Green Tip of the Day

A throw away fork here, a paper plate there…what’s the big deal? All those disposal eating tools can add up. In Japan, each person discards an average of 200 sets of chopsticks a year. With an estimated population of over 127 million people, that’s a lot of sticks. That may seem far away, but the same is happening in your own backyard. The U.S. throws out enough disposal dinner ware every year to circle the equator 300 times.

Investing in a good set of bamboo or steel travel wear would do you some good. They often have their own little cases or fold down to fit nicely in your purse, pocket or backup. Just pass on the plastic and use that nifty travel fork again, and again, and again.

If you’re at home, use a ceramic or reusable dish. Though the cleanup is more, the overall consumption is lower. Especially when washing those dishes with an Energy STAR dishwasher.

Reuse plastic forks, spoons and chopsticks around the house. Once their food ship has sailed, use them to help hold up plants as they grow.

Paper plates might be your knee jerk choice for your next party, however, there are other ways to save money and resources. Most people often have a bring your own drink policy so why not a bring your own plate one? Go for it and make your next party easy to clean, with no waste…BYOP

Have an eating preference? When hanging out with the crew, choose a restaurant where their policies are as good as the food. Support your local restaurant that’s making responsible packaging choices.

Bring in a set of reusable dinner ware to work, and encourage your co-workers to do the same. That company potluck tastes a lot better off your favorite ceramic plate.