Packing Tips for a Waste-Free Lunch

August 23, 2023

Send your kids to school with a lunch that’s good for them and good for the planet.

Download the infographic here.

Did you know?

• 50 percent of plastics get tossed in the trash after just one use
• Less than 14 percent of plastic packaging gets recycled
• Almost 20 billion plastic bottles get thrown away every year

Ditch the disposable lunch bag

• Try a lightweight, stainless steel lunch box or a washable cloth or natural fiber bag.
• An insulated lunch tote made from recycled plastic bottles is another alternative.

Store food in reusable containers

• Avoid plastic chemicals by choosing stainless steel or glass instead. Tip: check with your child’s school about a glass policy.

Pour water in a refillable bottle

• Use filtered water from home or have kids to refill from the drinking fountain. Disposable straws? Who needs them!
• If you choose to use one, select reusable stainless steel straws.

Skip single-serving, packaged foods

• Buy foods such as carrot sticks, yogurt and snack items in bulk, and portion them yourself in reusable food containers.

Pack cloth napkins and reusable silverware

Compost food scraps

• Encourage your kids to bring home banana peels, apple cores and unfinished food scraps to compost in your back yard.

Recycle, recycle, recycle!

• In a pinch, choose recyclable food storage items like aluminum foil.

Download the infographic here.

Brought to you by Healthy Child Healthy World in partnership with U•Konserve.