Lunchroom to Legislation: Students Lead the Charge Against Styrofoam

Students in the Everglades Foundation’s Champions in Action used Environmental Action Civics to change their district’s policy around styrofoam!

Students at Key Largo School in Monroe County, FL chose the problem of Styrofoam lunch trays in their cafeteria as the issue they wanted to tackle in order to help improve water quality. They thoroughly researched all the policies and practices around the use of Styrofoam, including the economics of alternatives. They then prepared a presentation to the Monroe County School Board to ask for approval to eliminate Styrofoam trays at their school. Their presentation was so convincing that the school board created a new districtwide policy that eliminates Styrofoam at all schools in Monroe County. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, Monroe County School District will NO longer use styrofoam lunch trays in any of the schools. They will now use the recycled paper trays.

Photo Credit: Photo by Julio Lopez on Unsplash