The Classic City Rotary of Athens Eco Passport is a year-long initiative to encourage members to engage in eco-friendly activities and promote environmental awareness. Members earn points by completing various sustainable actions, such as recycling, composting, attending environmental talks, and participating in service projects. ECORotary@sosuin.org
Eco Passport Item # 31 – “Use real dishes during holiday/gatherings (instead of disposable plates)”
By Salome Alvarez, Southern Sustainability Institute, Athens, GA
Email: Blog@sosuin.org
As you gather with friends and family to celebrate, one simple switch can make your holidays and gatherings more sustainable: using real dishes instead of disposable plates, cups, and cutlery. While disposable items may offer convenience, they come at a significant environmental cost. Choosing to use real dishes shows your commitment to reducing waste and protecting our planet—something Athens’ eco-conscious community values highly!
Why Real Dishes Make a Difference
Disposable plates, cups, and utensils may seem like a small indulgence, but the environmental impact is enormous. Millions of tons of single-use items end up in landfills each year, and the resources needed to produce and transport them add up quickly. By opting for real dishes, you’re contributing to a sustainable Athens while enjoying the benefits of a more meaningful and eco-friendly gathering.
Benefits of Using Real Dishes
Using real plates and utensils may seem like a small gesture, but it has lasting benefits:
- Reduce Landfill Waste: Disposable plates and cutlery often aren’t recyclable and end up in landfills, taking hundreds of years to decompose. By using real dishes, you’re keeping waste out of landfills and reducing Athens’ waste footprint.
- Lower Environmental Impact: Manufacturing and transporting disposable items use valuable resources like water, energy, and raw materials. Real dishes, which can be reused countless times, minimize resource usage and cut down on the emissions associated with single-use items.
- Create a More Memorable Gathering: Real dishes elevate the look and feel of your holiday meals, adding a personal and homey touch that disposable plates can’t replicate. They create a sense of tradition, making meals with family and friends more meaningful.
- Save Money in the Long Run: While disposable plates and cutlery might seem cheap, the costs add up over time. Investing in a set of reusable dishes saves you money in the long run and gives you more dining options for future gatherings.
- Support Athens’ Green Initiatives: Athens has a thriving community of environmentally conscious residents and organizations. By using real dishes, you’re aligning with local sustainability efforts and showing your support for Athens’ green goals.
Tips for Making Real Dishes Work for Gatherings
Switching to real dishes doesn’t have to be difficult, even for larger groups. Here are some tips to make it work for your next gathering:
- Plan Ahead for Dishes and Cleaning: If you’re hosting a large gathering, consider dividing up dishwashing tasks among guests, or using a dishwasher if you have one. Planning cleanup ahead of time can make using real dishes more manageable.
- Mix and Match Dishware: Don’t worry if you don’t have matching sets—mixing different plates and cups can add charm and character to your table. You can even ask friends or family members to bring a few extra pieces, turning it into a community affair.
- Consider Borrowing or Thrifting: If you’re short on plates or cups, check out local thrift stores in Athens like Project Safe Thrift Store or Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. These shops often have affordable dishware options, and you can find unique pieces that add personality to your table.
- Use Cloth Napkins: To further reduce waste, consider using cloth napkins instead of paper ones. They add a touch of elegance to the table and can be washed and reused, fitting right in with the eco-friendly theme.
- Compost Food Scraps: If you’re aiming for a zero-waste event, set up a compost bin for food scraps. Athens has several compost drop-off locations, or you can create your own compost bin at home to turn holiday waste into nutrient-rich soil.
Supporting Sustainability in Athens
Athens has a strong environmental community that encourages mindful consumption and waste reduction. By choosing to use real dishes at gatherings, you’re aligning with these values and setting an example for others. Organizations in Athens, including Classic City Rotary, often promote waste reduction, and making sustainable choices during the holidays is a meaningful way to support these efforts.
Celebrate Sustainably This Season
Switching to real dishes during the holidays is a small change with a big impact. Not only will you reduce waste, but you’ll also create a more memorable experience for your guests. Sustainable gatherings align with Athens’ environmental goals, helping to build a more eco-conscious and connected community.
So, this holiday season, serve your meals on real plates, pour drinks into reusable cups, and enjoy the benefits of hosting a celebration that’s as kind to the planet as it is to your guests. Together, we can make sustainable choices that preserve the beauty of Athens for generations to come.
Resources:
https://www.restaurantware.com/blogs/catering-essentials/disposable-vs-reusable-tableware-for-catering