plastic free action​s for
High School Students


Start a #SkipTheStuff campaign


​
​​Easy Plastic Free Lunch actions
for every day!
NO PLASTIC ______ DAY!
Simplify the day with a focus on reducing just one kind of single-use plastic packaging, such as a:
-  NO PLASTIC STRAW DAY  (more ideas for reducing plastic straws ->)
-  NO CONDIMENT PACKET DAY - ask your school food manager if they can serve condiments in refillable containers or dispensers.

We suggest always starting with a before survey (or audit). 
Example: the steps for a "NO PLASTIC STRAW DAY":
 - 1 - Set out a box and sign  to collect all the plastic straws used ruing one lunch period or during all school lunch periods.
 - 2 - Count the straws and photograph all the straws (lay them out on a dark background).
 - 3 - Publicize the number of straws collected on that one day and the date of your NO PLASTIC STRAW DAY" 
 - 4 - On the day of the initiative, once again collect any plastic straws and photograph
 - 5 - Make posters with the 'before" and "after" data and photos 
 - 6 - Interview students and staff to find out what others suggest to do next to reduce single-use plastics and other packaging.
BRING YOUR OWN ______ DAY!
- BRING YOUR OWN FORK (and napkin) DAY
- BRING YOUR CUP or REUSABLE BOTTLE DAY
Picture
From the movie, "Microplastic Madness"
lead a "TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED Day"/ #SkipTheStuff  
-Create a utensil/packet/straw "by request only" action;  meet with your principal and school food manager to ask that these plastic items not be given out automatically.


- Make creative signs to encourage plastic waste reduction or use the flyer provided (above) and place near dispensers.
- Ask teachers to remind students just before lunch.
​- Start a campaign.
- Make announcements!
- Lead a before count of plastic utensils thrown away on a single day, start your campaign, then do an after count. Compare and publicize results.
PROMOTE A REUSE CULTURE - EVERYDAY!
Ask your food service manager to:
-  Offer plastic utensils by request only on days when pizza, burritos, and other hand-held foods are served. Salad bars can be stocked with cut vegetables.
- Serve all condiments and sauces in reusable dispensers or bottles.
- If your meals come packaged with the utensils, ask to try a new method of offering utensils.
- If your utensils and napkins come together in plastic wrap, ask for individual utensils and napkins!
GRATITUDE DAY!
"Thank your kitchen and custodial staff and school cafeteria aides!
- Hang up special "thank you' posters in the cafeteria with staff names.
- Encourage students to say "please" and "thank you" in the food line.
- Make a special "thank you" announcement at the end of the lunch period and invite kitchen and custodial staff to join you!
- Thank kitchen and custodial staff during school assemblies and recognize the work they do for the school community.

Showing gratitude supports positive change-making and builds community!  For inspiration, show our video, "School  Lunch in Japan- it's not just about eating" (34 million views on YouTube!)

More PLASTIC FREE ACTIONS for school & COmmunity!
  • Hold a fundraiser to buy reusable bottles or utensils for all students.
  • Create an education campaign to promote reduction of single-use plastics and reusables for home and store bought lunches.
  • Create an education campaign focused on reducing a specific single-use plastic item and offer solutions.

  • Conduct a survey of plastic waste or street/beach litter at  school/work/community to inform & persuade. (use our "DIY: DATA +ACTION litter clean up" guide!)
  • Create banners, posters or flyers about single use plastics to inform students, school staff and community to #uselessplastic.
  • Create an art installation or giant puppets using single use plastics as 3 dimensional data to inform & persuade.
  • Perform a theater piece, poetry, or music (on the streets or indoors) to engage new audiences on the plastic pollution issues and reduction.
  • Learn about local/state plastic-reduction bills/proposals and ask to meet with your local and state legislators to inform & persuade. Sharing your data helps! (find some NY and US bills ->)
  • Start planning now for a spring 2023 Plastic Free Lunch Day!
  • Lead  a "Write a Letter to the Editor" campaign or teach a lesson with our guidelines.
  • Write a letter to your principal, school food manager, and school board to request future Plastic Free Lunch Days as regular weekly or monthly menu days! (see our Sample Letter to the  Principal ->)
  • Ask to present to the PTA and school baard.
Educate others:
How to Drive Change In Your School Cafeteria - 
​A Guide for High School Students
adapted from the work of Gauri Rastogi, high school senior and CafCu Youth Advocate and intern, based on her years of advocating to eliminate styrofoam trays from her school district in MIchigan.