{"id":254,"date":"2021-06-25T16:47:08","date_gmt":"2021-06-25T06:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myschoolconnect.com.au\/blog\/?p=254"},"modified":"2021-06-25T16:47:37","modified_gmt":"2021-06-25T06:47:37","slug":"how-to-reduce-the-use-of-plastic-at-the-school-canteen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myschoolconnect.com.au\/blog\/how-to-reduce-the-use-of-plastic-at-the-school-canteen\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Reduce the Use of Plastic at the School Canteen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Waste
Waste management, Woman throwing plastic bottle into recycle bin. Waste separation rubbish before drop to garbage bin to save the world, environment care. Pollution trash recycling management concept.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australians generated 76 million tonnes of waste in 2019. Of this huge amount, 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste was produced, with households contributing to the highest proportion of plastic and organic waste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It goes without saying that landfill waste is a national crisis. The good news is that change begins in the home – literally. You can help make a difference by encouraging simple switches in the school canteen. With the amount of landfill waste that we are producing here in Australia, it\u2019s not enough to simply recycle. Here are just some suggestions on how you can reduce the use of single-use plastic at your school canteen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conduct an inventory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may be surprised by how many single-use plastic items that you currently use in your canteen. Think about all the plastic cutlery, plastic plates, bowls and cups, drink bottles, straws and bin bags that you store. Once you\u2019ve created an inventory, think about the different ways you can replace these items with more reusable alternatives. For example, consider ceramic mugs, stainless steel cutlery and glass cups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Educate the school community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you\u2019ve swapped out single-use plastics for reusable alternatives, you can begin a conversation about the next steps. Educate your students and  teachers about the devastating effects of plastic pollution and begin class discussions about the issue. Speak at assembly, place posters around the school or even show a movie screening of a documentary film that exposes the effects of plastic waste, such as \u201cA Plastic Ocean\u201d or \u201cBag It.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourage students and staff to BYO<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once everyone is aware of the school initiative to reduce single-use plastics, encourage students and teachers to bring their own reusable containers, drink bottles and cutlery. This also means asking students to forego the plastic cling wrap and instead bring their food nude or in reusable containers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Change the school canteen menu<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to replacing single-use plastics with reusable items, you might want to also change the school canteen menu. In order to reduce your carbon footprint, consider introducing organic, locally grown vegetables and vegan options. You can also sell reusable products in the school canteen or online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget to implement the \u2018First In, First Out\u2019 method of rotation. This ensures food that is soon to be expired will be selected first and not lost to the back of the fridge (and eventually thrown out).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why you should reduce single use plastics in your school canteen<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The future generations are inheriting a planet that is being distorted by human activities. By reducing single-use plastics in your school canteen, you will be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n