times before tossing them. I fill them with water so I don't have to go all the way upstairs for a fresh bottle. I've also taken canned pop and poured it into a plastic bottle so that I can drink pop in my room and not worry as much about spilling something onto the carpet or into my computer keyboards.

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by Erin524

We actually ended up calling our trash company to ask if they could get our trash bin from the front of the house to empty and bring it back up, since none of us are really capable of getting our trash down to the curb and bringing the bin back up.

My trash collection company has been very helpful and understanding. I called and asked if they could pick up my trash from in front of the garage and they only required a doctor's note.....which I easily got. Now, I can take the trash out because it's just right in front of the garage door......and the trash collector comes down my driveway and takes the container back to the truck and then, once it's emptied, puts it back in front of the garage. I can't tell you how helpful that is. I'm going to have to remember him come Christmas time.

I put what little bit of recycling I accumulate out with the trash and the man that drives the recycling truck comes down the driveway to pick that up, too.

Good guys!!