I hate washing dishes too, but I hate putting unnecessary paper into our already too full landfills. I compost almost all the paper that comes into our home.

We seldom use paper plates, can't even remember the last time I bought them or if we have any in the house, Gayle. I try really hard no to create anymore trash than I have to.

We have a firepit and burn paper.
Gayle

Live alone here. No dishwasher. I use paper plates too.

Been using paper plates the past two or three weeks. Waaayyy too much trash. I didn't even buy anymore when I went to the market yesterday. I really don't mind washing dishes, actually like it. It's putting clean dishes away so I can wash the new dirty ones that bothers me for some strange reason. I HATE putting dishes away. Don't really think I would serve company on paper though unless it's someone close or family.

I use them all the time especially since I use the microwave most of the time. If I had real company I'd use a real plate.

Everytime there is a sale of 100 for XX I stock up. My local store sometimes has a loss leader of 100 for 50 cents

Seldom have family to treat, so when they DO come. I love to set a pretty table. No paper plates!

But if we are lounging around the fireplace and snacking, it's paper plates!

You're not alone. I like simplicity so we use pp all the time - daily. We buy in bulk at BJs. The only time I use real plates is when selective company comes or if the meal requires a more sturdy plate for cutting, etc. I keep the pp stacked on top of the real plates. Of course, it's just me and DH and he doesn't care what we use.

No, I don't like adding more trash to the landfills (or more pollution to the air--burning trash isn't legal in my state for that reason). Especially if the plates are styrofoam, plastic or plastic-coated paper.

I figure that using 'real' plates saves money and resources, so it's a win/win

And no--would never put out paper plates for company other than for something like the neighborhood block party.

I have paper plates but don't use them on a daily basis. When I have alot of people over for dinner I use the large heavy duty paper platters and serve buffet style. Everybody is happy and the women don't have to wash dishes. I would rather visit with my company than spend my time at the sink.

It's just Dh and me, we often use paper plates. I figure not running the dishwasher saves more energy, maybe just an equal trade off. That, and I hate washing dishes.

We use regular plates every day. The only time we use paper is if we're in a rush and are only having a bagel or slice of pizza, and then DH and I share a plate. For company I let out all the stops, even if the visiting "company" is "only" DS and his GF ;o)
BTW, we have 9 different sets of dishes so you'll probably understand my answer LOL.

I'm with the "too much waste" crowd. I feel guilty adding any more garbage to the world than I do already. I even recycle toilet paper rolls. When I'm camping I use washable light weight plates. If I do use paper while camping, I don't usually burn them because so many paper plates are coated with weird stuff. I'm kinda paranoid, LOL.

Paper is degradable. I use newspaper rather than other liners for my flower beds before adding new soil and plants.

Gayle

The only time we use paper plates is for a themed birthday or something like that. I even have a small set of plastic "melmac" for outdoor BBQs. If we have a large crowd for a picnic or BBQ then we use paper.

I have to run the dishwasher for pots, pans and flatware anyway so using real plates and glassware makes sense. I've even got DH used to taking his lunch to work in Tupperware containers so we don't use all the many wraps and baggies either.

Don't ask about our paper towel use though. That's where I am wasteful. I go through a lot of those.

No paper here, not even when camping, cooking out, etc.
I'm with wildchild on the paper towels...tons of them!

"melmac" now that is something to look into! Great for camping? Believe I'm sold on them, just put it on my to-do-list, thanks

Paper plates? --- not for us!

Too expensive over time, too much hassle to buy and store, too wasteful (they aren't biodegrading in the landfill....).

I use real plates daily. I'm in the too much waste/cost/storage dept. Once in a while we'll buy paper if we're having people over for a football and pizza party or a kids b-day party (think Elmo or Barney).

My one vice is straws though. I have pretty sensitive teeth and like to use a straw whenever I drink, except tap water. I buy the big bags of 300 or so! I hate to think how many of my straws are in a landfill somewhere!!

I never use them but last month we went to my SIL's house & had cold sandwiches on paper plates for Christmas "dinner". Quite a surprise I must say.

real breakable plates here. Just feels better to me.

Moni

I hate paper plates, paper cups and paper napkins....

We buy paper plates...but just for a quick sandwich or I use them to peel potatoes on. Easy to pick up and toss.

But I hate the taste of food off a paper plate.
I don't care if it means dishes to wash....I'd rather eat off a real dish.

patti

I guess I like to make work for myself,because I never use paper plates.
We even use regular plates when we eat outside on the patio during the summer.
I do have a dishwasher though,so I'm not too concerned about the cleanup aspect of it.

I use them sometimes for lunch if DH and DD are here. Never use them for dinner unless we have a large crowd. Like Nita said, who wants to do dishes when we could visit instead.

I use paper if I have a big crowd for a backyard BBQ. I prefer real plates, I just don't have enough to handle more than a dozen people - especially for second helpings. For cook-outs I usually feed people when they first arrive. Then we play. Then I feed 'em again in the evening before they leave. I don't clean up until it's over.

I don't use paper plates but I do have a thought for all of you who are saying that paper plates is a waste on resources.

