Single-Use Plastics at School Events

One of the best places to start an environmental action project is within our schools. With banners, streamers, balloons and more, schools’ events are filled with single-use plastics. As we know, plastics, as a whole, have a large negative impact on the environment, as they ultimately end up in our oceans and food. However, there is more to it. The production of plastic has an immense carbon footprint. Getting your school to stop using single use plastics at its events can be very impactful.

Given the current situation, your school probably isn’t hosting any in-person events, which makes it a perfect time to create a detailed plan that you can propose to your school when we begin to go to school events in person again.

A great place to start would be to find alternatives to items typically used at school events. Ideally, you want to find something that is in the same price range as the original item. When your school sees that the environmentally friendly option is the same price as the original item, they will likely be more open to switching. It is also important for the product to be easily accessible and in bulk.

Once you have compiled a list of environmentally friendly items, propose it to your school’s event organizing committee, and explain the significance of switching from single-use plastics to more environmentally friendly options.

Here is a list of single-use plastics used in events that you can try to find alternatives for:

• Banners

• Streamers

• Balloons

• Tablecovers

• Plates

• Utensils

• Cups