Central Elementary School in the Davison school district in Michigan is proving that small changes can make a big impact—both for students and the planet. This year, the school officially transitioned away from single-use plastic forks, spoons, and trays, adopting long-lasting stainless-steel sporks and 5-compartment trays instead. The results have been immediate, inspiring, and measurable.
A Major Win for Waste Reduction
Before the switch, Central Elementary used tens of thousands of disposable items each year—most of which ended up in the local landfill. By moving to durable, reusable foodware, the school is now preventing the following from going to the landfill:
- 72,900 expanded polystyrene trays (also known as Styrofoam)
- 41,220 polystyrene forks
- 49,680 polypropylene spoons
That’s a total of 2,226 pounds of plastic waste eliminated every school year.
Crystal, Head Cook, said “The kids really like the new reuse program. We went from 22 bags of trash to 14 in the first day!”
These plastics—especially polystyrene—do not readily break down, and many release toxic chemicals as they sit in landfills. Polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam, takes up to 500 years to decompose. Central Elementary’s shift to reusable items keeps harmful materials out of the environment and contributes to a healthier community.
Choosing Healthier, Safer, Sustainable Lunchware
To replace disposables, Central Elementary adopted stainless-steel sporks and five-compartment trays made in the USA by We ReUse.
Davison School Food Supervisor, Jennifer Lutze, emphasized “It is important to teach our kids how important it is to reuse and compost.”
These durable options are easy to sanitize, safer for students, and far more environmentally friendly. The cafeteria is not only cleaner and greener—it’s also a space where students can see sustainability in action every single day.
Savings That Add Up
Sustainability isn’t just good for the environment—it’s good for the school budget, too. Central Elementary is now saving:
- $9,062 every year by no longer purchasing single-use foodware
- Over $2,000 a year in reduced waste-hauling fees
That’s money the school can redirect to classrooms, programming, or other resources that directly benefit students.
Support From Plastic Free Restaurants
A key partner in this transition was Plastic Free Restaurants, a non-profit dedicated to helping schools, restaurants, and community kitchens eliminate single-use plastics. The organization covered an impressive 83% of the cost of the stainless-steel sporks and trays.
Plastic Free Restaurants’ mission is simple but powerful: reduce petroleum-based plastic waste by subsidizing the purchase of reusable replacements. Their contribution made it possible for Central Elementary to make the switch quickly, affordably, and with long-lasting impact.
Creating a Sustainability Model for Other Schools
Central Elementary’s leadership shows what is possible when schools commit to sustainability. Their success is a model for other Michigan schools—and beyond—that want to reduce waste, protect student health, and save money at the same time.
With every stainless-steel spork and tray washed and reused, students learn that caring for the environment is a daily practice. This change doesn’t just create a better cafeteria—it nurtures responsible, empowered citizens.
Central Elementary School has taken an important step toward a cleaner future. And with the help of supportive organizations like Plastic Free Restaurants and We ReUse, it’s clear that going plastic-free is not only achievable—it’s the smart choice for kids, communities, and the planet.