Schools Make Switch to New Food Trays

Published January 7, 2010

Four Williamson County schools will soon make the switch from Styrofoam-like food trays to hard trays. Nolensville Elementary, Sunset Elementary, Sunset Middle and Westwood Elementary will begin using the new, permanent trays in the next two weeks. WCS Food Service Director James Remete says the move is a good way to help out the environment.

"I think we need to do our best to try and cut down on the amount of waste we produce," said Remete. "By making the switch to hard trays, we will be saving landfills from approximately 375,000 Styrofoam-like trays each year."

The idea took flight last school year when students at both Hillsboro K-8 and Scales Elementary approached Remete to discuss the harmful effects of plastic foam trays on the environment. A short time later, Scales Elementary became the first school in the district to make the switch to permanent trays. According to Remete, more schools will follow in the years ahead.

"We won't be able to do this with every school," said Remete. "But in the schools where we can do it, we plan to make the switch as fast as we can."