A zero waste discussion on edible vs. synthetic play materials

In the education field, teachers are often encouraged to use non-edible play materials in the classroom instead of edible materials.

One example is manufactured playdough versus homemade playdough, and another is manufactured plastic-based glitter versus salt. 

Running a school with an environmental focus and low-waste philosophy often causes me to ponder this topic.

This encouragement has good intentions and is a result of very important social issues we need to consider: this food could be used to feed families that are food insecure, there are different cultural beliefs regarding the use of food, and how privilege plays a part. We also need to consider the environmental issues like food waste, pollution surrounding the production and disposal of synthetic alternatives, and the contamination of the food supply when synthetic materials enter the environment.

Food waste and food insecurity

In 2018, the USDA estimated that 6.8 million children lived in households in which children, along with adults, were food insecure. That number is significant, and it’s something to keep in mind as we decide what edible materials to use in the classroom.

Going along with that, food waste is estimated at between 30 to 40 percent of the food supply, according to the FDA. In stores, food waste often happens when too much food is purchased and can’t all be sold by the sell-by date, where it is then put in dumpsters. In homes, food waste often happens when too much food is purchased and can’t be used completely before going bad. The amount of food we waste through retailers and at home could be used to feed families that are food insecure.

Changing systems where retailers are giving extra food to the community in need rather than filling their dumpsters could radically affect these food insecure households. We need to change policies in stores regarding “sell by” dates, because often the food going into dumpsters isn’t spoiled. A few ways to reduce food waste in the home is to meal plan and use the food we have before buying more.

Our society puts value on food that is farmed and sold, but what about wild food that is abundant all around us? The lawns that we mow each week are full of food we can eat: purslane, wood sorrel, dandelion, plantain and many more. Not putting this food to use isn’t culturally thought of as food waste, but it technically is.

Consider plantain and spinach for a moment. You could dye playdough with either; both are edible leaves, but using spinach is valued more than plantain. Part of this is because we put so many resources into growing food like spinach through farming, compared to plantain, which grows on its own without any extra resources. Most of us only consume spinach, so it would be considered a waste if we used it for play in the classroom, while plantain would not, even though both are valuable food sources.

To help combat food insecurity and food waste, more effort should be put into free community classes teaching how to forage and find free food in neighborhoods. Biking through my small town and in the bigger city this fall, I noticed a lot of food going to waste that could have been given to people in need. Apples, pears and plums were lying all over the ground from neighborhood trees.

In urban settings where natural spaces are not as common and low-income communities are more prevalent, we should create awareness of community fruit trees already in the city and bring in trees where there aren’t any. We should have community gardens and free community classes teaching how to forage safely to alleviate the fear surrounding it. The fruit trees, gardens and classes should be located on bus lines and close to low-income areas for easy access to free food and education.

*If you know of a fruit tree in your area that can be picked by the public, put it on the “Falling Fruit” map so others can enjoy the abundance!

Pollution

Alternatives to edible play materials are often made of synthetic materials, many being plastic-based (googly eyes, plastic beads, foam, etc.). Pollution from plastic is visible everywhere you go.

My health has been affected by plastics, which often makes me question the need for plastic and synthetic materials in my life. The chemicals that plastic leaches into food can negatively impact my endometriosis, and from witnessing Lake Superior washing up endless amounts of single-use plastics, I am concerned for the health of our whole community.

Is continuing to use these polluting materials instead of natural alternatives the best way to preserve the health of humanity, including people who are food insecure? By using food for play in the classroom, we are concerned about adding to the food waste epidemic, but what happens when we instead use synthetic materials that contaminate the food, water and air supply?

To look at this further, low-income communities are found to be more affected by pollution because they are located in places “more vulnerable to health and environmental threats than the society at large,” according to the USCCR. They also state that “race and class play significant roles in environmental decision-making; moreover, communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by siting decisions and the permitting of facilities.”

How do we make a difference reducing the amount of production and pollution in those areas if we aren’t refusing those products in the first place and finding more eco-friendly options instead? We are creating a constant demand for these products to be produced by buying and using them, not to mention that they will pollute the environment after being used.

My concern is that if we don’t change systems, we won’t change this problem. If our classrooms continue to use polluting materials, how does that affect our whole population with plastic pollution entering our food, water and air supply through the product’s whole lifespan?

My hope is to put out in the world what will positively add to it, rather than make our future generations sick. As a teacher of young children, I think a lot about their futures, of their physical, mental and emotional health and what I can do to give them a better experience in the world.

Differences in cultural beliefs

A cultural perspective is that it can be disrespectful to use food for play because it gives us life. I also believe food should be deeply respected because of this. I also want to respect and keep intact the nourishment food provides us by reducing the amount of synthetic materials my program puts out into the environment that could contaminate the food supply. After experiencing debilitating pain from endometriosis, I am acutely aware of how food and synthetic, toxic materials can negatively affect our lives. In my program, we honor food by involving the children in cooking their snacks every day, learning how to grow and harvest their own food, and foraging for food in the wild. Any leftover food is fed to our chickens, who in return provide us with eggs.

Privilege

Another important point to mention is that it is a privilege to use food as play materials. Some countries would not use food in any other way besides feeding their families because they have very limited access to food. (The thought here is that those who have enough can afford to generate waste.) This is one that hits me to my core, and one I sit with often. When possible, I will find natural alternatives to food-based play materials. For example, we use clay often from the school grounds versus making homemade playdough with flour, salt and oil, and in the sensory tubs we use sand instead of rice and small pebbles instead of beans. When I do use food for play, I try my best to make sure it can be used again for nourishment. For example, we boil beets often for colored water for painting or dyeing playdough, and I save the cooked beets for a meal. Other ways are making sure we compost any food-based materials to be used in a garden to grow more food for my family, school and community.

I won’t ever feel completely comfortable using food for play because there are many angles to look at it. As long as I am being intentional and considerate of all perspectives, I feel comfortable using it in certain circumstances. 

Here’s how I offset using food as a play material in my preschool program:

• We meal plan the snacks my school provides so there is little food waste. Any leftover food from the day is fed to our school chickens, who provide us with more food.
• We remind the children to take only what they can eat at snack time and that they are welcome to get seconds if they want more.
• We offer a community garden for families.
• We offer community composting.

Here’s how I offset within the community:

• I teach community classes on living a more low-impact life, many of them free to the public, and share my story on how plastics affect my health.
• I bring awareness to free food in my community and I am continually learning new wild foods in the area and teaching others about them.
• I teach others how to reduce food waste at home.

Future goals:

• I hope to see more classes on foraging in my community.
• I hope to bring awareness of community fruit trees where fruit is free for the taking and find ways to bring in more trees for greater access to free food.
• I hope to shed light on the food waste that happens in retail locations and help businesses find ways to give food insecure communities access to this food.