Salinas school working to eliminate food waste

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Students at Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary School will soon see their plastic lunch utensils replaced with a more environmentally-friendly option.

The Alisal Union School District has bought metal sporks that can be re-used at lunch time.

It is part of a pilot project that aims to eliminate as much food waste as possible. That includes putting leftover milk in a "milk waste" bin. District officials said this is the only school in Monterey County with this program.

"It was very well-received by the students. They thought it was very classy and fancy that they got these metal sporks, and now they know only to take it if they need it," said Director of Nutritional Services Irene Vargas.

The solid waste authority partnering with the district said they plan to bring the program to other districts in the future.