What's worse for the environment, using paper plates or washing dishes?

[Joel]

paper plates are worse, they are sold word wide, like billions! water goes to underground rivers(i don't know how to spell it so i hope you under stand) then at the pond (this may sound gross so be ready) poop water is cleaned to go to your shower, sink, etc. and there are tons of ways to kill pollution (used for all the shipping etc.) like nuclear power plants etc.

 

[Captain Klepto]

The trees used for paper plates are farmed trees, I assume, not the result of deforestation. Or is that wrong?
Aside from the landfill issue, paper plates use a lot of electricity and petrochemicals in their production, packaging and shipping, also.

And washing dishes involves not only the water and detergent, but the energy to heat the water, and the petrochemicals to produce, package and ship the detergent.

Both options seem wasteful. Which is better?
And where can I find banana leaves? Hm?
Actually, paper that has been stained by food cannot be recycled.

 

[Red White and Ooze]

eat off banana leaves like they do in India, you just throw the banana leaf away after you are done, its biodegradable

 

[leemajors416]

there are paper plates that are made using things that are less harmful for the environment. there is also dish washing detergent that is less harmful as well. it just depends if it is bio degradable

 

[Darren]

Joel,
Sorry......What????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[Briana]

id say paper plates are worse. but it all depends on how often you use both of them.