Besides, as you say, the metal ones are autoclave-able. Or ultrasound-able. And from the clean shape and the separate packaging they come in, my shrewd guess is that is precisely what is being done to them prior to sending out. If you have any concerns (unwarranted, I daresay), you can put them in the dishwasher and/or rinse them with Alcohol. That will securely kill any bacteria or viruses there could possibly be - including HIV and H1N1.
All else is cultural - most Europeans just don't hold with the "use it perhaps once and throw it in the garbage" mentality that still prevails in the lower 48. This is also about saving valuable natural ressources such as crude oil (which is the raw material for plastic) and reducing garbage. Plus, many Europeans consider things that you can use more than once more intrinsically valuable and of much better quality than one-way stuff. That's also why drinks are sold in recyclable bottles around here, and no longer in cans. That's neither better nor worse, just different! >
Cheers,
SC
All else is cultural - most Europeans just don't hold with the "use it perhaps once and throw it in the garbage" mentality that still prevails in the lower 48. This is also about saving valuable natural ressources such as crude oil (which is the raw material for plastic) and reducing garbage. Plus, many Europeans consider things that you can use more than once more intrinsically valuable and of much better quality than one-way stuff. That's also why drinks are sold in recyclable bottles around here, and no longer in cans. That's neither better nor worse, just different! >
Cheers,
SC
