You WASH these?

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A few days ago while at work, a coworker complained that she had forgotten to bring a fork and knife from home to eat her leftovers with at lunchtime.

"Oh, I have a set you can borrow!" I said, pulling out a mismatching plastic pair. I told her I had just washed them yesterday so they're fine to use. What happened next was incredible. She simply looked at me, incredulously, and said, "You wash these?" They're plastic. Why don't you throw them out?" Profanities went off in my head like fireworks.

Just because something is plastic doesn't mean it can't be washed, reused, upcycled, recycled, etc. Her first thought was to toss it in a garbage bin with no regard- an attitude that I think can only be a result of being so disconnected from what actually happens on the journey from your garbage bin to a landfill. I buy durable goods whenever I can- we don't use paper towels, napkins, or disposable plastic/paper plates, cups, or silverware in my apartment. Any plasticware we do have is washed and reused! I always used to smirk at my grandmother when she would do this, but now I understand the value of it. My husband doesn't quite get it, but we're getting there. I'm not perfect, but at least we put in an effort. I was incredibly surprised the way my coworker looked at me, as if she had never considered saving plasticware. Sure after awhile the integrity of the spoon/fork/knife is compromised (the same way some people say you shouldn't reuse plastic water bottles too often- bacterial residue), but that doesn't mean you can't get full use out of them.

Has anyone ever done a double take at your cost-cutting/eco-friendly measures? I have many more I can think of, but I'd like to hear what other people have to say as well...

xoxo Becca