Arlington Public Schools is taking another step toward reducing waste with the introduction of reusable trays at Gibbs School and reusable utensils at multiple elementary schools.
This initiative was made possible through a $9,500 MassDEP Reduce, Reuse, Repair MicroGrant, secured by Sustainability Project Manager Rachel Oliveri and Food Services Director Denise Boucher, with additional support from the Town of Arlington Recycling Coordinator Charlotte Milan. The grant supports efforts to reduce single-use items in school cafeterias while creating more sustainable systems for everyday school operations.
For students, the change is a simple one, but it makes a noticeable difference during a busy school day. At Gibbs, students have already embraced the new reusable trays. Feedback from students highlighted that the trays feel sturdier, offer more space during meals, and help reduce the amount of single-use food ware generated during lunch periods.
Student engagement is a key part of this effort through the school’s Lunch Leaders program, a volunteer opportunity open to all Gibbs students. During the final minutes of lunch, Lunch Leaders help sort trash and compost, stack trays, and support waste reduction efforts across the cafeteria. Lunch Leaders also assist with weekly weighing and charting of food waste to track how much organic waste is diverted from incineration through composting and to help generate ideas for reducing waste.
The grant also helped launch reusable utensils at Peirce Elementary and Stratton Elementary, expanding their use beyond Gibbs and Dallin Elementary, reducing reliance on disposable items and reinforcing sustainability practices across APS schools. Reusable utensils will be rolled out to the remaining elementary schools throughout the rest of the school year.
By integrating sustainability into daily routines like lunchtime, APS aims to help students see how small changes can have a big environmental impact. These efforts not only reduce waste and the cost of single-use materials, but also provide hands-on learning opportunities that empower students to take an active role in caring for their school community and the environment.
This work supports APS Strategic Priority #3, which focuses on sustainability, operational responsibility, and creating systems that help students learn through real-world experiences.
APS thanks Rachel Oliveri, Denise Boucher, and Charlotte Milan for their leadership and collaboration in bringing this initiative to life and continuing to expand sustainability efforts across the district.