A quiet revolution is reshaping school cafeterias across 17 U.S. states. Compostable packaging, once a niche solution, is now finding its way into the hands of K-12 students thanks to a partnership between Eco-Products and DNO Produce.
At the center of the move is a new molded fiber cup and plant-based lid, crafted for one purpose — to serve fresh, pre-cut fruit and vegetables in a sustainable way.
Compostable Packaging Gains Ground
DNO, an Ohio-based fresh produce distributor, teamed up with Eco-Products to tackle two challenges at once:
Rising demand for pre-portioned food
The urgent need to cut plastic waste in schools
The result?
A 4-ounce molded fiber base, certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), paired with a plant-based lidding film that meets ASTM compostability standards. It’s not just biodegradable — it’s designed to vanish safely into commercial composting systems.
A Smart Response to Post-Pandemic Demands
Staff shortages and hygiene concerns have pushed schools toward individually packaged food. DNO’s pre-portioned produce removes the burden of washing, chopping, and packaging from understaffed cafeteria teams.
Now, thanks to compostable packaging, that convenience doesn’t come at an environmental cost.
Alex DiNovo, President of DNO, called the packaging “the culmination of a multi-year effort.” He added, “COVID-19 shifted how schools serve food. We saw a chance to change not just the packaging — but the impact it leaves behind.”
Eco-Products Steps Up
Eco-Products is no stranger to tackling foodservice waste. Known for supplying compostable food containers to restaurants and institutions, the company has now extended its mission into the education sector.
Wendell Simonson, Eco-Products’ Marketing Director, noted that this partnership reflects a mutual commitment to doing things differently. “This isn’t just about a cup and a lid. It’s about rethinking school packaging from the ground up.”
What Does This Mean for Schools?
Here’s what school districts get from this compostable packaging solution:
- School districts acquire these benefits from the installation of compostable packaging solution
- Convenience: No need for in-house prep of fruits and vegetables Compliance:
- Meets compostability standards and waste-reduction goals The clear sustainability steps can be clearly communicated to both parents and students through visual presentation.
- The investment into compostable packaging allows schools to save more money by participating in the composting process.
- The question marks whether school districts will establish enough composting facilities to match incoming demand.
But there’s a question still in play: Will composting infrastructure in these school districts catch up with demand?
A Broader Push for Change
DNO’s FRESHEALTH line already serves thousands of students daily. With compostable packaging now part of the equation, more schools could join the shift toward eco-friendly food service.
The initiative reaches beyond the establishment of sustainable lunch serving systems. Setting students on the path of developing sustainable practices at an early stage will influence their future perspectives about packaging waste and food consumption.
Educational institutions along with foodservice businesses and sustainability professionals now have actual chances to create sustainable unified solutions. Because compostable packaging continues to become more widely available and production-capable schools are now well-placed to demonstrate how sustainability practices can seamlessly fit within the everyday routines of people. The widespread choice of compostable cups instead of plastic ones by students in thousands of schools creates a significant impact as a change agent.
Will this movement accelerate nationwide? The change depends significantly on upcoming decisions regarding policy structures and infrastructure developments along with budget allocations. The partnership represents more than providing packaging solutions because it marks the beginning of an intelligent and environmentally friendly school ecosystem.