Paper plates are biodegradeable, at least most are.
Dishwashers take a lot of water to use and in many places, water is a valuable commodity. It shouldn't be wasted either.

NO paper plates here. And very surprised that so many do use them.

Most days we use plastic washable plates, especially the kids. Otherwise, it's Corelle plates.
When the kids are home all day during school breaks I give them lunch on a paper plate- or I'd run my dishwasher twice a day and couldn't keep up!
I have used paper plates when company is here for certain kinds of situations. But it's not a regular thing.

Paper cups I only keep around in the summer, when I'm likely to have 10-12 kids in my yard. Then I fill the big Coleman drink cooler with ice water and leave in in the garage with paper cups. I leave enough cups for each kid, a marker, they only get one cup while they're here. If I let them, 10 kids would go through 50 cups in a day.

It's kinda like the paper vs. plastic debate at the grocery store, huh? :-) Both have pros and cons. I figure washing regular dishes uses water -- and ask those in a drought (or who have been in one) how precious water is!

We do some of both. My "good plates" are glass and don't go in the microwave, but some stuff (like steaks) just need something solid to cut on. We're probably 50/50 around here.

Paper plates directly in dirt would decompose pretty quickly. Paper plates in a landfill, surrounded by garbage, probably won't decompose for decades or longer.

I agree that dishwashers use tons of water/energy. Washing by hand is the best, although by far most annoying, way to go.

I think there is occasions for both. At lunch paper plates for sandwiches, chips etc. We used them in the trailer while we were traveling,but used good plastic ones when at camp. Good plastic/paper plates are pricy also. It really does not take much to wash a few plates by hand.

We often use paper plates for lunch if it's just sandwiches and salad of some sort. I have a Corelle set that's seen 20+ years of use which is standard for dinner. The dishwasher is only run 1-2 times a week, so I think that's a fair tradeoff. By the way, I have way too many duplicate utensils for an ordinary person..so I can run the DW only 1-2 times a week. Big pots and pans get hand-washed along with any utensils I might want before the next dishwasher run, but that's no biggy.

We use paper plates almost every day. DS uses them in the morning when he is just having a breakfast bar then reuses it for his PB & J for lunch. That is about the only time I use them. We try to get 2 or 3 uses out of them. If it is not messy dirty at lunch, why not use it later for the cookies or cake.

And washing dishes by hand or dishwasher uses a lot more energy and water, and the soap pollutes the enviroment. Not to mention the amount of energy it took to make that dishwasher soap, so I figure it is a draw.
Clare

I use paper plates for lunch almost every day and sometimes for dinner. I never use them for sloppy food, just things like sandwiches and pizza.

I never use paper plates when we have dinner guests, even if we're eating outside. I hate trying to cut meat on a paper plate that's in my lap.

As far as the waste issue: we burn all our paper trash (tissues, paper towels, junk mail, etc.), not in an open barrel or fire pit, but in a wood-fired boiler (the gray building on the left; the brown building is a chicken coop):

This boiler heats our home, hot water, and spa using wood from our property (dead wood only, no live trees are cut except those that are diseased or hazard trees.) We have spring water. So when I do use real dishes, it costs very little to wash them, just electricity for the dishwasher and pumps.

My mom has a paper plate dispenser on her kitchen counter that says "Country China" :-)

I always have paper plates on hand, but only use them for things like pizza, sandwiches, or desserts. I also cannot STAND the cheapie ones, so I buy a decent quality. HOw does a person use a knife to cut meat on a paper plate?

I use them every day for every meal and my bunch still can't throw them in the trash! One of my pet peeves,leaving the dirty dish on the counter rather than scraping and placing in the sink.LOL I buy the sturdier ones also and if we just eat a sandwich or something dry I wipe it out with a damp paper towel and use it again.Don't tell my family though.LOL

When sons were teens, I started buying paper plates for snacks because I would go to set the table for dinner only to find the afternoon snacks dirtied too many dishes which had to be washed for dinner. We use them for snacks to this day.

I have them in the house and use them in a pinch. Not on a regular basis but maybe if dishwasher is full or for sandwiches at lunch.

since there is just the 2 of us anymore (unless you count the cats) we use paper plates everyday..so do the cats...

I use them everyday in the 5th wheel....and plastic throw away cups....we use way to much if we use "real" and I am always in the kithcen washing them!!! At home we use them just for heating stuff in the microwave or sandwichs....but I have a dishwasher at home...I can see the pros and cons on both...Stacy

-Breakfast and Lunch for kids, DH and I: Paper plates, paper bowls
-Dinner for kids, DH and I: Dishes
-Guests: Dishes

Blessings,
Haley

We also use them every day,DH gets the nice sturdy ones at costco.We don't now nor have we ever had a dish washer.As i tell folks,"i am the dishwasher".
Kathi

I seldom use paper plates or paper napkins...usually just when there's a birthday or other event at work.

I use paper plates and plastic throw-away cups. I'm gone to work 12 hours a day, and I hate dishes. This cuts down on my time spent doing stupid dishes. And I get on the kids, too, when they use regular plates, and I make them wash them.
Also, at holidays, I use those bigger paper plates that are divided into sections. Less dishes for me, and better anyway in my opinion because all of your foods don't touch (yuck!).