Chatham Students Cut Back On Single-Use Plastics

CHATHAM, NJ - No more bottled water in the cafeteria one way Chatham High School is taking steps to reduce its reliance on single-use plastics

The goal of the move is to reduce the school’s environmental impact and instill in students the importance of conservation, according to officials.

As a first step toward plastics reduction, the CHS cafeteria has stopped selling water in plastic bottles. While boxed water is available for sale, the administration is encouraging students and staff to make use of the filtration systems, which were installed in 2016.

Throughout the school, students can find water bottle refilling stations, each of which is fitted with a water filter that has been tested to the following NSF International standards: ANSI/NSF Standard 42 Chlorine-Class 1, Particulate-Class 1, and Taste and Odor. ANSI/NSF Standard 53 for Reduction of Lead.

“The filters are nationally certified to filter contaminants, lead, chlorine, dirt, metal particles," Principal Darren Groh said. "We encourage students to bring a reusable water bottle and take advantage of the water that is available at these refilling stations.”

Last year, the CHS cafeteria began offering students the option of using metal cutlery instead of plastic and reusable bowls for salads.

“I think that the initiative to reduce single use plastic is a monumental step forward for the CHS body because it has forced us to form sustainable habits. As a result of the implementation of boxed water, more students are bringing in reusable water bottles because they do not want to drink out of cardboard," Senior Anna Van Wie, member of the CHS Green Team Sustainability Club said.

Wie noted that the use of biodegradable materials along with more students bringing in reusable water bottles has helped the students become more aware of their decisions, and that they must turn to new habits that will help reduce their carbon footprints collectively.

These efforts are part of a broader initiative by the School District of the Chathams to reduce the use of single-use plastics at all school sites.

“[W]e would like to reduce the amount of plastic waste we generate. We are going to continue to make an effort to use fewer plastic water bottles and also plastic utensils, where feasible,” Superintendent Michael LaSusa said. “Connected to this is the generation of garbage during our lunch hours. Lafayette Avenue School last year piloted ‘boomerang’ and ‘waste-free’ lunches. The idea was to either not use plastics or other single-use products at lunch, or/and for students to take home whatever they brought in with respect to lunch items. This experiment was enlightening and demonstrated how much food and other products turn into garbage after a 20-minute lunch period.”

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