Green Tip #43
Pack an Eco-Friendly Lunch

Make an eco-lunch. Many parents rely on single-use plastic bags or single-serving items that come in their own disposable package when packing lunches. They’re convenient but at what cost?

Much of the trash generated in our homes comes from the packaging on the food we buy. According to wastefreelunches.org, each school-age child who packs a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year. Here are some guidelines for packing a waste free lunch:

 

Instead of: Aluminum foil and plastic baggies Paper napkins Plastic utensils Juice boxes Paper lunch bags

Use: Reusable containers for sandwiches & sides Cloth napkins Reusable silverware Refillable drink containers Reusable lunchbox, tote bag, or cooler