Of course, they had to be washed after each use. This method of food service has its costs. First, the school must have the space to store and funds to buy the dishes, flatware, and dishwashing equipment. Second, it must pay for the labor involved in washing and storing the dishes. Third, there's the cost of water, chemicals, and energy expended to clean and dry the items.
Many schools now use disposable items due to cost and sanitary considerations.
Unseen costs include increased landfilling, use of nonrenewable resources, and the labor involved in collecting and transporting the trash and recyclables, not to mention the air pollution emitted by transport vehicles. There's obviously a great deal of waste in school cafeterias. The question is reusable or disposable . Challenge the class to find ways to reduce the trash. Activities Inform the students that they will observe the cafeteria trash habits of their peers during lunch periods for the next five days.