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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Paper or Plastic?
coolconfidentme 09:36 AM 07-23-2013
This week I decided to give paper plates a try in lieu of my plastic toddler plates. I may cost a little more over all, but I'm banking on the time savings I will get. I'm McLovin it so far.
What do you use???
What do you use???
Willow 09:46 AM 07-23-2013
I used to use plastic but recently switched to paper. I don't think I'll ever go back 
Blackcat31 09:55 AM 07-23-2013
I use paper everything. Plate, cups, bowls etc. I also recycle 99.5% of everything we use. I know not all communities allow you to recycle paper products that have had food on them, but I just rinse them and toss into the paper recycle bin and that's that.
I also spend only about $25 per year on garbage because of the fact that we recycle so much.
I love the use and toss aspect of using paper products
I also spend only about $25 per year on garbage because of the fact that we recycle so much.
I love the use and toss aspect of using paper products
youretooloud 10:25 AM 07-23-2013
Paper.
The plastic was taking up so much space in our dishwasher that I was barely fitting a day's worth in there and running the washer every single day.
The plastic was taking up so much space in our dishwasher that I was barely fitting a day's worth in there and running the washer every single day.
daycarediva 10:56 AM 07-23-2013
I always use plastic, but decided on paper for summer. We eat outside and it's soooo much easier to toss it than to deal with food scraping and carrying it all back in the house.
MrsSteinel'sHouse 11:08 AM 07-23-2013
We use plastic most of the time. Every once in a while for snack I will use paper if I know I need to be out of here. We do not have recycling readily available. I can't take tossing that much! I also do not use paper towels. I do not have a dishwasher either. Handwash, but how long does it really take to wash 6 plates! If they had disposable cookware maybe!! LOL.
countrymom 11:29 AM 07-23-2013
we use plastic here. the problem with paper here is that they pick up every other week. By week 1 my bin is full (I rent mine because its a big can) so by week 2 I have no other place to put it.
melilley 11:32 AM 07-23-2013
I use both for lunch depending on what we are eating. For snack I always use paper, but I cut the plates in half.
Meeko 02:31 PM 07-23-2013
Disposable everything! Plates/bowls/cups/silverware.
Tax deductible.
Recycles.
Not running the dishwasher all day. (We are a family of 5 with 16 daycare kids)
Saves a ton of time.
Most important......saves my sanity.
Tax deductible.
Recycles.
Not running the dishwasher all day. (We are a family of 5 with 16 daycare kids)
Saves a ton of time.
Most important......saves my sanity.
crazydaycarelady 02:39 PM 07-23-2013
I use plastic thinking I am saving money, but I am running my dishwasher daily full of dc stuff!
Thinking I might switch to paper now!
Thinking I might switch to paper now!
LK5kids 02:49 PM 07-23-2013
Plastic but years ago I used paper for 10 years!
LaLa1923 06:01 PM 07-23-2013
Right now I'm using plastic but I think I would like to switch to paper. I run my dishwasher at least once a day but we don't pay for water.
LoraJenkins 06:23 PM 07-23-2013
I use plastic and always have. We don't even use paper towels. It's funny because my Mother visited last Friday and during lunch she asked where the "good" china was (meaning paper plates), and was shocked that I don't use them with all the daycare kids & family members I feed every day. LOL
Familycare71 07:25 PM 07-23-2013
Originally Posted by crazydaycarelady:
I use plastic thinking I am saving money, but I am running my dishwasher daily full of dc stuff!
Thinking I might switch to paper now!
Me too!!! I use plastic thinking I am saving money, but I am running my dishwasher daily full of dc stuff!
Thinking I might switch to paper now!
MissAnn 04:00 AM 07-24-2013
Do you guys just use the thin paper plates? What size plastic cups?
MrsSteinel'sHouse 04:04 AM 07-24-2013
I think all the dishwasher comments are funny! When we had a dishwasher I ran it at least twice a day! I would do breakfast lunch, and then dinner. You wash dishes more than once a day if you wash by hand. I wash dishes about 5 times a day!
Blackcat31 07:59 AM 07-24-2013
Originally Posted by MissAnn:
Do you guys just use the thin paper plates? What size plastic cups?
I use Dixie brand paper plates and cups. I buy them in bulk at Sam's Club.Do you guys just use the thin paper plates? What size plastic cups?
I get 276 8.5 inch plates for $13.98 and 450 8 oz cups for $8.86
Cradle2crayons 09:50 AM 07-24-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I use Dixie brand paper plates and cups. I buy them in bulk at Sam's Club.
I get 276 8.5 inch plates for $13.98 and 450 8 oz cups for $8.86
Same here!! Yes, I'm following youI use Dixie brand paper plates and cups. I buy them in bulk at Sam's Club.
I get 276 8.5 inch plates for $13.98 and 450 8 oz cups for $8.86
Blackcat31 09:55 AM 07-24-2013
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons:
Yes, I'm following you
It's all good. Yes, I'm following you
Cradle2crayons 09:57 AM 07-24-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
It's all good.
It's all good.
that's good because I'm not feeling fiercely redneck today hahaRight before leaving the house yesterday to go pick up my two kids new baby snakes, I whacked my elbow really hard on a door frame and busted up my funny bone. I was up all night every hour in pain last night and I'm soooooo tired.
