North Shore School District Hosts Second Annual Plastic-Free Lunch Day
Nassau County, NY, April 9, 2025 – In celebration of Earth Day and in support of sustainability education, the North Shore School District is proud to announce its second consecutive Plastic-Free Lunch Day, taking place on April 25, 2025. This district-wide event will involve students across all grade levels and serves as an opportunity to highlight the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
Plastic-Free Lunch Day, originally launched in New York City by Cafeteria Culture and supported locally by the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor (CSHH), encourages schools to reduce single-use plastics in their lunch programs. The event underscores the power of community collaboration in promoting environmental awareness and action.
The North Shore School District is proud to celebrate this day as an opportunity to raise awareness about plastic pollution and support environmentally conscious habits among students. Food Service Director Alan Levin worked closely with both students and staff to design cafeteria menus that minimize the use of plastic packaging. In addition, students will take part in classroom activities and peer-led campaigns throughout the week, with some efforts focusing on promoting the district’s state-of-the-art water refill stations to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles.
Superintendent Chris Zublionis shared, “We are proud to continue the momentum from last year’s district-wide Plastic-Free Lunch Day. This year’s event will be the highlight of a week-long Earth Day celebration, giving students hands-on opportunities to explore sustainability. It’s inspiring to see our educators and school leaders champion these efforts, and we’re excited to see how students take the lead.”
Michelle Lapinel McAllister, Programs Director for the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, added, “Partnering with the North Shore School District for Plastic-Free Lunch Day is a natural extension of our CSHH Junior Ambassador program. It empowers young people to take action on plastic pollution and helps develop the next generation of environmental stewards.”
Plastic-Free Lunch Day is a meaningful reminder of the shared responsibility we all have in protecting the planet. Through this collective effort, the North Shore School District continues to foster a culture of environmental responsibility while empowering students to be advocates for change.
For more information, please contact:
Lisa Cashman Associate Director
Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor info@thecshh.org coalitiontosavehempsteadharbor.org
Shelly Newman North Shore Central School District newmans@northshoreschools.org northshoreschools.org
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About CSHH: Founded in 1986, CSHH has worked to identify and eliminate environmental threats in and around Hempstead Harbor. Its mission is to restore the harbor to its full ecological potential while promoting sustainable practices that protect the surrounding communities.
The CSHH Junior Ambassadors (CJA) program provides volunteer and educational opportunities for children ages 5–18. Learn more at coalitiontosavehempsteadharbor.org/junior-ambassadors.