Earth Resource Foundation
Youth Against Styrofoam
A project of the Campaign Against the Plastics Plague
Club Guide for School Commitment
ATTENTION CLUB OFFICERS:
As part of your enrollment in the ERF “Youth Against Styrofoam” program, your school plays an integral role in
creating the change in our community to move from a disposable society into one that is respectful of our natural
resources and eco-equity for our global community. Below is a recap of the “SCHOOL” responsibilities portion of the
“Youth Against Styrofoam” Strategy and ideas for your getting your school to pass a Styrofoam ban and move
towards Zero Waste. Please take the opportunity to be as creative and innovative as possible.
COMMITMENT TO EARTH RESOURCE: In order for Earth Resource Foundation to continue to provide resource,
workshops and personnel, it is important for us to quantify our activities and successes. We will work with you to
gather the information about your school, school inventories taken and activities chosen to eliminate Styrofoam.
Please track the above information and report to Earth Resource Foundation on a frequent basis.
Mission 08/09:
The Earth Resource Foundation (ERF) Clubs and partner clubs wish to ban Styrofoam throughout the County of
Orange by June of 2009. As a result of the harmful impact of plastic on global ecosystems, economies, and public
health, immediate action must be taken to eliminate single use throwaway plastics. Change must be established in
the consumer lifestyle through education, citizen action, and business accountability.
The purpose of this campaign is to:
 Educate public about the adverse effects of Styrofoam on the environment, our health and our economy.
 Provide ways for public to make a difference by showing them alternatives to Styrofoam which start by
practicing the threes “R’s” Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Activism!
 Utilize the existing Styrofoam bans at schools, cities and businesses and help your local school, city and
businesses implement them.
 Communicate with the public one-on-one to promote grass roots change – the ripple effect.
 Create a society which practices reduce, reuse, and recycle while setting a Zero Waste to landfill,
incineration and the environment policies.
As with any campaign, it is important to let everyone know of your intentions as early in the process as possible. So
have an informal meeting or discussion with your principal, faculty advisor, cafeteria manager to determine their
attitudes and school policies. Below is a suggested outline for your YAS school campaign, however, each school will
work at a different pace, have different champions for your program and different priorities. If is important to check in
with your faculty advisor and Earth Resource Foundation frequently to determine the best avenues and changes to
be made.
We look forward to being a partner with you for positive change in your community.
Yours in Zero Wasting, Earth Resource Foundation staff and volunteers
When working with your school, the first thing you want to do is gather the facts:
Does your school use Styrofoam? If yes, continue with the plan. If no, we can still help them develop a Zero
Waste Plan!
Schools: Environmental Education through Action
1. Sign up club to participate by emailing ERF at info@earthresource.org or calling 949-645-5163
2. Meet with ERF to go over strategy and resources (websites, research, brochures, ordinances, etc)
3. Inventory disposables at school especially the use of Styrofoam and develop a cost analysis
4. Schedule a meeting with your Principal and Cafeteria/Food Service Staff
5. Schedule a presentation by ERF YAS and your goals. The most successful presentations are when staff,
teachers, school district administration, and students are involved. ERF can assist with finding the right
contacts, invites, etc.
6. Hold informational meetings at school for students interested in supporting the cause.
7. Based on individual needs of your school, develop an action project which might include letter writing,
petitions, Days of Action, etc.
8. Celebrate your success!!!
Here is a detailed list of actions you or your club can take to get Styrofoam banned at your school:
EDUCATE:
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Host ERF for a YAS Presentation Day inviting students, faculty and administration
Keep an updated information sheet on environmental non-profit organizations
Updated list of possible events regarding plastics and Styrofoam
Provide students with a list of alternatives to Styrofoam and disposable items
Create posters on the hazards of Styrofoam and plastics
Organize a group to make an announcement during official board or district meetings during the “public
comments” section
GATHER INFORMATION:
 Take an inventory of your schools products using the ERF YAS School Inventory Sheet
 Gather the contact information for key people at your school and school district using the ERF YAS
School Contact and Interview form.
 Meet with Principal to request their help in gathering information
 Meet with Cafeteria and Operations administrators to collect cost information for purchasing and waste
hauling
GATHER SUPPORT:
 Network with other clubs at your school and local organizations
 Find faculty and administrative personnel champions for your program
 Gather signatures for the YAS School petition
 Have a letter writing event to send letters to your School Board
 Advertise events through daily announcements and bulletin
 Make a Facebook Group
 Have club members discuss what they have accomplished at their homes
DEVELOP STRATEGY AND PRESENTATION:
 Create a well-developed and informative packet for your school administrators using the information you
gathered from the school inventory and interviews:
o A list of possible alternatives: reusable, recyclable and compostable products.
o Letters and petitions
o Cost-benefit analysis to switching to environmentally friendly products and Zero Waste practices
o fact sheets against Styrofoam showcasing the adverse effects of Styrofoam to our health,
environment and economy
 Work with ERF on devising a plan for eliminating Styrofoam and working towards Zero Waste
 Choose of team of 5 to 8 students to make a presentation to your school or school district administrators
 Stay in touch with principals, administrators and officials that are head of cafeteria to keep them informed
of your progress and making a presentation
GIVE PRESENTATION AND DEVELOP FOLLOWUP ACTIONS:
 Develop a plan of action for whatever response your administrators provide (yes, no, maybe)
 Give your YAS presentation to administrators
 Send thank yous to School administrators
 Regroup with your club and ERF to determine next steps
CELEBRATE!!!
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No matter what the outcome – Celebrate because at the very least you educated a lot of people
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Have a Zero Waste party, picnic, hike, etc.