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Harlingen Elementary Schools Adopt New Recycling Technology to Reduce Waste
The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District’s child nutrition department has received a $30,000 grant to encourage recycling and deliver thousands of meals in a sustainable way. The department aims to reduce waste and environmental impact with new technology called Styrogenie, which will turn dirty styrofoam trays into a renewable source.
Efforts to Reduce Environmental Impact
The district’s superintendent, Alicia Noyola, comments on the positive impact the technology will have on the environment by lowering the amount of styrofoam used. She adds: “When we think about one million trays being utilized every day throughout the year, that adds (up). The impact on the environment using Styrofoam is going to be felt.”
The new technology will be available at Travis, Bowie, and Zavala elementary schools. According to the director of child nutrition for HCISD, Judy Baker, this new technology will also provide a learning opportunity for students about recycling and its impact on the environment. She says, “It’s also going to be a great learning opportunity for our students to learn about recycling, how they can empty their trays, how they’re going to stack them and how we’re going to actually produce this product to recycle for the future of our students.”
The Importance of Reducing Waste
By embracing new technologies, schools and other public organizations have the opportunity to encourage students, faculty, and staff to reduce their waste and environmental impact. Understanding the importance of reducing waste and adopting more sustainable practices is vital to protecting our planet for the future.