Blackcat31 09:59 AM 07-24-2013
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons:
that's good because I'm not feeling fiercely redneck today haha
Right before leaving the house yesterday to go pick up my two kids new baby snakes, I whacked my elbow really hard on a door frame and busted up my funny bone. I was up all night every hour in pain last night and I'm soooooo tired.
snakes?? that's good because I'm not feeling fiercely redneck today hahaRight before leaving the house yesterday to go pick up my two kids new baby snakes, I whacked my elbow really hard on a door frame and busted up my funny bone. I was up all night every hour in pain last night and I'm soooooo tired.
nope. nahuh, nada, NO way.
Cradle2crayons 10:07 AM 07-24-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
snakes?? nope. nahuh, nada, NO way.
Lol yes. Before we moved here we had to give up their snakes.snakes??
nope. nahuh, nada, NO way.Now, they each got their own baby ball python.
jenn 02:04 PM 07-24-2013
Paper plates, paper bowls, paper towels. I do use plastic cups. Each kid has their own cup that they use everyday. I only use plastic plates/bowls if I forget to buy paper or run out.
JoseyJo 04:23 PM 07-24-2013
Originally Posted by MrsSteinel'sHouse:
I think all the dishwasher comments are funny! When we had a dishwasher I ran it at least twice a day! I would do breakfast lunch, and then dinner. You wash dishes more than once a day if you wash by hand. I wash dishes about 5 times a day!
I was thinking that too- we use "real" everything, plastic plates and cups, real silverware, and cloth washcloths/ hand towels. We do 3 loads of dishes in the dishwasher a day, sometimes 4, between daycare and our own dishes. Plus we do around 2 loads of laundry total too!I think all the dishwasher comments are funny! When we had a dishwasher I ran it at least twice a day! I would do breakfast lunch, and then dinner. You wash dishes more than once a day if you wash by hand. I wash dishes about 5 times a day!
wonderfullisa 07:54 AM 07-27-2013
My soul hurts for all of the paper plate usage. lol. Ok, that might be a stretch.
But really, in our house, we only use real plates. I have a container of foam plates my mother gave me to help out when I had my youngest child (she'll be 3 next month). We finally opened it this spring to use for painting.
Then again, my house uses family cloth, reusable feminine products, etc. I'm quite proud of my homemade liners.
But really, in our house, we only use real plates. I have a container of foam plates my mother gave me to help out when I had my youngest child (she'll be 3 next month). We finally opened it this spring to use for painting.
Then again, my house uses family cloth, reusable feminine products, etc. I'm quite proud of my homemade liners.
Margarete 10:13 AM 07-27-2013
I used to use plastic, but really didn't like how it just didn't wash or dry well in the dishwasher, so I hand washed all the plastic dishes, then they would take forever to dry, taking up so much room, before they could be stacked again and put away.
Now I use corelle dishes for just about everything, they are so much easier to clean (in the dishwasher and hand washing), light, stack small. They are break resistant (not proof, but started using them 1.5 years ago with 1.5-3 year olds and they haven't broken any, I have a few over the years on my own corelle, but it's rare, they usually handle counter height drops fine). The ones I use most for the kids are the 8.5" divided plates, but I also sometimes use the small bowls or plates for snacks.
Their open stock ones are on sale right now on their web site shopworldkitchen. I'm not associated with corelle, just a huge fan.
Now I use corelle dishes for just about everything, they are so much easier to clean (in the dishwasher and hand washing), light, stack small. They are break resistant (not proof, but started using them 1.5 years ago with 1.5-3 year olds and they haven't broken any, I have a few over the years on my own corelle, but it's rare, they usually handle counter height drops fine). The ones I use most for the kids are the 8.5" divided plates, but I also sometimes use the small bowls or plates for snacks.
Their open stock ones are on sale right now on their web site shopworldkitchen. I'm not associated with corelle, just a huge fan.
EntropyControlSpecialist 08:53 PM 07-27-2013
Originally Posted by Lisa's Little Lambs:
My soul hurts for all of the paper plate usage. lol. Ok, that might be a stretch.
But really, in our house, we only use real plates. I have a container of foam plates my mother gave me to help out when I had my youngest child (she'll be 3 next month). We finally opened it this spring to use for painting.
Then again, my house uses family cloth, reusable feminine products, etc. I'm quite proud of my homemade liners.
My soul hurts for all of the paper plate usage. lol. Ok, that might be a stretch.
But really, in our house, we only use real plates. I have a container of foam plates my mother gave me to help out when I had my youngest child (she'll be 3 next month). We finally opened it this spring to use for painting.
Then again, my house uses family cloth, reusable feminine products, etc. I'm quite proud of my homemade liners.
You are exactly like me, right down to the family cloth, reusable feminine products, etc.I WILL use paper plates, however, for parties here only because there aren't enough "real" plates. I bought a couple of packs for my meet the baby party coming up and cringed. It will all be ok ... that's what I tell myself.
I run the dishwasher twice daily, which isn't bad considering how many people are here. To be fair, though, I don't have all of the children here for breakfast time (some arrive right after).