Bringing lunch with you to school or work is a great way to eat better and save money. While there are many benefits to packing your own lunch there is one major environmental concern: single use disposable packaging generates significant amounts of waste.

Why is it so important and what can we do to reduce lunch waste?

Taking the time to pack healthy lunches without disposable packaging addresses concerns about the environment and childhood nutrition, and it's easier on your wallet. For example, yogurt in single-serving containers requires a third more packaging than one large container—not only do you pay for the extra packaging, but it adds up to extra waste.

What does “Building a Zero Waste Lunch” mean? 

Simply put, to make a lunch that generates no (or very little) trash. In a zero waste lunch everything can be eaten, reused, or recycled.  Here are some tips to help get you started:

• Use a reusable insulated bag or lunch box instead of a brown paper bag, to hold your child’s lunch every day. A reusable ice pack can be used to keep perishable food items cold.

• Use reusable plastic containers that can be washed and used over and over instead of using disposable plastic sandwich bags for sandwiches and snacks.

• Use a thermos or reusable jug instead of a bottle of soda or a juice box.

• Use metal silverware or wash plastic utensils and reuse them instead of plastic utensils that are used once and thrown away.

• Buy in bulk and pack individual servings in reusable containers.

• Use cloth napkins that can be washed and reused instead of using paper napkins or paper towels.

Regardless of whether it’s basic peanut butter and jelly or something more elaborate on the menu, the first two ingredients of a low waste-lunch are a reusable lunch container and a refillable bottle.

 What does it cost to pack a waste-free lunch?  

a disposable lunch                                            a waste-free lunch

723.60 - 477.00 = $246.60 savings per school year per person

What does a waste-free lunch look like? 

Packing a waste-free lunch may take a bit more time and creativity but, given the environmental benefits, it's well worth the extra effort. Here are some tips for making it work:

 Pack lunches the night before and store them in the refrigerator overnight.

Maximize leftovers. Prepare extra servings at dinnertime for the next day's lunches. Pack the leftovers in lunchboxes in the evening when you're doing your regular dinner clean up.

Keep fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutritious foods on hand.      Keep nuts and dried fruit on hand for emergencies.

·         Consider purchasing a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share or shop at the farmers' market.

·         Write your name on all your containers before you leave the house.

Schools: What Can Schools Do To Reduce Lunch Waste?

Start local! Start a waste-free lunch program at your school. Many schools across the country have begun to do so, and they're truly making a difference!

Talk to students, parents, and teachers about the benefits of packing a waste-free lunch. Post signs in the lunch area and send informative notices home to families. Get students, parents, teachers, and administrators involved. If possible, schedule a field trip to the landfill or recycling facility so students will understand where their trash goes.

Perform a trash audit to find out what's in your trash. Is your trash made up of mostly food waste or packaging waste? Does it contain compostables or recyclables? If so, how can these be diverted? Is the bulk of the trash coming from home or from the school lunch program? What changes will help reduce the amount of waste headed for the landfill?

Start a waste-free lunch program at your school: http://www.wastefreelunches.org/

Helpful hints for school cafeterias:

• Offer food rather than serve everyone the same so that less food ends up in the trash.
• Use recyclable or compostable trays and utensils rather than one time use ones that are thrown away.
• Start a vermicomposting (with worms) or composting program on your school site. You can compost almost all of your food waste except for fats, oils, meats, cheeses and dairy products.

Help your school to save money!

 Finally, waste-free lunch programs help schools reduce waste hauling fees by reducing the amount of trash they send to the landfill. If every American child attending a public elementary school packed a waste-free lunch, 1.2 billion pounds of lunch waste would be diverted from landfills each year. The money saved could be spent on educational programs instead. Landfills would last longer, and children would learn the importance of protecting the planet. So, if you're doing lunch this school year, make sure it's waste-free!

www.newdream.org/marketplace/linch.php
www.wastefreelunches.org
www.sustainableisgood.com/blog/2009/05/zerowasteschoollunch.html