Disposable tableware facts for kids
Disposable tableware includes all the items you use for eating and drinking that are designed to be thrown away after just one use. This means things like:
- Cups made of paper, plastic, or paper with a special coating
- Plates
- Tablecloths
- Placemats
- Plastic forks, spoons, and knives (cutlery)
- Paper napkins
You often see these products in places like fast food restaurants or when you get takeaway food. Airlines also use them for meals during flights. At home, many people like to use disposable tableware for parties or picnics because it makes cleaning up super quick and easy!
The market for disposable tableware is huge. In 2012, people in the US alone spent an estimated $7.5 billion on these products!
What are the materials used?
Most disposable tableware is made from materials like paper, different types of plastic (including a foamy plastic called expanded polystyrene), or paper that has a plastic coating.
How do they impact our planet?
Just like disposable cups, these items can cause problems for our environment. Here's why:
- Waste problem: When we throw away disposable tableware, it often ends up in landfills. This creates a lot of trash that takes a very long time to break down.
- Recycling challenges: It's often hard to recycle these items. Paper plates and cups, especially if they have food scraps or grease on them, can be difficult to recycle properly. This is because the food makes the recycled material less useful. Also, many of the items themselves come in plastic packaging, adding even more waste.
What about eco-friendly options?
Scientists and companies are working hard to create disposable tableware from materials that are better for the Earth. Some of these newer materials include:
- Sugarcane
- Bamboo
- Wheat straw
- Palm leaves
- Different types of flour (like rice, wheat, or sorghum)
These materials are often called "biodegradable" or "compostable," which means they should break down naturally over time. However, it's important to know that even these materials sometimes don't break down well in a typical landfill environment. This is because landfills are often packed so tightly that air and moisture can't get in easily, which is needed for things to decompose.
