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As the school year winds down, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned through our work to support the transition to reusable foodware in school meal programs across East Hawaiʻi Island. Launched in February 2025 with support from an EPA Pollution Prevention (P2) grant, this project focuses on developing a clear, actionable plan to help East Hawaiʻi schools transition to reusable foodware systems.

Our research revealed that DOE (Department of Education) schools in East Hawaiʻi —excluding charter and private schools— use over 2 million disposable trays or clamshell containers each year. This staggering volume highlights both the environmental impact of single-use foodware and the opportunity for systemic change.

In conversations with DOE school representatives, one clear insight emerged: the only reuse model they were open to exploring was a service-based model operated by an external, reuse service provider. In this system, clean reusable trays or containers would be delivered to schools, collected after use, and washed at a centralized facility managed by the reuse service provider. This approach removes the need for schools to install and manage dishwashing infrastructure themselves and offers the potential for broader participation across campuses.

This model aligns with the goals of the Hilo Reusable Foodware Program, which is being developed to serve institutions, businesses, and schools through centralized washing and logistics. By integrating schools into this broader community-based system, we can create economies of scale and make reuse more accessible.

That said, significant barriers remain. DOE schools purchase disposable items through annual contracts awarded to a single vendor, while waste hauling is managed separately by the State's Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS). As a result, any cost savings from reduced waste don’t directly impact the budget allocated for feeding students. Within this current structure, reuse is likely not yet cost-competitive.

Charter schools, while often more enthusiastic about reuse, face different hurdles—most lack kitchen facilities and rely on off-site meal providers. Still, we’ve seen inspiring examples: (1) Connections Public Charter School in Hilo transitioned to reusables after a kitchen renovation made dishwashing possible and (2) Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts and Sciences (HAAS) in Pāhoa prepares all meals from scratch despite limited resources, and is now exploring compostable paper trays as a next step in reducing their waste footprint, since they currently lack the infrastructure to support a reusable foodware system.

This summer, we'll be working to identify schools in the Hilo area interested in transitioning to reuse as part of the community-wide reuse program. These efforts are setting the stage for long-term systems change that reflects both community priorities and our shared responsibility to care for our ʻāina.

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