GOLETA - Smart school trash cans keep schools from throwing money away!
Thanks to the School Food Initiative, Central Coast Schools are serving whole, fresh foods for lunch.
Then they discovered a new problem, it's tough to eat a salad with a spork! So, the initiative stepped in again with real metal forks and really smart trash cans!
The School Food Initiative through the Orfalea Foundation bought metal utensils for all Goleta schools. They also purchased special trash cans with magnetic lids to protect the investment. The strong magnets grab the spoons and forks and hold them above the trash. Our camera captured 16 spoons and forks saved in just one day. It's like money in the school bank.
Before the new utensils, schools were literally throwing money away. Plastic sporks cost the Goleta School District more than 8 thousand dollars a year.
Students love the fancy trash cans and parents love them too. The magnetic lids are also catching a number of retainers. It's just another good save for Central Coast Schools!
Here's a smart idea shared by one Central Coast mom. If your school can't afford metal forks, have each student bring one from home to donate. Goodwill Stores and Thrift stores also sell them. Students like having a collection of unique forks. They get to use a different one each day! A fun lesson in reusing precious resources.
