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Round Rock ISD Spending Thousands On Lunch Trays
The Round Rock Independent School district is admitting to throwing out hundreds of Styrofoam lunch trays daily.
A viewer told KEYE TV about the issue. So we tracked down school officials and asked them the tough questions.
A spokesperson for the district tells us they spend between $.03 and $.04 on each tray. Last year they spent more than $110,000 on all campuses.
Officials were not available for an on-camera interview, but issued this statement:
“Regarding the purchase of food trays, the district considers the total “carbon footprint,” which means we look at more than just disposal. The composition of the disposable trays we use has the least-negative overall environmental impact. For example, a polystyrene foam tray emits 50 percent less Greenhouse gas (GHG) during its lifecycle, uses 2.5 times less materials than typical alternatives, and uses very minimal water during its life cycle. The trays are composed of 90 percent air, so they are lightweight to ship, and decrease impact of volume in landfills. Additionally, the use of the disposable trays limits the impact on other natural resources during manufacturing, such as water. The introduction of re-usable plastic trays has the possibility of negatively impacting the environment due to the use of chemicals, detergents, and sanitizers entering the water system when washing the trays, not to mention the increase in water consumption.”
KEYE TV found out there are very few facilities that collect the product.
“It's more of a cost issue, the energy, man power,” said recycling attendant Chisolm Cardwell.
The City of Round Rock Recycling Center tells us that if they do receive Styrofoam they will dispose of it. Typically they get a trash can a day.
“Most of our customers are regulars and can't except it,” said Cardwell.
However, the facility says one woman is trying to recycle it on her own.
“If they are still left here she takes them to charities, churches, small businesses that need them,” said Cardwell.
Round Rock ISD says the food service is always looking for ways to improve their environmental impact. While the trays are not reused, the district does recycle cardboard, plastic containers and aluminum cans.
By Christie Post
Round Rock ISD Spending Thousands On Lunch Trays
The Round Rock Independent School district is admitting to throwing out hundreds of Styrofoam lunch trays daily.
A viewer told KEYE TV about the issue. So we tracked down school officials and asked them the tough questions.
A spokesperson for the district tells us they spend between $.03 and $.04 on each tray. Last year they spent more than $110,000 on all campuses.
Officials were not available for an on-camera interview, but issued this statement:
“Regarding the purchase of food trays, the district considers the total “carbon footprint,” which means we look at more than just disposal. The composition of the disposable trays we use has the least-negative overall environmental impact. For example, a polystyrene foam tray emits 50 percent less Greenhouse gas (GHG) during its lifecycle, uses 2.5 times less materials than typical alternatives, and uses very minimal water during its life cycle. The trays are composed of 90 percent air, so they are lightweight to ship, and decrease impact of volume in landfills. Additionally, the use of the disposable trays limits the impact on other natural resources during manufacturing, such as water. The introduction of re-usable plastic trays has the possibility of negatively impacting the environment due to the use of chemicals, detergents, and sanitizers entering the water system when washing the trays, not to mention the increase in water consumption.”
KEYE TV found out there are very few facilities that collect the product.
“It's more of a cost issue, the energy, man power,” said recycling attendant Chisolm Cardwell.
The City of Round Rock Recycling Center tells us that if they do receive Styrofoam they will dispose of it. Typically they get a trash can a day.
“Most of our customers are regulars and can't except it,” said Cardwell.
However, the facility says one woman is trying to recycle it on her own.
“If they are still left here she takes them to charities, churches, small businesses that need them,” said Cardwell.
Round Rock ISD says the food service is always looking for ways to improve their environmental impact. While the trays are not reused, the district does recycle cardboard, plastic containers and aluminum cans.
By Christie Post
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