Thanks for addressing that depression is an actual disability. I struggle enough on a daily basis. Being surrounded by dirty dishes, and then not wanting to eat at all, because there are no clean dishes has absolutely happened to me before, and it just makes depression even worse. Anyway, while I do use disposables for the most part now, I walk and take public transport, instead of owning a car, so I’ve still got a smaller carbon footprint than most people.
Also young sahm use paper plates because if i washed all of the plates/bowl my 2 toddlers use, my water bill would go from 120 to 240 (i did it for 4 months) and as a family of 4 who only make 1800 a month, id rather spend $8 for 300 plates and try to repurpose them as kindle and use them for the filler in my garden beds than wash every dish and cause my bills to double
I am so glad that all of these reasons were brought up. My situation has a little to do with mental health but mostly to do with the fact that I am currently too poor to move out of this trailer where there are no working sinks. The only running water we have is the shower and toilet which makes doing dishes very difficult and time consuming when I would have to use plastic tubs set down inside the shower to do dishes with. Very difficult on my back to do dishes like this. Disposable plates are necessary for our situation right now. I’m getting a good job soon as a baby nurse so I can’t wait to make our living situation better. Something as simple as having no better option than disposable plates sets that back into perspective for me. Thank you for this video
As someone with depression and adhd dishes are my worst nightmare lol. I still use them as much as possible but paper plates are so convenient when I'm in a dark place. Cause i either get too depressed and cant make myself do the dishes or my adhd make me forget i even had dishes til they get gross lol. Thanks for talking about this!
As a mother of 3, I need them not to feel overwhelmed!!! We never know what people are going through or how difficult their struggles are, so yes. I use paper playes and I also will use any other thing that will make my life easier!!!!
I feel super guilty using disposable plates and utensils, but i just am not able bodied enough to manage the constant washing of the dishes, especially when eating is a chore to begin with. I had to suck it up and realize i wasnt gonna be able to do what non disabled people can do, so i have to make my own accommodations. And holy moly has it changed things for the better
I'm considering switching to compostable plates for a bit because I've been struggling. Sometimes dishes end up in the sink for weeks and I skip meals because of this, both from the lack of clean dishes and the stress of adding more dishes tonthe pile. Thank you for addressing this and making me feel less guilty for acknowledging my needs and taking care of myself ❤
So glad to see this from my favorite eco creator! Ive had to retrain my brain in situations where an invention seems nonsensical or "lazy" to think of who it might help and how.
Very true, my grandma had extreme arthritis in her hands (and feet) and she had us use the paper plates. We had regular plates. She refused to let anyone help with anything. I've asked her when i was younger.
Thank you! As someone with FND and depression, it's so hard to get the motivation to eat in the first place, then having to work as fast as possible to beat out the limited time I can stand makes meal times so difficult to even think about. I constantly have to take breaks because my legs will give out or hurt from standing even as short as 5 minutes. I try to use cheap plastic plates whenever possible because they are often reusable and dishwasher-safe, but there are times when I just need to eat and clean up as soon as possible for my own health and safety. So thank you so much for bringing this up. It's truly so important that everyone acknowledges the fact that all 8 billion people have different needs and abilities. Even if you don't have any disabilities or mental health issues, you will still have different experiences and needs than every other person on Earth.
i have a lot of issues and pain with my hands due to arthritis and eds and sometimes holding a heavy plate and carrying it to where i eat it very painful and at times even scary because i am so worried i will drop it and it'll break and im struggling to hold on from how much it hurts to do so, so its often very relieving to have a disposable plate where i don't worry about it breaking as much and if i drop it i can always just clean up the food. not to mention i have chronic depression and can't afford medication (plus the side effects on a lot of them make it worse for me to exist then not being medicated) so its way easier to use a disposable plate that makes eating easier
This is an idea I struggle with a lot. The dingy dark alley between "individual action" and "no ethical consumption under capitalism" is narrow and slimy
it is!! it can be hard to get into that mindset of my actions don't matter. But of course no individual can make every single action. Our small actions DO matter but me doing something for my health (i.e. my chronic illness meds in plastic) are not killing the planet. In fact my meds help me be a better environmentalist!
Thanks for addressing that depression is an actual disability. I struggle enough on a daily basis. Being surrounded by dirty dishes, and then not wanting to eat at all, because there are no clean dishes has absolutely happened to me before, and it just makes depression even worse. Anyway, while I do use disposables for the most part now, I walk and take public transport, instead of owning a car, so I’ve still got a smaller carbon footprint than most people.
of course!! I still struggle to see my own disabilities as disabilities due to society. DO what you can!
Its all about doing your best, not being perfect
precisely!!
Thank you for saying this! Everybody always forgets disabled people exist when it comes to things like this
YES!! And disabled people have a place in the eco movement!
