What did the table setting look like in 1776?
Reusable, Washable, and Refillable!
Pewter, earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain were the options in the eighteenth century. Not a disposable dish in sight nor, I would venture to say, even in anyone's imagination.
With the 4th of July approaching, many of us are planning barbecues, picnics, and parties to celebrate the occasion. And of course one of our favorite ways to celebrate is by sharing a meal. And when it comes to meal times, zero waste principles are key to helping us make the most of our limited resources.
Planning your event, whether big or small, is a great time to think about the principles of zero waste and Party Like It's 1776!
Okay, there are plenty of things from the 18th century that we can leave well behind, but let's focus on reuse!
Our stuff takes work to make.
Since things like plates, pots, and food storage containers were not mass-produced, it was important to maintain them and keep them in use for as long as possible. In the colonies, many people had a limited amount of dishware and instead shared plates, bowls, and cups at meal times, so it was all the more important to care for these items. Native Americans spent (and still spend) time and effort on baskets, pottery, and carved horns for utensils. Ever thought about trying to fire or carve your own bowl? Consider the work involved in gathering the natural materials, processing them, and shaping them into something new. Can you imagine just using it once and throwing it away?
Despite our modern access to new, affordable designs, I encourage you to take this historical lesson on the value of materials, labor, and keeping items in circulation. Even today's single-use items involve someone's work and materials that have been taken from the earth.
Your new party theme: Reuse Like It's 1776!
In today's consumerist market, there is a decorative paper plate and a disposable napkin for every occasion (unfortunately). Instead of buying something cheap that will be thrown away after one use, try out a real-life example of the "Party Like It's 1776" theme: Take and share dishware that's meant to be reused!
Have dishes in your cabinet? Grab a box and put some plates and cups in there to take to that picnic! Not enough to go around? Tell somebody else to bring some of their dishes, too!
Togetherness is what it's really about.
At the end of the day, a get-together isn't about the plates you're eating off of, it's about sharing the moment with the people around you. Taking turns washing the dishes can even be part of the occasion!
It may seem like a modern convention, but zero waste principles have always existed. When we save, fix, share, and borrow, it brings us together and grows our sense of community-- bringing us a little bit closer to E Pluribus Unum.
Share and reuse, just like the olden days.
Check out some of these resources for more info about dishware and life in 18th-century America:
Encyclopedia Britannica - What Was Life Like in America in 1776?
NMSC Archeology & Museum Blog - Party like it’s 1776: A Look at Eighteenth-Century Ceramics
CSPC - Daily diet In the Revolutionary Period
The Georgetowner - The Utensils: From Eating to Dining
Andy Ward's Ancient Pottery - From Earth to Table: The Art of Turning Nature into Functional Pottery
Native American Fiber Program - Basket Weaving Connects Us to the Past, Present, and Future
The featured photo is of an old plate our CEO Teresa found in the R20W mobile office, that was bought at a second-hand place in Pittsburgh years ago. It's cleaned up and ready for another year of celebrating!
