Guilford Schools are Styrofoam Free in the Cafeteria

Guilford Public Schools no longer purchases Styrofoam products for any of our cafeterias in the district. The environmentally friendly change from using Styrofoam lunch trays to molded fiber trays made from 100% recycled paper fibers is due, in part, to the dedicated efforts of the students and parents of the Green Patrol, an environmental group at Guilford Lakes Elementary School.

While economical, the Styrofoam trays, used in most districts across Connecticut and the country, contain the chemicals styrene and benzene. Once disposed of, the trays end up in landfills or incinerated.

This was unacceptable to the Green Patrol, whose work since its inception in 2009 has included educating staff and students throughout the school district on the environment and recycling, initiating a “Think Before You Toss” program to reduce trash, and setting up collection bins throughout their school.

Lakes students had addressed the Board in June 2014 regarding their concerns about the district’s use of Styrofoam trays. The district had begun looking into alternative trays, having already eliminated the use of Styrofoam soup bowls and coffee cups, but expedited the process over the summer following the students’ presentation. The new paper fiber trays were put into use this fall.

Last night, fourth grader’s Isabelle Ireland and Eliana Weinzimer again addressed the Board. Izzy stated, “I’m thankful that Guilford changed the styrofoam trays to fiber trays so quickly. We learned a good lesson, that people will listen to kids.” Ellie added, “At first we were afraid of grownups but you showed us not to be scared. We had 42 members of the Green Patrol and now we have 111 - 69 more than we had last year.”

Superintendent Paul Freeman is proud of the change and the process. “It feels great to be one of only a handful of districts in the State that is now Styrofoam free,” he stated. “I’m proud of our students and their parents for their resolve to see this change take place. It is important for our students to know that we are listening and for them to know that they can affect meaningful change.”

Guilford Lakes’ parents Susan Ireland, Pamela Medvecky, Wendy Ward, Stephanie Maurer, and Christa Parisi oversee the work of the Green Patrol, whose members now include over one hundred Guilford Lakes’ students. The students who spoke to the Board of Education in June and were particularly instrumental in affecting the change to the new trays are Richard Russo, Jack Rasmussen, Vanessa Munoz, Caitlin Maurer, Owen Medvecky, Christina LaChance, Cassie Ward, Morgan Dickenson, Amanda Wang, Eliana Weinzimer, Georgia Pearce, Isabelle Ireland. Parents and students are very grateful for the support of their school principal Jill Hale, custodians Phil Melillo and Beverly Carr, and the cafeteria staff at Guilford Lakes School.