About Plastic Free Lunch day
Delaware's First Plastic Free Lunch Day
On May 7, 2025, we launched Delaware's first Plastic Free Lunch Day where school cafeterias, local businesses, and individuals prepared and served a lunch either with as little plastic as possible. Inspired by the impact of the organization Cafeteria Culture and students of NY City, 6th graders from Maurice Pritchett Academy, led by their science teacher Ms. Karen Eller, conducted a school lunch waste audit to understand their waste load. They spearheaded Plastic Free Lunch Day in their school educating and running an awareness campaign, gaining support from administrators and staff to implement several changes for Plastic Free Lunch Day. The students then conducted a follow up audit on PFLD to understand the impact. These students showed great leadership and the potential all schools and businesses alike have to reduce plastic waste. Will your school or business join us in building awareness around plastic waste and pollution by committing to the Plastic Free Lunch Day?
Photo: Students at Maurice Pritchett Academy dive into a waste audit to learn how to reduce what is sent to the landfill.
Why Plastic Free Lunch Day?
- Plastic waste pollution is a global crisis polluting our soil, water and air
- Plastics breakdown into tiny particles called microplastics and can be found in animals, the food we eat, and in all parts of the human body and is linked to health problems including heart disease and cancer
- Schools in the U.S. serve over 7 billion lunches a year much of which contain single use plastics.
- Delaware schools need to prepare for SB51 changes going in effect on July 1, 2025
- Schools are a great place to practice living plastic free and educating about reducing plastic use
Learn More
- Check out Cafeteria Culture's website and learn about their efforts to reduce NY City's plastic waste through reduction and legislation
- Join Plastic Free Delaware for the screening of Microplastic Madness a documentary created by Cafeteria Culture (see schedule below)
- Learn tips and activities to get your students involved in Plastic Free Lunch Day
- Email us to find out more for participating in Plastic Free Lunch Day on November 19, 2025
Microplastic madness screenings
School Day off Screening Schedule
- No screenings currently scheduled
Screen at your school
We can bring a screening of Microplastic Madness to your class or school. Send us a message and we will work with you to coordinate.
