Students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa are getting a real-life in lesson in protecting the planet.

The new cafeteria at Gateway Hall is going green. Students are now using biodegradable take-out containers and utensils. There are no cafeteria trays anymore so there is less to wash, which helps to reduce water usage.

Students now have to carry all the dishes in their hands.

"We're probably saving, you know, based on some of the tests that we've seen nationwide, maybe 100 to 200 gallons of water. So if you're saving that daily, that's a big difference in the long run," said Marc Nakamoto, district manager for Sodexo, the school's food service provider.

"I definitely waste less food now because I can't hold all those plates so it's definitely working," said student Justin Pespisa.

"I think it's a really good idea because you know I've always been kind of worried about styrofoam and like what that does to the planet," said student Jessica Kowalchuk.

If the pilot project is a success, other cafeterias on campus could get rid of their trays and start using biodegradable products.

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