![And many of them they made [OC]](/uploads/original/591/591587.jpg)
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guest_
· 3 years ago
· FIRST
It isn’t so much the long term durability- it’s more the short term durability and resilience, coupled with the ease of manufacture and the cost. Prior to the 1950’s people tended to have to hold on to things and care for them longer. Advances and other post war factors along with progression of the industrial revolution and economy of scale led to “disposable convenience” achievable to the masses. But it isn’t so much the manufacture of plastic disposables that is the problem- it’s the consumption.
guest_
· 3 years ago
Look no further than reaction to “plastic bag bans” or “straw bans.” People do not want to give up the convenience and cheapness of disposable plastics. It’s hard to find a single facet of modern life where plastics aren’t in use. It’s also very easy to find “disposable” things from water bottles and plastic cups all the way up to furniture and even buildings, built cheaper and designed to have a service life of decades vs. centuries or more.
guest_
· 3 years ago
Funny enough, many modern “miracles” are simply the result of companies having novel substances or even waste and finding a consumer use for it which consumers latched on to. Automotive fuel began its life as the byproduct of lamp oil manufacture. It used to be dumped out in the streets down sewer drains until the idea hit to use it as fuel for engines- which of course was refined over time but often the chemical remains of one petroleum or chemical process are used to feed another!
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guest_
· 3 years ago
So really, when polymers first started to become feasible on the mass market, companies simply looked for ways to use them to improve existing products or lower costs. Plastic (non disposable) dish and drinkware is cheaper to make more consistently and doesn’t break or have many of the restrictions of glass, ceramics, and other materials. People liked that.
guest_
· 3 years ago
That evolution went further with paper napkins and towels, no more washing and folding, no worrying about stains and such- use them and dispose of them. Disposable flat ware and place settings and place mats, food already mostly prepared that you heat- usually in a disposable container that the food itself comes right in or throw some foil on a cooking sheet. Less mess, less work.
guest_
· 3 years ago
And of course, disposable drink ware just made sense in that vein. No worries about guests ruining dishes. No need to buy and keep enough drinkware for parties or entertaining. Just buy a package of cups when you plan to have a party or BBQ or whatever. You don’t have to wash them after, if people lose them or break them or use them as ash trays or take them- no worries.
guest_
· 3 years ago
When the event is over you just grab a trash bag and throw out the plates and forks and cups and even the decorations. That’s what WE asked for, what WE continue to ask for. Cheap, easy, minimal thought or care or effort.
