Board of Education
Howard County Public School System
10910 Route 108
Ellicott City, MD 21042
December 3rd, 2012
To: Board of Education of
the Howard County School System
We, the undersigned
school staff, students and community members respectfully request that the
school system replace polystyrene (styrofoam) school lunch trays with
biodegradable sugar-cane pulp trays and that the sugar-cane pulp trays be
composted along with school food waste.
The polystyrene trays the
school system currently uses pose risks to the environment and to the health of
our community. The main material in the tray has been identified as a possible
human carcinogen and found to cause a number of negative health effects. Polystyrene
trays cannot be recycled so they cause a buildup in landfills; about 870,000
tons are disposed of annually.
By composting trays and
food waste in all Howard County Public Schools, the system has the potential to
save up to $358,000. Thus, we see this change as beneficial and feasible and
urge the Board to implement it swiftly.