Packing a Greener Lunch

I admit it. When planning my kids’ school lunches, convenience most often trumps eco-friendliness. Let’s face it. Single-serve applesauce cups, packaged snack bars and juice boxes are easily tossed into the lunch boxes on rushed mornings as the kids leave for the bus stop.

But after learning that the average student in America creates 67 pounds of lunch packaging waste per school year, I’ve decided to try packing a greener lunch. Not only will this change be better for the environment, but I’m guessing my household will also save money by eliminating those costly pre-packaged lunch items from the shopping list.


Here are some simple ways to green-up your child’s lunch (and your own!):

1. Pour drink into a reusable water bottle.
2. Pack a cloth napkin to be laundered at home.
3. Use a lunchbox. It takes one 15-year-old tree to make 700 paper lunch bags!
4. Purchase reusable containers instead of plastic baggies to hold loose items and sandwiches.
5. Pack everyday forks and spoons from home, not plastic ones.
6. Pack fruit that doesn’t need packaging: whole bananas, apples and oranges!

And finally, I’m going to do my best to pack those lunches the night before, so I’m not tempted to go back to my wasteful (albeit convenient) ways during the morning rush!