I try not to use disposable plates and utensils too often, but find that there are occasions that call for them. For instance, when I'm taking lunch out to a group of people somewhere, I don't want to pack along my heavy dishes and forks. I came across Preserve tableware the other day at my local organic food store. These recycled plastic plates, tumblers and utensils are dishwasher safe (at low heat), so you can reuse them without a lot of fuss. The green cutlery caught my eye as I was going down the store aisle, but the purple and red are also eye-catching. They're actually quite sturdy -- much sturdier than standard plastic tableware -- so I can throw them in the dishwasher with the rest of my stuff. And the spoons won't snap in two when I use them to scoop ice cream.