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The amount of trash taken from meals increased from 10 bags to three bags on the very first day. MHS administrators believe that the switch to reusables will reduce waste 50%.

For years, high school cafeterias used single-use Styrofoam food trays. Environmental Club members decided to ask the Food Service Department at the school corporation if the high school could also use reusable meal plates.

Angelica Claiborne, Food Service Director, stated that she was both excited and scared at once. It is better to not use Styrofoam, but the highschool has not used reusable tray in over 10 years.

Members of the Environmental Club presented their plan to Food Service in January. They were able to get their approval.

Reusable trays offer many benefits, including the ability to save money, reduce waste and conserve the environment.

According to their presentation the school corporation spent $16,389 on single use foam trays last school year. 2,150 reusable plates were purchased for $8.512.42. This represents a significant savings.

The corporation will also produce less garbage and spend less money on waste hauling.

It is not recyclable in Northwest Indiana. It takes approximately 500 years for it to decompose.

Students presented evidence that Styrofoam can also be produced by air emissions and hazardous waste.

Environmental Club members put up signage in cafeterias to inform their peers about the new lunch procedure. They also created announcements on the Pirate News Network and a video educating students.