KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo Public Schools Food Service has switched from styrofoam serving trays to what they call more environmentally friendly biodegradable trays in the district’s elementary schools.
KPS Food Service Department began making the switch this week and expected that all old styrofoam trays would be used up by Friday. The middle school and high schools already use paper serving products.
Kirsten Strong, the district’s registered dietician, said the district began ordering the biodegradable five-compartment trays in the summer. They piloted the trays at Prairie Ridge Elementary School early this year.
Strong said. “We just realized when we were doing the math that we were putting about one million styrofoam trays into the landfill each year.”
The move will come with a cost, because the old trays cost about seven cents each and the new trays are about 12 cents. Strong said they will offset the cost increase by making other changes such as using more bulk condiments rather than purchasing individual, prepackaged condiments.
Executive Chef Joshua Kerby said, “It’s just the right thing to do. We want our food service department to be a teaching tool for students. We teach nutrition, but we can also teach about different sustainable choices we can make in our lives.”
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