Im brazilian living in Israel, i dont understand why israelis use plastic all the time, even at home they drink water using plastic cup, more than 40 every day in Just now house

25, you are an absolute moron.

It's easy to complain and blame chareidim... but NOBODY in this country cares. From cigarette butts to tossing garbage on the ground, very few people really care. It just happens to be that chareidim are the biggest per-household users. However, nobody in the country uses real dishes anymore. The charedim eat at home and have more kids, while everyone else regularly eats out and just uses plastic provided at the restaurants. It's probably the same per capita. The biggest problem is that nobody builds their houses with dishwashers - because there's no SPACE for a dishwasher! Tiny kitchens in every home and nobody is used to the idea, means that nobody is interested. The economy would be slower if everyone had to wash dishes every night - people can work, or at least struggle to get by. Dishwashers aren't even a "thing" over here. I have one, I use real on Shabbos, but who else does? There's got to be a startup who can figure out how to recycle these things.

I was disgusted still am at the flippant use of plastic I saw in Israel creates such an attitude of Baal Tashchit! He sums up the mentality well “the moment you finish eating you put everything in the trash including the tablecloth, and you just sit back and relax.” Breeds a lazy mentality caring for nothing or anybody else but his own self time!

The criminal is mainly the government. It is happily aided by orthodox Jews who do not like to pay more for biodegradable tableware. Shame!

This level of environmental ignorance is to be expected from the countries surrounding Israel, but is appalling from the Nation of Innovation , and for what ? To keep the ultra religious support for the government ? Israel fights daily to defend its existence in its historic and ideological home land. But what about Israel's duty to the future, not just of Israel, but of the planet ? It is not enough to sit still and say Hashem will sort it. Educate.Recycle.

Yes, as a son of an orthodox rabbi, I know that plastic is used and never reused. I decided to stop to go to family reunions if plasticware was used. It won't help much but I can't stand the waste and pollution.

I just hate when people try to make numbers but don't know what they are talking about. If that plastic island is 1.6 million square meters it fits nicely into Paris. You might be talking of square KILOmeters - that would fit your comparison much better.

As Jews, we are taught to care for the world, which to me means to reduce pollution of it. With Israel's great minds and tech, they should use it to come up with alternative disposables that are edible by land, air, and sea animals.

Despicable. Knowing water is a scarce commodity, people should learn to wash dishes using minimal water. Look at the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean don’t ruin it

Is this actually true? Anyone living in Israel confirm or deny this story?

We are complaining about Israel using disposable tableware and the countries around them suffocate the women with archaic laws? I wonder how much pollution those huge artillery create trying to kill each other...this is a propaganda piece. One more slam on Israel

KIm surprised Israelis are so little concerned about disposable tableware : do they want to live among trash?

Considering the amount of water used during the production of plastic cutlery and dishes and the progress in technology that allows for less water used per cycle in a dishwasher, your argument is flawed. I got mad when I read about the girl that thinks it’s disgusting to eat from plates that have been used before. I’m appalled by the ignorance portrayed in this article and I hope that there will be a mentality change somewhere down the road.

If I was working for the government, I would stop completely importing any plastic items. So, I blame the government, and the people who use plastic.

Ultra-orthodox families 15 kids saving dishwashing 100+ plates for Shabbat, plastic utensils, all cooked in aluminum dishes straight to the garbage what can go wrong? Oneg Shabbat!

Are any of these products recyclable? Plastic cups, tableware, etcetera, why aren't we recycling them in the orange bins? If they're recyclable, then there should be a massive education initiative about that. If they're not recyclable, why not? Aren't there ways to recycle them? And either way, these items should absolutely be taxed. Using them has a cost for society, so those who create that cost should pay for it.

Blame the Hareidim. Ok, problem solved. Very easy. On to the next problem.

Surely in Israel there's got to be some people to come up with an innovative eco disposable tableware line!!

What are the comparable costs of the whole population running dishwashers regularly (electricity as well as water use)? Who has done the math?

The level of environmental awareness in Israel is pathetically absymal. The use of disposable plastic borders on the environmentally criminal. The halacha clearly forbids wasting of resources, and the ignorance of Haredi Jews is particularly inexcusable. As for them and the secular, self interest clearly trumps the interest of God, The State, and Humanity. Shame !

How deeply saddening that a country that excels in so many forward-thinking and practical approaches to big problems is failing so clearly in this instance! Especially considering how small the country is and how densely populated it is. We need proper leadership from the MoEP here!

Backwards af. It's so embarrassing. We're meant to be a light to the nations, not a garbage dump. All the halachot over waste, and in our precious Eretz Yisrael.

We may consume more disposable plastic tableware, however when we calculate water conservation due to less washing with water the normal tableware, the benefit appears to be a positive trade-off here in Israel where water is a precious commodity. The Americans and Europeans have an abundance of water supply and therefore, do not consider this factor.

We don't even recycle large plastic bottles. Many people still throw their recycling in the trash. The last thing we need is an increase in plastic ware. EDUCATE THE PEOPLE TO RECYCLE BETTER.

Isn't it fascinating to think? the entirety of those stores shelves end up in the trash. Literally the entire store is basically selling something that'll be thrown away pretty much right away. The municipalities are the ones who have to deal with trash removal and elimination and these are the literal springs of trash. The municipalities need to resist these businesses most of all.