As the world begins to move towards a greener and sustainable future, it is time that Palos Verdes schools begin to do the same. Today, cafeterias in all 18 PVPUSD schools use plastic cutlery as utensils. It is clear that a change must be made, and the answer is clear: Plastic cutlery must be banned in PV schools and replaced with metal utensils. 

The switch from plastic to metal silverware has  proven successful in saving money, water, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, a middle school in Minnesota made the conscious decision to remove all plastic utensils in cafeterias and replace them with silverware. The school found that over the course of three years, they had saved more than $23,000, prevented over 6,000 pounds of trash, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 77%. This story is that of great success, and serves as an example that all PV schools can easily follow. The school stated that in order to implement the transition from plastic to metal, they simply placed collection bins in the cafeteria for students to return their forks after use. There have not been any reports about issues with students throwing away metal cutlery or stealing the forks. 

Although the PVPUSD Food Services Department states that they use biodegradable utensils in cafeterias, that does not mean that they are any better than conventional plastic forks. Biodegradable plastics contain the same environmental dangers as plastic forks. The forks in PV cafeterias are still capable of becoming micro plastics that pollute water sources as they decompose, have potential to kill animals if the invade local ecosystems, and are made up of the same petrochemicals that conventional plastic forks are composed of.

I urge you to sign this petition. I am a high school student within the PVPUSD district and desire to make positive changes in my community. I understand that this change may be viewed as difficult for many district officials, however there is not any shortcoming to shifting from plastic to metal forks. Showing students of all ages that making changes towards an environmentally conscious future will make habits that will last a life time. Thank you.

Link to the Minnesota Case Study:   https://www.pca.state.mn.us/living-green/case-study-schools-move-reusable-utensils