Schools across the country are looking for meaningful ways to reduce waste and build sustainability into everyday operations. At New Branches Charter Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that commitment to sustainability is already part of the school’s culture—and their cafeteria is the latest place where that mission is making a measurable difference.

Recently, New Branches Charter Academy made the decision to switch from disposable plastic utensils to reusable stainless-steel sporks, eliminating an estimated 63,000 plastic sporks from the landfill EVERY YEAR!

A School Built Around Sustainability

New Branches Charter Academy is known as a destination school for families seeking an education rooted in environmental awareness and responsible stewardship. The school integrates environmentally focused learning with real-world practices that help students understand how sustainability works in everyday life.

Their commitment goes beyond the classroom. By emphasizing self-sustaining practices and academic excellence, the school creates opportunities for students to see how thoughtful choices—big and small—can positively impact the environment.

Before introducing reusable utensils, the school had already taken an important step toward reducing waste by using reusable trays in the cafeteria. Adding stainless steel sporks was a natural next step.

With this change, students can now enjoy meals using durable utensils that are washed and reused instead of thrown away after a single use. The result is a cafeteria system that significantly reduces waste while demonstrating practical sustainability in action.

Eliminating 63,000 Pieces of Plastic Waste From the Cafeteria

The impact of this transition is substantial. By replacing disposable utensils with reusable stainless-steel sporks, New Branches Charter Academy will prevent approximately 63,000 plastic sporks each year from entering landfills.

For students, the change also reinforces an important lesson: sustainable systems are often built through simple, thoughtful improvements that add up over time. Using only one utensil, a spork, creates less washing because you clean only one piece of silverware instead of a separate spoon and fork.

Funding Support Makes It Possible for Schools to Switch to Reusables

The transition was made possible through support from Plastic Free Restaurants, which provided a subsidy for the reusable sporks. To date, Plastic Free America has eliminated more than 19 million single-use plastic items from the waste stream.  Partnerships like this help schools adopt sustainable solutions that might otherwise be difficult to implement within tight foodservice budgets.

School Nutrition Director Teaches Sustainability by Doing

At New Branches Charter Academy, sustainability is not just a concept—it’s a practice students experience every day. From reusable plates to stainless-steel sporks, the cafeteria now reflects the same environmental values taught in the classroom. Anita Smith, School Nutrition Director explained, “By eliminating tens of thousands of disposable utensils each year, the school is showing that simple operational changes can create meaningful environmental impact—and inspire the next generation to think differently about waste.”

As more schools explore ways to reduce single-use plastics, the example set by New Branches Charter Academy demonstrates how practical solutions can turn everyday routines into powerful lessons in sustainability. 🌱