Pack a “Green” Lunch!

At my children’s school there has been so much talk recently about how to reduce lunch time trash in the cafeteria.  In keeping with my early pledge to be at least “light” green, I’ve come up with some simple changes that families can implement to at least make a small dent in that mountain of empty juice boxes and plastic bags!  And if any of the adults in your family pack a lunch, these ideas will work for them too!

Start with a Reusable Lunch Bag!

This is a fun and simple first step!  Have your children choose a lunch box that they love and will want to carry every day.  For some terrific suggestions, take a look at “Lunch Box Round Up” and if you’re shopping for yourself, I really liked the two styles offered at the Too Chic Boutique.   One features a stylish black and white zebra pattern with hot pink trim and the other is colorfully striped.  Both have easy to clean surfaces and an insulated interior. (toochicgifts.com, $16)

Reduce Your What’s Thrown Away!

It’s been estimated that the average school age child generates 67 pounds of lunch time trash each year and so here’s where we can make some big changes! (wastefreelunches.org)

Napkins

Skip the paper napkins and switch to cloth!  At litterfreelunch.com, you’ll find 100% cotton napkins with colorful stitching around the hem that are available in a set of 5 for $16.99.  Not only is this terrific for the environment, but cloth napkins in a crazy school cafeteria just sounds so very civilized! (cloth napkins pictured at top)

Food Containers

This is another area where trading aluminum foil and plastic bags can make a significant difference.  Instead of wrapping each lunch item individually in foil or plastic, tuck food away in resusable plastic containers. 

Colorful sets of lead free plastic containers in a variety of shapes and sizes are part of a fabulous lunch time system at Laptop Lunches.  Developed by two moms, (of course two moms would come up with this ingenious idea!) the system includes the containers as well as rectangular lunch boxes that can accommodate the containers, stainless steel utensils and a reusable water bottle. (laptoplunches.com, components sold individually and as sets)

Wrap -n-Mats

This also “mom-invented” product is a terrific alternative to packing a sandwich in a container.  Wrap-n-Mats are crafted with two different materials - a lead free PVC lining and a colorful fabric exterior.  When a sandwich is placed in the middle of the PVC side, the mat closes with Velcro tabs.  When opened, the mat becomes a place mat and a clean eating surface!  Wrap-n-Mats are hand wash/air dry and come in dozens of patterns for all ages. (wrap-n-mat.com, $4.99 to $6.50)

Juice Boxes and Water Bottles

Trade in juice boxes and pouches for resusable drink containers.  At Laptop Lunches, a variety of bottles are readily available, including both plastic and stainless steel versions!  Klean Kanteen is another excellent resource for stainless steel refillable bottles guaranteed to be light weight, non-toxic and  non-odor absorbing. (kleankanteen.com, prices vary)

Knowing that each day Americans throw out over 20,000,000 baggies alone should be enough to inspire us to alter the way we pack lunches for our children and ourselves!  And in addition to achieving a higher “green” status, you’ll be saving money as well!  It’s a win/win situation!

You may also enjoy:

• Backpack Bonanza
• Lunch Box Round Up
• Have a Fabulous First Day of School
• Let’s Talk About Halloween!

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