# Know Those 18oz. Hefty "Party-Cups" That Come Like 30 To A Pack? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 17, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978 "2011-10-17T23:30:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/1 "2011-10-17T23:30:08Z")
Do any of y’all every re-use those? **D** always sticks 'em in the dishwasher and she doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with re-using (is that hyphenated?) them, but what say the “Teemsters”? 😉 Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/2 "2011-10-17T23:42:14Z")
Sure, you can re-use them. I wouldn’t do it if they were sitting out all night with beer/soda/other stuff in them, though. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/3 "2011-10-17T23:42:14Z")
If they still hold liquid, reuse is fine. Do you think they become poisonous after the first use? Of course, it’s even greener to just use a more durable tumbler of some sort. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/4 "2011-10-17T23:46:48Z")
I had some plastic party cups (not sure they were 18 oz) that I washed and reused for years. Eventually they got brittle and cracked. I can blow money like a drunken sailor on some things but when it comes to housewares…I’m a mega-cheapskate. Edit to add that I had real glasses for when I had guests, the reused plastic cups were for my own use. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/5 "2011-10-17T23:55:28Z")
I throw 'em away, but I do reuse plastic plates because they’re much more expensive than cups. Plates only last around 5 uses, though, before they crack or look like they’re about to crack. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/6 "2011-10-17T23:56:00Z")
I use them for my own consumption daily. I hate doing dishes in general so using them is preferable. I’ll reuse them a few times, I just rinse them real quick and put them on the drying rack. I wouldn’t go through the effort of actually washing them or putting them in the dish washer. I have real glasses I’d use if I was going to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/7 "2011-10-18T00:04:32Z")
Sure, they’re fine for several re-uses! I’m even cheaper than that, and rinse and re-use fountain soda cups quite a bit - especially the big styrofoam ones. It’s environmentally responsible, plus great for taking a big cup of coffee to work, without worrying about whether I’ll forget my “good” coffee mug. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/8 "2011-10-18T00:05:35Z")
We re-use all that stuff, as well as the plastic cups from fountain drinks at the gas station. My husband also re-uses plastic forks – says he likes them better than regular silverware. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/9 "2011-10-18T00:06:28Z")
I rinse and reuse the same one for days on end. Why? Because it’s handy that’s all. There’s always more in the bag, but I have one out next to where I work and I can just grab it. What’s the big deal? Don’t you reuse your other dishes? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/10 "2011-10-18T00:25:26Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I rinse and reuse the same one for days on end. Why? Because it’s handy that’s all. There’s always more in the bag, but I have one out next to where I work and I can just grab it. What’s the big deal? Don’t you reuse your other dishes? Not the ones they give me to catch a stool specimen in, **TriPolar**!:D:) And it _isn’t_ a big deal, **Tri**. I was just asking, and by doing that, you guys have again saved me money, and that is cool indeed! But point well taken, and thanks to all of you for responding! Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/11 "2011-10-18T02:23:13Z")
Moved Cafe Society --\> IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/12 "2011-10-18T02:25:33Z")
I just rinse them out, too. If they held soda or water, how dirty could they be? Those big sturdy plastic cups that hold a quart of soda you buy at the 7-11, I found they could go in the recycling bin if they have a ‘5’ on the bottom. But that’s just in my area. I really don’t like to use plastic cups unless I had a BIG party. I would rather wash glasses than chuck stuff into the trash. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/13 "2011-10-18T03:04:59Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Not the ones they give me to catch a stool specimen in, **TriPolar**!:D:) Note to self: Bring own cup to Quasimodem’s house. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/14 "2011-10-18T03:41:44Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Note to self: Bring own cup to Quasimodem’s house. :D:D:D ROTFLMAO!:D:D:D Too bad there isn’t an emoticon for _roaring laughter_, **Tri**!, 'cause you sure caused it!!! Thanks for the laff! I’ll take all I can get!!! :D:D:D Quasi ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/15 "2011-10-18T05:28:46Z")
Glad I can help. I’ve been reading your other threads, and just don’t know what to say. If I gave you a few seconds of relief through laughter then I’ve done something worthwhile. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/16 "2011-10-18T05:50:09Z")
If you don’t know what to say, why keep reading? I live in the moment these days, don’t always make a whole lot of sense, but I try. This was a “reach-out”, a friendly effort to communicate, but even I know this doesn’t always work with everyone, so I’ve made it a rule not to be upset over it anymore. If WYSIWYG doesn’t work for you, I invite you to ignore me. “…and just don’t know what to say” is an indicator (if not a veiled insult) that you need to move on and pass me by. Respectfully, Quasimodem ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/17 "2011-10-18T14:07:25Z")
It’s not an insult. I don’t have the words for the situation. You may have noticed I can screw up a post and write something that sounds like the opposite of what I mean. I worry that I’ll make you feel worse than you already do. Even now I seemed to have done that. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/18 "2011-10-18T14:52:09Z")
Here is an homage to those very cups: [Toby Keith - Red Solo Cup (Unedited Version) - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKZqGJONH68) ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/19 "2011-10-18T18:09:11Z")
We reuse them sometimes - never put 'em in the dishwasher, though. I’m surprised to hear they’re dishwasher safe. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978/20 "2011-10-18T18:20:09Z")
I often reuse Styrofoam plates. If they’re scratched up and have a lot of grease or sauce stains or detritus from messy foods I’ll just throw them away. But if I’m using them for, say, a sandwich and chips I’ll just rinse them off and put them in our cupboard. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-those-18oz-hefty-party-cups-that-come-like-30-to-a-pack/599978.md?page=2)