
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 13, 1990                   TAG: 9006130523
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PLASTIC FOAM PRODUCTS OUT AT SALEM SCHOOL CAFETERIAS

In response to a student protest, the Salem School Board agreed Tuesday to discontinue use of disposable plastic foam products in Salem school cafeterias.

Beginning in the 1990-91 school year, plastic foam products will be used in the six city schools only in emergency situations, such as a dishwasher breakdown. The board unanimously voted to spend $3,214 on ceramic-type plates, trays and cups, a one-time expenditure that actually could pay off not only environmentally but financially.

"We hope they will last two to three years," said Ron Wall, director of operations and vocational education. "We could save money in the long run, if we don't lose or break them."

On May 8, senior government students presented the board with a 700-name petition in support of doing away with foam products at the schools. The board agreed then to consider removing the items.

"With ecology in mind, we know that the disposal of plastic foam objects can and do cause irreparable damage to the Earth and its atmosphere," the petition read. "Plastic foam releases 57 chemicals, including carcinogenic substances. Also, plastic foam is a biodegradable material that takes up landfill space."

Two weeks later, about 40 Salem High students stayed out of class to demonstrate against the use of foam products. A dozen students were suspended for one day for their behavior during the protest - 10 for leaving school grounds and two for smoking.

Students discovered that in one month, Salem High and Andrew Lewis Middle School used 1,000 4-ounce cups, 500 6-ounce cups, 500 12-ounce cups, 2,000 16-ounce cups, 5,500 9-inch platters and 200 12-ounce bowls.

In other business, the board appointed Jerome Campbell as principal of Andrew Lewis Middle School. Campbell will move to his new position after serving one year as principal of Lucy Addison Middle School in Roanoke.

Prior to that, he was associate principal and teacher at William Fleming High School.

Campbell succeeds Lewis Campbell, who was reassigned last month to assistant principal at Salem High School.

by CNB