Congress has more important issues to face, but U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree was right to question a decision by House leaders to cancel a green initiative underway in the congressional cafeteria.

Calling the cafeteria’s biodegradable cups and utensils expensive and inadequate, Republicans arranged to switch back to plastic knives, forks and spoons, and polystyrene foam cups.

Republican House members may have zero tolerance for flimsy paper cups, but it’s short-sighted to abandon this effort to reduce waste and pollution. As Pingree said this week, it sends a terrible message.

She has joined with other Democrats to appeal the decision. In a letter to Republican leaders, they note that polystyrene use is clogging landfills and littering the countryside with persistent and potentially hazardous compounds. Many fast food chains now provide more environmentally friendly food containers, and Congress should do the same.

The Republican behind the change, Rep. Dan Lundgren, chairman of the House Administration Committee, is reportedly considering other options, like durable utensils that can be washed and re-used.

Perhaps there is hope that the controversy will lead to a job-creating and environmentally friendly compromise: An old-fashioned cafeteria with real dinnerware and dishwashers.

Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.