ALL of that stuff ends up in landfills or, maybe worse, the oceans. https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/plastics-in-the-ocean/

I, personally, feel that this is more important than a few minutes of convenience for my ADHD.

While I agree with those concerned about the environment, I also agree with your take on this. I do the recycle thing, and it has added a whole other layer of chaos to my life and not just in the kitchen. I have on a few occasions done the paper plate route when I have salvaged them from events rather than see them thrown out and it was helpful at really busy times in my business. I have a wood insert that is usually out by morning, so I need paper to start my days fire and the plates worked well.

I have at times started packing up the majority of my dishes, cutlery, post, etc. and left myself with a basic set of everything times 2 (I live alone and do not entertain because… you guessed it… the mess!) My theory was the less I had the less mess could potentially be created. It worked. For awhile… and then in moments of stress or thinking I’d mastered the problem, I’d start unpacking more. In no time, chaos reigned again.

If nothing else, I can see others using the paper plats and wooden/bamboo, etc. stuff perhaps UNTIL they got a grip on their kitchens? Would that satisfy the question of recyclables?

Glad to see someone saying this. My boyfriend and I still use our dishes, but we at one point had a sink full for a year that we could never conquer which made us start using paper products to reduce the amount of dishes to tackle. Now our sink is mostly clear of dishes, and we don’t feel the burden anymore. My boyfriend has severe anxiety and adhd, so we’ve found this method best.

I thought exactly the same regarding the paper towels and disposable ware – not to encouraged at all.

You cannot recycle those paper plates. If you must get disposable plates- get compostable plates. Please check with your recycling center to see what you can and can’t recycle.

However, this environmental thinking is actually counterproductive in this case. The advice here is targeted toward the percentage of our population that have this disability. The negative reaction to this advice likely stems from this not being a visible disability.

Of the estimated 11% of our population that struggle with ADD, there are a smaller percent that struggle with clenliness and clutter. (I ask that you forgive my imprecise numbers here.) This can contribute to major health and social issues if you are not able to focus on the task of clenliness. Giving someone another set of items (rags, sponges, dishes) to track and perform maintenance on may seem trivial, but it can be a monumental effort for someone struggling to develop and grasp basic life skills.

Please set aside your horror at the thought of paper plates for a moment and consider the person who immediately forgets about something when it is out of sight. Consider this person may have only the attention to interact with the world of the kitchen to acquire something to eat.They are intimidated in doing so and are only driven to do so by hunger. They want the surfaces to be clean, the dishes to be washed, the pots and pans to be spotless. However, inability to focus on the task means that dirty dishes pile up, counters are grimey, stoves are crusted and pans sit idly after use without being scrubbed.

Soon, the whole thing becomes insurmountable. Every dish is dirty and they can only bring themselves to wash one or two when absolutely necessary. Sponges and rags are caked with grime and unusable in any practical way. They live in a terrible mess and they are frustrated with themselves.

This is not everyone. This is someone who’s unable to grasp this function easily. They are trying to do the right thing for the world by not using disposable cups, plates, and towels. By so doing, they are causing themselves a great personal injury.

For these people, disposable dishes and cutlery and paper towels are an assistive device. They are, to a lesser degree, like captions for the hearing impaired, braille for the blind, or prosthetics. Note that these other things also have environmental and economic impact to produce, but you would not deny their necessity. There should be no shame in using them as needed for each case.

Every effort should be made to minimize the need for such items. They are impractical, pricey, and have an environmental impact. They should assist and not replace practical and reusable items whenever possible.

It is not laziness or weakness to use these available tools. It is simply necesary. I encourage anyone who needs them to make use and do not listen to detractors. Do your best to choose items that will have a lower environmental impact, but do use them!

Recycle! Compost! Reduce waste! Be aware, but don’t be afraid to take what you truly need.

Well some of the tips are useful, I am actually appalled at the suggestion of “lots and lots” of paper towels, disposable dishes and cutlery. The environment is in dire straights. The last thing we need is to use more disposable stuff. Especially single use throw away plastics like the cutlery, which most are not recyclable. It may seem faster and easier.. but it is not going to be easier on our kids, when they don’t have a liveable planet left.
These suggestions make me even more fearful for our future.

I bought several identical pairs of socks so they are easier to put away. I put all my frequently used plates in a cupboard right above the dishwasher so it’s easy to unload. I let my teen boys choose from a selection of chores and reward with a small item such as ice cream. They help more willingly when they choose their own task. I shop as little as possible to avoid purchasing unnecessary items that become clutter.

I’m no angel in the tidiness stakes and these are a few things that work for me:
When you are preparing a meal fill the sink with hot water and detergent and wash things as you go, leave them to dry in a drainer. When the meal is served refill the sink and encourage family to wash their own dishes. Boy Scouts do that on camps and I think it’s a brilliant idea. I learned a lot when my kids were in scouts.
If you make the bed in the morning when you get dressed the room looks heaps better and is nicer to come home to. Use a doona/duvet but not a top sheet, then all you need to do is grab it at the bottom and shake. A tiny bit of straightening and the jobs done. Put your pjs under the pillow, give them a quick straighten and you’re done. 10 seconds max. Folding pjs is optional.

Why paper towels – “lots of them”? When did germlessness become the goal and does it make sense? How about good ol cloths? You can microwave them and sterilize them and use them over and over again. Germs, sometimes. Clean, yes.

I so appreciate your ideas for keeping life simple and streamlined, but we cannot bring up another generation who only know how to use, throw out and use more.
Linnea

1) Try to get all your laundry in the same color or close to it. This reduces worrying about colors bleeding or fading and also makes it easier to get dressed in the morning because everything is an outfit.

2) Wash new clothes before wearing. It gets out dyes and makes them more comfortable.

3) Wash loads of lighter material, such as shirts, socks and undies, first, and wash heavier materials such as pants last. The heavier materials take longer to dry and large loads of jeans may have to dry twice, so it gives you more time to do things while they’re drying.

4) Find the person who decided the same slacks worn by office workers were ideal for hot food, grease and oil, hard tile floors, and caustic chemicals, and make them pay. (Feel free to skip this step)