4 Reasons to Ditch Single-Use Plasticware at Your School
Gen Alpha students know they’re coming of age during a climate emergency, and they’re looking to adults to act responsibly. Both they and their environmentally conscious millennial parents are shaping expectations for foodservice, including at school. Here are four benefits of adopting eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plasticware at your school:
- Cost Savings: Ordering disposable plasticware adds up quickly. Reusable tableware, including dishes, washable trays and reusable water bottles, is a one-time purchase.
- Efficiency: By eliminating these inventory and ordering tasks, food program directors and staff can focus on menu development, ingredient procurement and serving excellent meals.
- Consistency: Transitioning away from disposables creates a more self-reliant system that isn’t subject to external disruptions like supply chain issues, single-use bans or price surges.
- Increased Engagement: A survey showed that 66% of Gen Alpha respondents were drawn to companies that have a positive impact on the world. When you adopt eco-friendly practices at your cafeteria, students may be more likely to participate in school meals.
The advantages of modeling environmental responsibility are multifold for K-12 foodservice: you’re aligning with the values of students and parents, and inspiring students to eat nutritious meals in the cafeteria. What would convince you to make the switch away from single-use plastics at your school? Tell us what you think on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Sources:
“Tableware & Trays” – 2025 – Green Schools Alliance
“Gen Alpha Are Ready to Spend—and They Want to Be Treated Like Adults” – 2024 – BBC
“The Future is Now: Unpacking the Stats on Gen Alpha’s Marketing Impact” – 2024 – The Shelf
“Generation Alpha: The Real Picture” – 2025 – GWI
“Generation Alpha Statistics 2025—Population & Literacy Data" – demandsage