Also young sahm use paper plates because if i washed all of the plates/bowl my 2 toddlers use, my water bill would go from 120 to 240 (i did it for 4 months) and as a family of 4 who only make 1800 a month, id rather spend $8 for 300 plates and try to repurpose them as kindle and use them for the filler in my garden beds than wash every dish and cause my bills to double
makes total sense! This is also why I talk about zero waste on a budget and free ways to live zero waste :)
I am so glad that all of these reasons were brought up. My situation has a little to do with mental health but mostly to do with the fact that I am currently too poor to move out of this trailer where there are no working sinks. The only running water we have is the shower and toilet which makes doing dishes very difficult and time consuming when I would have to use plastic tubs set down inside the shower to do dishes with. Very difficult on my back to do dishes like this. Disposable plates are necessary for our situation right now. I’m getting a good job soon as a baby nurse so I can’t wait to make our living situation better. Something as simple as having no better option than disposable plates sets that back into perspective for me. Thank you for this video
thank you for sharing!
Thanks for bringing this up to make everyone aware 😘❤️
of course!
As someone with depression and adhd dishes are my worst nightmare lol. I still use them as much as possible but paper plates are so convenient when I'm in a dark place. Cause i either get too depressed and cant make myself do the dishes or my adhd make me forget i even had dishes til they get gross lol. Thanks for talking about this!
thank you for sharing!
As a mother of 3, I need them not to feel overwhelmed!!! We never know what people are going through or how difficult their struggles are, so yes. I use paper playes and I also will use any other thing that will make my life easier!!!!
i can only imagine!
I feel super guilty using disposable plates and utensils, but i just am not able bodied enough to manage the constant washing of the dishes, especially when eating is a chore to begin with. I had to suck it up and realize i wasnt gonna be able to do what non disabled people can do, so i have to make my own accommodations. And holy moly has it changed things for the better
thank you for sharing! accommodations are LIFE SAVING!
I'm considering switching to compostable plates for a bit because I've been struggling. Sometimes dishes end up in the sink for weeks and I skip meals because of this, both from the lack of clean dishes and the stress of adding more dishes tonthe pile. Thank you for addressing this and making me feel less guilty for acknowledging my needs and taking care of myself ❤
of course! I highly recommend brands like Repurpose since they are eco-friendly yet disposable :)
@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist thanks!
@@KFoxtheGreat hope you enjoy them!
Love this..... I mean I hate paper plates, but I see the value in them. What I love is that you see the shades of grey.
yes!! those who CAN avoid them SHOULD! But they have their place. Thank you!
So glad to see this from my favorite eco creator! Ive had to retrain my brain in situations where an invention seems nonsensical or "lazy" to think of who it might help and how.
as a disabled girlie I always throw in eco ableism where I can!
we've all been there! it's important to reframe our thinking! good for you for putting in that work!
Very true, my grandma had extreme arthritis in her hands (and feet) and she had us use the paper plates. We had regular plates. She refused to let anyone help with anything. I've asked her when i was younger.
it can really help with independence!
Thank you! As someone with FND and depression, it's so hard to get the motivation to eat in the first place, then having to work as fast as possible to beat out the limited time I can stand makes meal times so difficult to even think about. I constantly have to take breaks because my legs will give out or hurt from standing even as short as 5 minutes.
I try to use cheap plastic plates whenever possible because they are often reusable and dishwasher-safe, but there are times when I just need to eat and clean up as soon as possible for my own health and safety.
So thank you so much for bringing this up. It's truly so important that everyone acknowledges the fact that all 8 billion people have different needs and abilities. Even if you don't have any disabilities or mental health issues, you will still have different experiences and needs than every other person on Earth.
do what you gotta do! YES!! everyone is different and zero waste isn't black and white!
i have a lot of issues and pain with my hands due to arthritis and eds and sometimes holding a heavy plate and carrying it to where i eat it very painful and at times even scary because i am so worried i will drop it and it'll break and im struggling to hold on from how much it hurts to do so, so its often very relieving to have a disposable plate where i don't worry about it breaking as much and if i drop it i can always just clean up the food. not to mention i have chronic depression and can't afford medication (plus the side effects on a lot of them make it worse for me to exist then not being medicated) so its way easier to use a disposable plate that makes eating easier
thank you for sharing your story!
I just bought a bunch of disposables because when my chronic illness flares up my finger joints really hurt when I wash dishes!
totally get that!
I have chronic depression and metal rods in my back so dishes suck
i can only imagine!
This is an idea I struggle with a lot. The dingy dark alley between "individual action" and "no ethical consumption under capitalism" is narrow and slimy
it is!! it can be hard to get into that mindset of my actions don't matter. But of course no individual can make every single action. Our small actions DO matter but me doing something for my health (i.e. my chronic illness meds in plastic) are not killing the planet. In fact my meds help me be a better environmentalist!
There are paper plates made from non toxic and more sustainable materials out there as well!
yes true! you don't have to opt for plastic, you can use paper!
I use bamboo paper plates on days I'm unable to use proper dishes
nice!
I use paper plates alot because 1 wd got 2 bags given to us and half the time ibowuld rather shoot nyself than clean the dishes
using what you have in stock is important too!
I’m a vegetarian who cares a lot about my waste and have paper plates, I will not eat healthy meals without them.
gotta do what you gotta do!
I just use paper plates so that way I dont have to do the dishes that often 😂
fair
For us, it's just because we can't afford to buy enough plates for the whole househol, haha😅
check thrift stores! the cost difference is astounding how much money you can save: ua-cam.com/video/xrOB0zv6zuI/v-deo.html
I throw all my garbage directly into the ocean
i highly doubt that but thanks for helping boost this video ;)