I agree, the cost comparison of cafeteria disposables vs. durables is
surprisingly complex and involve lots of site-specific considerations. I
have seen a Vermont study of about 10 years ago that rated the
reusable system as solidly cost-effective against disposables.
The floor space issue might be surprising on closer examination. I think
the Vermont study found that the space requirements for inventory
storage, trash collection, and overall handling of the disposables was
greater than the space taken up by the alternate reusables cleaning
system.
Bill Carter
TNRCC