Some paper plates can be recycled. Rather than throw them away after one use, consider more eco-friendly choices.
First, they're coated in plastic. This coating offers a smooth surface and prevents the paper plate from taking in liquids. Usually, the coating can't be separated from the paper in a recycling facility, so these paper plates can't be recycled like regular paper. Second, they're polluted with food waste. Once they've been used, paper plates become covered in food waste. This adds pollutants to the recycling process.
If you're trying to reduce your impact on the environment, then looking at ways to reuse any paper plates you do have is a good option. If you bought heavy-duty paper plates and they're only a little dirty after use-if you served dry food on them, for example—you can clean them and use them again.
The most obvious alternative to paper plates is reusable plates. Even though you have to wash them with water, the environmental impact of a reusable plate will still be lower. If you're looking for a semi-disposable (用数次的) plate, then you can find plates made from natural materials like bamboo. These plates can be used and washed or cleaned a few times.
A. The short answer is yes and no.
B. However, the vast majority usually can't
C. At the end of their life, they will break down naturally
D. PLA is a bioplastic that's used to coat some paper plates.
E. So most cities won't accept used paper plates for recycling.
F. There are (two main reasons why the majority of paper plates can't be recycled G. If you have clean paper plates, they can be used for a wide range of other projects.
