Eskilstuna municipality is replacing porcelain plates with plastic ones in all its schools. The project began as a pilot and should be complete by 2026.
School meal director Björn Eriksson said both staff and students reacted positively. He noted noise levels dropped in dining halls.
Plastic plates last about four years. Porcelain plates typically last five years before disposal.
When plastic plates need replacement, they go back to the manufacturer. The company grinds them down and makes new plates from the same material.
This system is called green loop. It was developed in Eskilstuna.
Peter Wall leads Mälarplast AB, the company handling the process. He said many checks are needed because the plastic contacts food.
Each plate gets a unique mark. This lets the company track its history and confirm the plastic is food-safe.
Wall advised people not to worry about EU-made plastic food products. He said EU standards are very high.
He stressed the importance of knowing their plastic is used for new plates. This makes the system closed and secure.
But is combining food and plastic truly beneficial?
Wall said they conducted many tests and investigations. They needed to ensure no harmful substances leach when plastic is reused.
He claimed plastic plate recycling cuts the carbon footprint by about 80% compared to porcelain. This helps Eskilstuna meet its environmental goals.
Kjula School has used plastic plates for about eighteen months. Staff notice a difference in the dining hall.
At first, children found it unfamiliar. Now they notice the noise level is lower.
The switch shows how practical concerns like noise can drive change, even when the environmental benefits require careful verification of safety in food contact materials.
A video shows the full process of how plates get new life. It follows the process from start to finish.