7PEAT, RE & Kitchen Angels Team Up to Green our Dishware
by Mark Mendelson
A UUCV collaborative effort is underway to make reusable dishware second nature, instead of disposable paper/plastic goods, at our on-site and off-site church events. For all-church potlucks, and any other events, you’re always encouraged to bring your own place setting (dish/es, utensils, cup and napkin), however we wanted to have on hand a set to use for the smaller gatherings, like RE events at parks or pools.
The RE Committee recently purchased a 30-person set in durable, midnight blue plastic, conveniently kept in a great tote bag. This new set, together with the plastic dishes RE already had on hand, means we have service for 60. There are also plastic glasses.
Because there is not room to keep this dishware in the kitchen, a plastic bin containing all event dishware will be available in the storage room across from the Green Room. Chinaware and cloth napkins, also available to all, will be kept in a bin or bins next to the plastic-ware as well. Metal silverware and serving utensils will still be stored in the kitchen drawers.
Guidelines for using the dishes:
• Use the reservation sheet on the plastic bin so groups wanting to use dishware can be sure it will be available and know who has it at the moment if it’s in use. All will also know who needs it next and when they need to make sure it’s back, clean and ready for use.
• Clean and return borrowed dishware, glasses, silverware, and utensils to the appropriate storage spot. It is the responsibility solely of the committee or group that checked them out.
• While the church kitchen may be used to wash dishes for on-site events (but not on Sunday mornings please) they should never be left in the kitchen for our Kitchen Angels to deal with (not even in the drying racks)!
A subset of dishes and silverware will remain in the kitchen for easy access on Sunday mornings, or for the occasional meeting that occurs at church. Please return all items to the location from which they were taken, clean and ready for use.
We hope you enjoy using this new resource, and thank you for helping us thrive as a Green Sanctuary, incorporating sustainability in all church activities!

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