The cafeteria uses single-use plastic containers for many food items, including yogurt and fruits. These items can be purchased and then the container is often thrown away. According to Lily Freely, sophomore Edvironment club member, this action, although minor, could have effects on the environment.
“By just throwing away one thing you already have an impact on the environment and what your ecological footprint says about you,” Freely said. “Building and lowering your ecological footprint is easier than it sounds.”
According to Shayla Ide, sophomore Edvironment club member, plastic is cheap and sturdy but does not break down well inside landfills. Some alternatives can be used that are not as harmful as plastic.
“Instead of plastic packaging, maybe reusable, or compostable packaging, something a little more eco-friendly, and it actually doesn’t really cost that much more,” Ide said.
According to Freely and Ide, Edvironment holds events to raise awareness about plastic use. They also have tips to help people reduce the use of plastic in everyday life, especially in the cafeteria.
“Reusing is the biggest thing,” Ide said. “If you use a plastic fork, maybe wash it and use it for the next day or just be conscious of how much you take[…] It is just being aware of how much you’re using and just trying to use less or use more reusable items.”
Both Freely and Ide agree the school does what it can to prevent plastic waste, but the amount of single-use plastics used is high. Recycling plastics can lower the amount of waste, but making sure there are enough recycling bins is another issue.
“Right now, [Edvironment] is proposing to the school board new recycling bins across multiple fields, like the field house,” Freely said, “so that students during football games or basketball games aren’t leaving trash everywhere.”
