Disposable product

A disposable (also called disposable product) is a product designed for cheapness and short-term convenience rather than medium to long-term durability, with most products only intended for single use. The term is also sometimes used for products that may last several months (ex. disposable air filters) to distinguish from similar products that last indefinitely (ex. washable air filters).

Materials and costs

Disposables are most often made from paper, plastic, cotton, or polystyrene foam.

Examples of disposables

Kitchen & dining products

Disposable dishware / drinkware (ex. plates, bowls, cups)
Plastic cutlery (ex. spoons, knives, forks, sporks)
Disposable table cloth
Cans, bottles, jars, cartons, wrappers and other food packaging are largely recyclable, and some are even compostable
Inexpensive tupperware products are recyclable
Cupcake wrappers, coffee filters are compostable

Medical & Hygiene products

Medical and surgical device manufacturers worldwide produce a multitude of items that are intended for one use only. The primary reason is infection control; when an item is used only once it cannot transmit infectious agents to subsequent patients. Manufacturers of any type of medical device are obliged to abide by numerous standards and regulations. ISO 15223: Medical Devices and EN 980 cite that single use instruments or devices be labelled as such on their packaging with a universally recognized symbol to denote "do not re-use," "single use," or "use only once". This symbol is the numeral 2, within a circle with a 45° line through it.

Examples of single use items include:

Hypodermic Needles
Toilet paper
Condoms and other contraception products
Disposable enemas and similar products
Cotton swabs and pads
Medical and cleaning gloves
Baby and adult diapers, and training pants
Shaving razors, waxing kits, combs, and other hair control products
Toothbrushes, dental floss, and other oral care products
Hospital aprons
Disposable panties in postpartum
Contact lenses

Electronics

Non-rechargeable batteries are considered hazardous waste and should only be disposed of as such.
Disposable ink cartridges
Inexpensive quartz watches such as those with non-replaceable batteries

Defense and law enforcement

Ammunition ; but shell casings are recyclable
PlastiCuffs

Other consumer products

Paper shopping bags can be reused and are recyclable
Plastic shopping bags can be reused and are also recyclable at many grocery stores
Vacuum cleaner bags, water, air, coolant, and other filters
Paper currency (worn out banknotes are removed from circulation by the Federal Reserve)
Ballpoint pens, erasers, and other writing implements
Aseptic milk and soy milk containers

Environmental impact

The use of disposable products had led to a marked increase in trash. Overconsumption, Movements such as Landfill diversion exist which seek to combat disposable item overuse, and the resulting trash.