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Conmunities Over Corporations - Michigan Capitol Day 2025
Across the country and here in Michigan, the attacks are escalating—on our freedoms, our schools, our paychecks, our healthcare, and our very democracy. While billionaires and lobbyists write the rules, working people are left to pick up the pieces. On Wednesday, April 23, we're sending a message: we're fighting back.
Tessa Krajewski
Tessa began working for Clean Water Action as the Office Manager of the Ann Arbor office in November of 2024. She has always had a passion for environmental justice and conservation, which was solidified by her work as a farm hand on numerous small-scale organic farms in southeastern Michigan. Her history as an environmental canvasser for Michigan League of Conservation Voters and her interest in wildlife conservation also informs her work.
Before working at Clean Water Action, Tessa earned a Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in Art & Design and Polish Language Studies from the University
Bedford Public Schools, Bedford, MA
Bedford Public Schools, located in Bedford, Massachusetts, serve approximately 2,500 students across four schools: Lt. Eleazer Davis Elementary (PK–2), Lt. Job Lane Elementary (3–5), John Glenn Middle School (6–8), and Bedford High School (9–12). Approximately 1,400 lunches are served daily across the district.
Thanks to a generous donation from PlasticFreeRestaurants.org, the schools’ polystyrene (foam) lunch trays were traded for Ahimsa stainless steel reusable trays in December 2024. This was the final phase of a district-wide cafeteria waste reduction program; since 2023, the district has implemented a food share table, and separating recycling, food scraps, and liquids from true trash.
Read The Full Case Study Here (PDF)
ReThink Disposable is a program of Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund conducted in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and government agencies. Generous support is provided by a changing list of public and private funders. To learn more about the program, its partners, and funders, visit: www.rethinkdisposable.org.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
Single-use expanded polystyrene 5-compartment tray
Recommendations Implemented:
Durable stainless-steel 5-compartment tray
Before & After
Document
MA-Bedford-ReThink-Case-Study.pdf
(981.12 KB)
Business Information:
97 McMahon Rd
Bedford, MA 01730
United States
The Bottom Line
$11,777.40
annual net cost savings
261,720
disposable items reduced per year
5,796 lbs.
annual waste reduction
In the Lane school, we have gone from 18 bags of trash a lunch day down to 6. The reusable trays have vastly reduced the amount of garbage thrown out and have actually streamlined the whole lunchtime custodial operation.
Reducing Single-Use Food Packaging
ReThink Disposable works with local governments, businesses and institutions, and consumers of single use food packaging to inspire a cultural shift away from single-use "throwaway" lifestyle.