Using a Dishwasher is Better for the Planet Than Hand Washing
Using an electric dishwasher is an eco-friendly way to wash your dishes. While many people think that hand washing dishes saves energy and water, the opposite is true.
Research from The University of Michigan that was published in the journal Environmental Research Communications found that washing dishes in the sink – using multiple methods – was less environmental than using an automatic dishwasher.
Using a dishwasher uses less hot water and energy than washing by hand, reported Popular Science, cleans the dishes better, and kills more bacteria because it uses very hot water. So, skip the drudge of doing dishes by hand and help yourself and the Earth at the same time.
About the Research
While the study was done in a partnership with the Whirlpool Corporation, the energy efficiency of newer dishwashers (since 1994) is well known.
“This is the first comprehensive life cycle assessment of manual washing and machine washing, and it provides useful guidance to households on how to improve environmental performance of both methods,” Greg Keoleian, director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, and the study’s senior author, told Michigan News, a publication from the university.
When typical practices for both hand washing and machine washing, dishwashers produced less than half of the greenhouse emissions. This is due in part to the heating of water.
Hot water is heated by the machine and only seven to 10 gallons of water are used per load, according to Tree Hugger. That’s because dishwashers reuse water that is continuously sprayed at the dirty dishes. Afterwards, the water is drained and the cycle is repeated.
It’s important to note that you do not have to rinse your dishes before putting them in a dishwasher, just scrape excess food before loading. Running your dishwasher full will also help you save energy, and you can also air dry your dishes instead of using the drying cycle.
If you are purchasing a new dishwasher, look for one with an Energy Star Label from the EPA. You will get a more efficient machine and save money on energy costs.
How to Make Handwashing More Efficient
The dishwashing method that was the least efficient, according to Popular Science, is to run the tap water when doing dishes manually.
But if you don’t have a dishwasher or only have a small amount to wash, there is a way to make dishwashing more environmentally friendly. If you have two sinks, you can use one to wash and one to rinse and save water. If you never turn on the water while you are rinsing, you might be able to environmentally outperform a dishwasher.
