Styrofoam trays cause environmental, health problems, school must find replacement

Dear school administration,

As I watch hundreds of disposable styrofoam lunch trays being thrown away daily, I can’t help but wonder why many people overlook the severity of this environmental disgrace. Styrofoam, or Expanded Polystyrene Styrofoam (EPS), is a type of plastic that causes numerous ecological and health problems. The plastic is not recyclable, and it often ends up in landfills where it releases 20 times the amount of CO2 than other plastics. If not a landfill, it can often be found floating in the ocean and is mistaken as food by many marine creatures. Healthwise, the chemicals in the plastic can leech into food and beverages, which may lead to cancer or other serious health issues. According to administration, when they rebuilt the school years ago, they did not build an area for a washing machine in the cafeteria kitchen, and there is not enough money in the budget to add a new addition and a washing machine. Styrofoam trays create health and environmental risks that have simple preventable measures. The school should spend less money on useless technology (TVs and iPads), and save up to get a dishwasher because students’ health and future should be a priority.

A concerned student,

Meredith Eppen

Class of 2019