It was a cold day, but the students from Prosser Middle School in Chicago were sorting through the waste when they found that their school produces 1,500 pounds every day.
Prosser is just one school that throws out nearly 4,000 meal trays every day. Counting all of Chicago’s public schools, the number comes to nearly a quarter of a million a day. That’s more than 1 million a week and about 5 million a month.
“None of the trays are being recycled,” said a teacher. “ Everyone agrees that it’s very bad.”
Luckily, concerns about the environment and health have made some US cities take action. Dozens of schools have begun programs to reduce the use of food trays in school.
These schools have also banned (禁止)some fast food, including McDonald’s. Instead, they offer students recyclable trays. They encourage students to sort out lunchroom waste, then wash and recycle milk cartons and trays . So far, the program has helped schools to save a total of 820,000 trays each week.
Jay Stream Middle School in Illinois teaches its students how to collect trays. The school has cut its lunchroom waste by two thirds now that students recycle their used trays instead of breaking them.
Prosser Middle School also sees the benefits of the program. Students have organized about 20 clubs and volunteer activities to cut down on cafeteria garbage. They now recycle 80 percent of the school waste. “ I joined the club,” said Erika Santana, a 16-year-old junior in Prosser, “because I want to make Earth a better place.”

Did Prosser Middle School create much garbage every day before the program ?
How many meal trays do public schools in Chicago throw out a day?
What does Jay Stream Middle School teach its students to do?
Who joined the club?
What’s the passage about ?