Whether at work or school, we are slaves to that mortal need to consume food as soon as our stomachs tell us it’s mid-day. Sometimes we can’t get through all the packaging fast enough for our expectant taste buds or eager bellies.
The problem with eating a meal away from home, however, is that garbage cans get fed too. Packaged lunches create an enormous amount of waste with a cumulative effect over weeks, months and years.
According to one estimate, a single student generates on average 67 pounds of waste per year through disposable lunches. An average elementary school could thus end up creating over 18,700 pounds of waste per school year.
The biggest obstacle to waste-free lunches is single-serving, packaged items. ‘Lunchables’ may be fast, easy and convenient, but they’re definitely not green. Plastic sandwich bags, aluminum foil, and plastic utensils all aid and abet needless lunchtime wastefulness. How can we change these hard-to-break habits and create zero waste at noon?
Creating a Waste-Free Lunch
- The Right Mindset. First, you must begin with the right mindset. Decide that you’re going to start a waste-free lunch regimen and stick to your plan. After getting use to it, it will become second nature, even when preparing lunches too late at night or too early in the morning to be fully awake. Human nature tends to lead us to the lazy, easiest solution in a given situation. Admittedly, waste-free lunches may take more planning and extra time or effort at first. Just pack something yummy (and waste-free) in your lunch as a reward!
- Reusable Food Containers. Second, supply to your waste-free arsenal enough reusable food containers in a few different sizes. Get containers with good, tight-fitting lids that seal properly and won’t leak. This way, your lunch can have variety, not just those irresistible peanut butter and jam sandwiches.
- Fight Temptation. To deal with the temptation that may exist to reach for the plastic wrap or plastic sandwich bags, don’t stock your cupboards with these items. If they’re available, you just may end up using them. Keep in mind that sealing food in plastic wrap is not a healthy choice. Make sure reusable containers are brought home each day by respective family members and that they’re washed and ready to use. As an alternative, clear plastic milk bags can be cut along the tops and make very sturdy food bags, both washable and highly reusable.
- Green Coffee. If coffee is a staple for your lunchtime meal, get a quality thermos and brew your own at home to take with you. Use a reusable bottle to bring drinks instead of cans of pop or juice boxes.
- Washable Napkins. Use a washable cloth napkin instead of paper napkins and bring along a stainless steel fork or spoon instead of plastic utensils.
- Buy in Bulk. Buy in bulk quantities, then transfer individual amounts of food to reusable containers. Buying a large container of yogurt, for example, will reduce waste, and save money too, compared to buying little yogurt cups.
- Always Reusable. Use washable, reusable cloth lunch bags or lunch boxes instead of plastic or paper bags.
Waste-free lunches are the best way to reduce garbage: by not creating any in the first place. It’s healthier, cheaper and definitely attainable for everyone. So, go ahead and enjoy your lunch – oh, and don’t forget to bring that apple core and banana peel home for the compost bin!
