School is back in session and the cafeterias are busy again. Schools are focusing on feeding kids healthy foods, but how do you know if they are eating off of healthy lunch trays? A lot of schools stopped using the plastic trays when Styrofoam became popular because of how cheap it is for schools to buy. Now, a lot of schools are reverting back to reusable trays because of how un-environmentally friendly Styrofoam is. Styrofoam takes years to decompose and is a leading cause of ocean pollution. Several school districts moved to use paper trays that can be used in compost, but unless the school has a composting facility, these trays also end up in landfills.
An alternative is using trays made from plastic and melamine. Melamine is a heavy, rigid material that is very scratch and break resistant, which is great for primary schools. Most reusable trays that you would find in a school cafeteria have compartments, which makes portion control easier. There are also right and left handed trays for children’s comfort and convenience. While these reusable trays might be more expensive initially, the long term cost and effect on the environment outweighs the damage that Styrofoam trays cause. Schools that are concerned with energy and water waste can easily install conveyor dishwashers that take less time to wash trays and there are many options that are ENERGY STAR® approved. Kids need to know that what they are eating is healthy for them and what they are eating off of is healthy for the earth.
