British mother slams ‘lazy’ people who adopted American habit of using paper plates – but people who don’t bother to wash tell her to stop ‘being judgemental’

A British woman sparked debate after claiming people who use paper plates were “lazy” and called the practice “American”.

The anonymous woman took to UK parenting forum Mumsnet to say that washing dishes is “not that difficult or time consuming”.

Many agreed that, overall, it was okay to use paper plates rather than ceramic plates to accommodate a large crowd, but not for everyday use.

However, one user even admits to using them out of sheer laziness, and others are calling for less judgment.

This Brit was amazed that so many Americans online chose to use paper plates rather than ceramic plates in their daily lives.

The message read: “I keep seeing reels and videos of people, mostly (if not all) Americans, serving dinner on Styrofoam or paper plates.

‘AIBU (Am I unreasonable) to think this is too lazy/time saving/convenience? In most videos, these people have decent kitchens so can probably house a dishwasher.

“It’s not that difficult or time consuming to stack the plates. Disposable tableware for everyday meals seems to be the height of laziness.

While many came to her defense, others argued that she was too quick to judge and that paper plates existed for one-time use and therefore people should be encouraged to use them.

One user replied: “Absolutely – in my opinion that’s what they’re for. Parties, events. Do not serve pizza on Monday evening.

Another added: “We do this for buffet type things like we do at Christmas (not Christmas dinner), but it’s not an everyday thing.

And another user explained that perhaps the reason she saw so many American creators using them was their prevalence across the Atlantic. “Go to an American supermarket and there will be a whole section devoted to disposable tableware. Very lazy, in my opinion – except for a large crowd.”

Many called the practice “American” and “lazy” and said it was “destroying the plant.”

Another reinforced this: “This is quite common in some US states. Especially in hotels. And none of them are recycled. I hate that’.

And another user explained that perhaps the reason she saw so many American creators using them was their prevalence across the Atlantic.

‘Go to an American supermarket and there will be a whole section devoted to disposable tableware. Very lazy, in my opinion, except for a big crowd.”

While one was more concerned about its environmental harm: “It’s wasteful and it will destroy our planet.”

Others were shocked by the way Americans serve food on paper plates.

And another Mumsnet user claimed it was so common in the US that you could ‘go to a perfectly reasonable cafe and you would still have your meal on a disposable plate with a plastic knife and fork’ .

One user openly approved of this practice: “I’m pretty lazy. Seems like a good idea to me,” and another confessed: “I use paper plates semi-regularly when I can’t be a dick with the dishes, it’s lazy – that’s the point “.

“Are you really wondering how this affects your life? I mean, if they’re lazy, so be it. What do you get from their laziness? asked another.

Another added: “We have family in America and when we stayed with them we were served food on paper plates.”

And one of them was quick to defend himself: “I take biodegradable ones and throw them in the composter. I don’t drive, I don’t take long-haul (or even short-haul) flights, I buy second-hand where I can, I’ve deliberately reduced my plastic consumption to about half of what I she was over the last year.

Mumsnet users were divided over the practice, with some approving of it and others denouncing its laziness.

“I’m pretty sure most of you who are ‘bad for the environment’ are doing more stupid things than me by using less than 20 paper plates a month.”

Another Mumsnet user expressed similar nonchalance: “It’s not that bad, the paper is grown in renewable forests and the trees help remove CO2 and generate oxygen.” So keeping the paper industry going means more new trees.

Another user confessed: “Wow. I’m a tiny minority here, but I still use paper plates! Not for a real dinner, but toast, crumpets, sandwiches, a slice of pizza, etc. I’ve been doing it for years. They go into the recycling bin. Saves washing dishes, saving hot water and washing up liquid.

But for one, it was a gripe that their “American in-laws hadn’t used washable dishes since about 1980.”

Despite their use by some people, single-use plastic plates, trays and cutlery could be banned in England.

The Environment Ministry warned last year that a new ban would also cover single-use plastic bowls, as well as certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers, as the government seeks to reduce the impact “devastating” plastic to the environment.

Department officials said England uses around 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery a year, of which only 10% are recycled.