Schools Will Phase Out Disposable Food Ware in Cafeterias
MIDDLETOWN, CT: Clean Water Action and Middletown Public Schools are unveiling their partnership to fight waste and plastic pollution by phasing out disposable dining ware in school cafeterias district-wide. The environmental non-profit will be joining district leaders on October 7th for Middletown Public School’s celebration of CT Grown for CT Kids Week and National Farm to School Month to announce that Middletown Schools are joining Clean Water’s ReThink Disposable campaign, a national effort to reduce single-use disposable waste generated in food service. ReThink Disposable has already prevented the use of over 28 million pieces of single-use disposable food ware.
“We are thrilled that Middletown Public Schools are joining Clean Water Action’s ReThink Disposable campaign. Every day, millions of single-use disposable items like trays, sporks, straws, and cups are tossed in the trash in cafeterias and restaurants nationwide. Middletown Schools are modeling a better way forward that is healthier for the kids, better for the planet, and saves the district money in the long run,” said Amber Schmidt, Clean Water Action’s Zero Waste Specialist.
“Partnering with Clean Water Action’s ReThink Disposable campaign is a natural fit for our efforts to reduce waste and serve nutritious, eco-friendly meals. We believe sustainable practices start in our cafeterias and ripple throughout the community,” said Randall Mel, Jr., Director of Food, Nutrition and Wellness Services for Middletown Public Schools.
“Connecticut, and all of New England, is facing a trash crisis. Disposal capacity is dwindling, forcing municipalities to ship trash further away, increasing both financial and environmental costs. Communities are working to implement strategies to minimize the amount of trash going to landfills and incinerators. This partnership with Clean Water Action’s ReThink Disposable program has helped Middletown take steps to reduce waste from our schools, reduce costs, and create more sustainable systems in our school cafeterias,” said Kim O’Rourke, Middletown Recycling Coordinator.
The school district will begin with reusable plates and bowls and introduce additional reusable items throughout the school year with the goal of Zero Waste meals. The district joins a growing movement of restaurants and institutions joining ReThink Disposable across New England.
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Since our founding during the campaign to pass the landmark Clean Water Act in 1972, Clean Water Action has worked to win strong health and environmental protections by bringing issue expertise, solution-oriented thinking, and people power to the table. www.cleanwater.org