SUMMARY: Because of the overwhelming amount of plastic used for foodware at San Mateo Unified High School District (SMUHSD) schools, ending plastic foodware is vital to mitigate the effects of climate change. By signing this petition, you are supporting a regulation that will be proposed to the SMUHSD Board that will: 1. replace plastic foodware with reusable/biodegradable foodware; 2. create an improved waste system; 3. ensure proper disposal of waste. Please sign this petition to the right to show your support for ending plastic foodware at SMUHSD. Please also fill out this 5-minute survey that gathers data about opinions on waste at SMUHSD: End Plastic Foodware at SMUHSD Survey

We thank you for your support!

Plastic waste is everywhere. It's what you use when eating your meal, it's what is used to wrap our Amazon packages, and it's the material that packages the foods you eat. Plastic waste must be reduced as it's a big contributor to climate change. In the US, we generate over 35 million tons of plastic per year, with only 9% of that being recycled (EPA). Plastic waste is not only a big issue regarding climate change, but it’s also one of the most attainable ways we as regular people can actively change in order to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Currently, San Mateo Unified High School District (SMUHSD) schools use plastic foodware and packaging to distribute meals. With over 9,000 SMUHSD students and daily brunch AND lunch being served, an overwhelming amount of plastic is generated each day as many of these students receive free meals. As you can see, plastic waste is a big issue at SMUHSD.

We, as the San Mateo County Youth Commission’s Environmental Justice Subcommittee, are calling on the SMUHSD Board of Trustees to adopt and pass a regulation that will:

1. Replace plastic foodware by mandating the use of either reusable or biodegradable foodware (containers, utensils, lids, etc.). This also includes replacing the plastic condiment packets with sustainably-purchased condiment dispensers.
2. Create a waste sorting system for bins of waste, compost, and recycling in order to ensure the proper sorting of waste. This also includes displaying educational signage of appropriate cafeteria and food items labeled on the waste bins.
3. Mandate the proper disposal of total waste to proper facilities by having custodial services dispose of waste properly and allowing for waste and disposal services to collect the correct types of waste.

By passing this regulation, this SIGNIFICANTLY reduces plastic waste at SMUHSD schools, aligning with the district's commitment to sustainability. It also allows students and faculty to learn about sustainability and waste management, which are crucial to learn about when regarding climate change.

SMUHSD is already committed to sustainability, so it's time for us to act now on the future of our community and schools.

~~~Please sign this petition if you support ending plastic foodware at SMUHSD schools.

We kindly ask you to also respond to this very short survey attached below about your feelings about waste at SMUHSD schools; we greatly appreciate your feedback :) 

End Plastic Foodware at SMUHSD Survey

We thank you for taking the time to sign this and your commitment to a sustainable future!

---San Mateo County Youth Commission’s Environmental Justice Subcommittee (Alina Shah, Matthew Lau, Anjuli Mishra, Rikhav Shah, and Zayne Abraham)

Reach out for questions: Matthew Lau (25laum79@stu.smuhsd.org)