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Philly schools ditch Styrofoam trays, embrace a greener lunch option

Philadelphia's school system, moving towards a smaller carbon footprint, has long wanted to ditch Styrofoam, but it was trapped by cost: polystyrene is cheaper than the Earth-friendlier alternatives, and school food service operates on the narrowest of margins: feeding the district's 130,000 students cannot cost the operating budget fund a penny.

Philadelphia schools are ditching Styrofoam plates for school meals, a move that officials say will keep nine million lunch trays out of landfills. The new plate, shown here, is compostable.
Philadelphia schools are ditching Styrofoam plates for school meals, a move that officials say will keep nine million lunch trays out of landfills. The new plate, shown here, is compostable.Read moreCourtesy of the Urban School Food Alliance