The cardboard trays cost $0.09 each and the red plastic reusable trays cost only $3.50 each. According to Richardson, the cafeteria serves an average of 514 lunches per day which translates to approximately $51.50 in styrofoam trays everyday.
Is polystyrene cheap or expensive?
Styrofoam is ridiculously cheap, much less expensive than alternative to-go cups and containers. Its commercial cost is due to its lightweight composition – Styrofoam is mostly made out tiny pellets of #6 plastic* and air, which makes it very light and easy to ship.
How much do biodegradable lunch trays cost?
Biodegradable School Lunch Trays and Compostable Food Trays and Boats
| Product | Viv Price | $ Each |
|---|---|---|
| 10×7.5×3″ (48 oz) Fiber Tray, 3-Compt | $82.99 | $0.28 |
| 8.3 x 4.8 x .65″ Tray | $58.64 | $0.12 |
| 8.3 x 4.8 x .65″ Tray PLA Lined | $90.06 | $0.18 |
| 8.2 x 5.7 x .65″ Tray | $66.65 | $0.13 |
How long do reusable lunch trays last?
There’s no good answer. Yeung says a typical deli container will easily last a few months if you treat it “relatively gently.” The Ziploc brand of containers has a five- to 10-year shelf life as long as you use them as recommended and they “remain in good condition,” according to a company spokeswoman.
How much do plastic trays cost?
According to the quality of plastic, durability value, layer settings, these trays are available at different rates in the market. From $2.05 to $9.51 is the average price range of these trays.
What are lunch trays made out of?
The polystyrene used in traditional lunch trays is a petroleum-based plastic that won’t break down for hundreds of years. When the trays end up in landfills — and 225 million of them do every year — they leeches pollutants into the water and air, according to the group.
Why is polystyrene so cheap?
What happens to Styrofoam in landfill?
of styrofoam in a landfill around 500 years. One common estimate is that styrofoam can take up 30 percent of the space in some landfills. Once in the landfill, it does not decompose quickly. Some estimates put the lifespan of styrofoam in a landfill around 500 years, and some put it way beyond that.
Why should schools use reusable trays?
Reusable trays should be implemented into the cafeteria because they are more cost-effective and are better for the environment. Plastic trays would greatly reduce the amount of waste produced by the school each day. Based on those numbers, the trays would pay for themselves in almost 40 days.
What are biodegradable trays?
Natural Fiber biodegradable and compostable trays made from renewable sugarcane. Petroleum Free. Sugarcane trays are strong, microwavable, refrigerator and freezer safe, impermeable and non-toxic. Perfect eco-friendly complement to your green events, meetings, cafeterias, trade shows, festivals, fairs, & catering.
How often are styrofoam lunch trays thrown away?
In New York City public schools alone, 850,000 styrofoam trays are used each school day and then thrown away. Often the trays are incinerated. Styrofoam lunch trays are by no means an environmentally friendly product.
Are there any compostable lunch trays for schools?
To address the cost issues involved with washing the trays, volunteer programs have been set up, enlisting the help of students and parents. Other schools are trialing compostable lunch trays made from bagasse, which is a waste product associated with sugar cane processing.
Which is more expensive bagasse or styrofoam trays?
While the cost of bagasse trays is decreasing, they are still quite a bit more expensive than styrofoam; so some schools undertake fundraisers to help buy the trays. While a couple of cents extra per tray doesn’t sound like much, start multiplying that by thousands of meals a week and the costs really add up.
Why are styrofoam trays used in schools?
The reason for the switch is usually down to costs. It’s cheaper at this point to use the expanded polystyrene trays than to wash the reusable variety. In New York City public schools alone, 850,000 styrofoam trays are used each school day and then thrown away. Often the trays are incinerated.
