Every day in Pearland ISD, students eat hot meals on styrofoam and soft plastics — materials that can leach harmful chemicals and microplastics into their food. At the same time, cafeterias generate massive amounts of single-use waste from trays, wrappers, and plastic utensils.

Across the U.S., public schools create an estimated 14,500 tons of waste daily, nearly half from food-service packaging. Each student using disposable lunches produces around 67 pounds of trash per year. Reducing plastics in Pearland ISD would protect student health and drastically cut unnecessary waste.

What I’m asking Pearland ISD to do:

(1.) Phase out styrofoam trays by switching to clearly defined alternatives:
-Reusable stainless-steel trays in schools with dishwashing capacity
-Compostable fiber trays (unlined, PFAS-free) in schools without dishwashers
-Avoid plastic-coated or foam-like “compostable” trays that still carry chemical risks

(2.) Replace disposable plastic utensils with compostable or reusable utensils.
-Reduce individually wrapped items by offering bulk or unpackaged options, like fruit, sandwiches in paper wrappers, or snack bins.

(3.) Expand water refill stations.
-Allow more students to use refillable bottles instead of disposable plastic bottles.

These steps are practical, budget-conscious, and focused on safeguarding student health, while also tackling the enormous environmental impact of single-use plastics. They can be implemented gradually, starting with the schools that generate the most disposables.

By taking action now, Pearland ISD can create a safer, healthier cafeteria environment and drastically reduce the flood of plastic waste for years to come.