Most US public school cafeterias rely on single-use tableware, producing vast amounts of garbage daily. A school’s investment in reusables can end this waste, save money, and foster a mindset of environmental stewardship.
The Dryden Middle School/High School Sustainability Club, a teacher-led group of students devoted to reducing their connected schools’ environmental footprint in many ways, equipped their cafeterias with reusable dishes and trays as part of a renovation that added an industrial dishwasher to the shared kitchen but included no funds for reusable utensils. In October 2023, the club received a Neighborhood Mini-Grant from Sustainable Finger Lakes, largely funding the purchase of stainless-steel forks, knives, and spoons, plus equipment to dispense and store them.
The middle and high school cafeterias were equipped with these utensils in spring 2024, ending the monthly $240 purchase, use, and disposal of about 8,060 plastic utensils. There has been little trouble with students thoughtlessly discarding their cafeteria reusables, thanks to the Sustainability Club’s efforts to educate the student body about the transition.
Students testify to the value of the change:
“It feels great that we are polluting Earth less. For example, when I clean up after lunch, I notice a significant change in the amount of plastic in the trash.” – Lungawm Songput
“The addition of the metal utensils makes lunch feel higher quality, and I believe that it will be a valuable change to the sustainability in our community at Dryden.” – Zach Washburn
“I use the new metal utensils every day. They are so much easier than trying to take the plastic one out of the machines. I have also decreased the amount of waste I consume daily.” – Hunter Barlow
In May 2024, the project – and the Neighborhood Mini-Grant program – made regional TV in a Spectrum News 1 feature story.
The Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program provides seed money to diverse initiatives to build environmental, economic, and social resilience and well-being in Tompkins County. The program is supported by Craig Riecke, the Park Foundation, and local donors. The next deadline to apply for a Mini-Grant is April 1, 2024. To request an application or learn more, email sasha@sustainablefingerlakes.org.
Written by Sasha Paris
