Paper vs. plastic--Kids' dishes

[domestic goddess]

This may not be the right place to post this, but I could think of several places this belongs so I finally just closed my eyes and picked one. Move it if that seems best.
I guess most of you know that I have two granddaughters.That means that we often have most of the neighborhood kids here, playing. And dsil's niece is often here, with her children and her friends. Of course, they're adults so this doesn't apply so much to them, but thought I'd add them since I'm looking for workable solutions. Anyway, we often serve snacks when the kids are here, because some of them are watched (loosely) by older siblings while the parents are at work, and the older sibs often don't seem to think about giving them a mid afternoon snack or an after school snack. Now, I realize that not everyone snacks in the late afternoon, but our girls do, and I don't intend to deliberately exclude anyone. Snack is usually fruit and cheese, sometimes a cookie (if I've baked), veggies, stuff like that.
Here's where it gets a bit sticky: dishes. My dd often buys paper plates, cups and plastic flatware, which kind of dirves me nuts. I'm the only one who will retrieve the plasticware, wash it and put it in the caddy for re-use. To me, throwing it out once used is just wasteful. I can understand that she doesn't want to send dinner china outside to get broken, but what about using plastic dishes for the kids? What are the environmental and economic pros and cons here? What would be other acceptable alternatives?Maybe those metal camping dishes? We don't really use a ton of dishes, but it really bugs me to throw so much away. Or should I just wash and re-use as much stuff as I can save and not worry about the rest? It seems like now, while the picnic stuff is on sale in the stores might be the time to get a good price on some things. And with school starting soon, and kids coming over many days, I want to be prepared, When the kids come over, they sometimes don't eat lunch because they didn't like it, or whatever, and are really hungry. Of course, inside, it is less of a problem to use our dinner dishes.
So, how have you solved the snack dish dilemma?

[Mrs-M]

I love plastic dishes! Plastic dishes IMO rank right up there with plastic pants! Can't cloth diaper without the pants, and can't raise kids without plastic dishes! Hahahahaha!!! At least I was never interested in testing either.

Sure, there have been occasions where paper and plastic-disposable cutlery seemed like the "better way to go", and we did, but for ordinary day-to-day use/kid-friendliness/safety, you just can't beat plastic, and reusable plastic-wear is so economical to buy.

As far as snack-foods/lunches go, hello Rubbermaid and Tupperware! I LOVE my Rubbermaid and Tupperware collection! I've never actually sat down and figured out how quickly a few pieces of Rubbermaid/Tupperware pay for themselves, but my guess is after the very first time one uses them.

I know we sometimes take exception to plastic, but when it comes to some things, plastic, simply cannot be beat.

[Rosemary]

We use plastic for kids' dishes. I keep the kid-ware in a drawer where all kids can safely reach it, as opposed to my cabinets which are too high.

I think the Ikea kid plates are fabulous - large enough for lunch or a big snack, polypropylene (one of the plastics that is considered safe for food), and they double as a cutting board when the snack is fruit. They fit just about anywhere in my dishwasher. I think they come in a 6-pack for $2. Our church actually bought a huge pile of these to use for snacks; previously they were using paper plates. It has reduced garbage tremendously.

[domestic goddess]

Thanks, guys. I was hard pressed to come up with an economical alternative to plastic, and wondered if I had just missed something. Can't beat it for safety, which is a prime consideration, especially outside in the summer. Rosemary, we have some plates from IKEA, which may be what you have in mind. Of course, several of them have gotten lost, so there is another reason why I don't want to have a huge amount of money invested in this stuff. Flatware isn't as much as consideration, since snacks are usually finger food, though I will sometimes serve soup in the winter, though that can be sipped from a mug. Guess I'll be heading out to some big box stores to stock up for the fall and winter soon!

[Mrs-M]

Indeed, Domestic Goddess, I, too, am (and was) hard-pressed to come up with alternatives to plastic (certain things), and no, you didn't miss anything. I swear by plastic (for a handful of things), and I make no apologies for such. :)

[Amaranth]

Enamelware is also very good. carbon steel coated with porcelain enamel and sealed with a stainless steel rim
http://kolorfulkitchen.com/Golden-Rabbit-Enamelware-Golden-Rabbit-White-on-White/c104_105/p3611/Plate,-Sandwich/product_info.html

Enamelware is also good for car camping as you don't have to worry about it being affected by the fire.

For backpacking I'd recommend titanium cookware/dishes.

[domestic goddess]

Amaranth, that was my other alternative, though it is a bit pricey. Since I won't be backpacking, weight isn't an issue, but price is. It costs enough to feed these kids and their friends as it is!
So far, it looks like plastic leads the pack. I never really thought I'd hear myself saying that!

[Amaranth]

With the plastic you might also go somewhere that you can buy items individually. If you select something that comes in many different colors you can get one-two of each color. Then it's easier for the children to know which is theirs.

If any foot/bike races are run near you, see if they have extra sports bottles they didn't use for the race and if you can have some of the extras.

[lmerullo]

I have grandkids, and bought the ikea plates - actually, the whole ensemble - a few years ago. One added bonus is that portion size is controlled. I love these little plates! And I see Amaranth has already gotten to mention another bonus - color coding the kiddos.

Also, I harvest plasticware from take out, fast food, etc. and re-wash to use later. Then, if I don't need to / can't wash them, I have had at least one additional usage before tossing.

Lots of times when dining with a child, their drink is served in a plastic lidded cup. I always take these home for reuse. I either let the kids use them at my house or send them back to their parent's home.

[mara61]

if you do 6 ounce yogurt containers those can be reused as cups.

[Stella]

I like the ikea plates, but I'll be the rebel and say that I wish they were all one colour. I get tired of negotiating who gets what colour. As a result I ended up giving the IKEA plates to someone else and getting some matching melamine plates.

[creaker]

Indeed, Domestic Goddess, I, too, am (and was) hard-pressed to come up with alternatives to plastic (certain things), and no, you didn't miss anything. I swear by plastic (for a handful of things), and I make no apologies for such. :)

Plastics as disposables are questionable. Plastic as something unbreakable, durable and meant to be kept and used for long time is not such a bad thing.