Chloe Mei Espinosa, a 7th grade Newport-Mesa Unified School District student, reached out to CUSD, after learning that students at San Clemente High School had already initiated the district to ban plastic water bottles and to phase out straws with the #PlasticFreeCUSD campaign about a year ago.
Chloe launched her website https://www.skiptheplasticstraw.com/, urging people to stop using plastic straws. Chloe took the movement a step further by reaching out to local school districts to take the pledge.
CUSD is also in the process of transitioning food packaging and utensils to compostable items. As for straws, we have not offered them at the middle or high schools for years. This summer we will replace elementary school spork and napkin kits with compostable utensils (without straws).
Chloe recently made a visit to CUSD to meet with Kristin Hilleman, Director of Food & Nutrition Services.
Read more about the #PlasticFreeCUSD campaign.