So while the lunchable, pre-fab meals would solve these problems, I just can't do it. They're a crime, in my opinion, both nutritionally and environmentally. They're over-packaged and over-salted. So what's a lunch-packing person to do?
Consider the average elementary school lunch. If you're lucky your kid uses a reusable lunch bag. But there is where many, if not most of the waste reduction stops. Plastic baggies for sandwiches, ziploc baggies for snacks, individual containers of applesauce or raisins, plastic spoons, paper napkins; does any of this sound familiar? The amount of food that gets tossed each day is bad enough, but the packaging that goes into the trash with it is cringe-worthy. Yes, those disposables are convenient, and on field-trip days there's just no getting around them, but on a day-to-day basis, we can do better.
That brings me to the next Green Homes Challenge:
No disposables in our or our kids' lunches!
We can do it! I promise!
The key is making it easy. And with a little effort out front, it is. Green Homes has found some lunch containers that virtually eliminate your need for disposables.
You can buy 'lunch kits' that have compartments for all the different food groups, or you can buy loads of reusable plastic containers in varying sizes. Here are a couple places to find them:
The key is making it easy. And with a little effort out front, it is. Green Homes has found some lunch containers that virtually eliminate your need for disposables.
You can buy 'lunch kits' that have compartments for all the different food groups, or you can buy loads of reusable plastic containers in varying sizes. Here are a couple places to find them:
http://order.tupperware.com/pls/htprod_www/tup_show_item.show_item_detail?fv_item_category_code=21808&fv_item_number=P10055361000
Your classic Tupperware - never goes out of style!
Aren't they cute??
Locally, Healthy Green Goods on Main Street in Evanston carries the laptop lunch kits featured above.
So buy a couple kits, fill up the compartments, and send a cloth napkin and real silverware with their lunch. It's easy, it virtually eliminates any waste and maybe it'll catch on in your school cafeteria. Most importantly, bring your kids into the process. Tell them we're trying to have zero waste. Maybe ask them to challenge their friends to do the same. Remember, when you throw something away, there is no away. It goes somewhere!
So buy a couple kits, fill up the compartments, and send a cloth napkin and real silverware with their lunch. It's easy, it virtually eliminates any waste and maybe it'll catch on in your school cafeteria. Most importantly, bring your kids into the process. Tell them we're trying to have zero waste. Maybe ask them to challenge their friends to do the same. Remember, when you throw something away, there is no away. It goes somewhere!
Small steps. Big impact.
Good luck!
4 comments:
Thank you! I went to Target to find some sort of container to fit all the components of my kids lunches and couldn't find anything with compartments. I try and wash and dry the baggies everyday, but truthfully, I forget.
So glad to have found some options and where I can purchase them!
Oh, man. I want one of those laptop lunchboxes. All those little separated sections? Ach.
--Ellie
I do the same for my kids every morning. 3 lunches!
I use and reuse little plastic Glad/Ziploc containers and stuff them in their lunch boxes. If they crack I recycle them.
For their field trips I use paper bags and wax paper to wrap their sandwiches.
Robert
I packed my kids laptop lunchboxes for the first time today - how fun! They are both really excited to use these - I hope they go over well! They are a 'hot item' at this particular school, so I'm hoping they'll come home with lots of ideas for what they want in the little containers. My boy will be the tough one, he is a great eater but picky about temperatures and textures (hey, so is Ellie!) I'm thinking about doing sushi rolls with him....
Jacquie
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