A national pilot study on reusable foodware for healthier, more sustainable schools

The Conscious Cafeteria Project is a national study of 15 elementary schools across the US, which embarked on a pilot study to switch to reusable stainless steel Ahimsa trays (and in some cases utensils) in 2024. Ahimsa, a reusable foodware company advocating for children’s health, and Upstream, a US-based non-profit and leading change agency for the reuse movement, partnered to assess the projected results of the project.

The report dives into the anticipated environmental and economic impacts of switching to Ahimsa foodware in the 15 schools, while robustly making the case for transitioning away from single-use foodware to protect children's health.

This report was funded by the Clinton Global Foundation, with Upstream as lead author and Ahimsa as lead contributor.

Projected savings assume an average of 500 students per school, using Ahimsa stainless steel reusables.