More News

Milk does a body good, but it wasn't doing the environment any favors packaged in non-recyclable cardboard cartons, according to Montgomery County Public Schools.

The school system introduced recyclable plastic milk containers in September, and the environmentally friendly bottles have been a hit with students.

"Quite honestly, the milk tastes better," said Kathy Lazor, director of food and nutrition services for MCPS. "The milk in the carton has a certain flavor, and even though it's the same temperature, the bottle feels colder."

Milk cartons cannot be recycled because the cardboard is coated with a thin layer of plastic, according to the county's Web site.

The bottles hold 8 fluid ounces of milk, same as the cardboard cartons, and sell for the same amount — 60 cents, Lazor said. MCPS sold an average of 75,900 bottles of milk a day in October, a 9 percent increase from the 69,670 averaged last year, she said.

"It's been a great success so far," said Hillary Kirchman, program manager of MCPS's School Energy & Recycling Team. "It's attractive packaging, and the kids like new things like that. It's a novelty, it's exciting."

New "dumping stations" where students can pour out excess liquid have been placed next to cafeteria recycling bins at some schools. According to SERT's Web site, 4 percent of MCPS's trash, more than 450 tons a year, is liquid, and the contents of recycling bins contaminated by spilt liquids or food must be thrown out.

The new bottles are part of a broader push to increase recycling within the school system, Kirchman said. The school system recycles between 27 percent and 30 percent of its waste, and officials hope to bring that figure to 36 percent this year, she said. The school system is required by the county to recycle 50 percent of solid waste, according to MCPS's Web site.

MCPS has also started a recycling campaign called "Give Me Ten!" that encourages schools to increase recycling by 10 percent this year. Schools that recycle 36 percent of waste or more and schools that show a substantial increase in recycling are eligible for rewards that range from $1,000 for high schools to $500 for elementary schools, according to SERT's Web site.

"The kids are really great at recycling. It comes naturally to them," Kirchman said. "For adults, it's a little harder."