Day 24 - 31 Days to a Greener, Healthier Life

Pack an eco-friendly lunch!

What:  America goes through an estimated 100 billion plastic bags each year - that's 360 bags annually for each of us.  If people kept packing their lunch in plastic, how much more waste can we contribute? Making small green choices should start with each one, so why not start with the selection of the lunch box? With the growing concern of lead & BPA in products and the urgent call to reduce, reuse and recycle, some manufacturers have offered some viable alternatives to packing a safe, lead-free, BPA-free, reusable material lunch for both adults and children. Today, eco lunch boxes are the rage! We can find eco lunch boxes that are made from materials like non-PVC acrylic, organic cotton and canvas. They're available in fun shapes and are easy to clean up as well.

Why:  Think about this: if you cooked a little extra the night before and bring it for lunch, you reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating the travel time to get lunch, the energy used in the preparation of the meal at the fast food chain, and the waste created in the food packaging. Food packaging may seem convenient, but individually wrapped food actually create mountains of waste & they will use up valuable resources. Packing a green lunch will not only will this save you money, but you'll also be helping the environment by reducing waste and energy.

How: 

• Before you buy a lunch container labeled eco-friendly, check your kitchen cabinets. Most of us have a lot of stuff (mostly containers) stored away in your kitchen. See what you already have that might make a great lunch container.
• Choose reusable or environmentally friendly containers, utensils, napkins, and plates. Use real silverware, not plastic throwaways, and cloth napkins for your lunch.
• For snacks, use reusable snack bags. There are lots of great snack bags online and in stores, from very cheap to great looking. They even have fun designs for kids too!
• Use stainless steel or lead-free reusable bottles/containers for water and juices. Make healthy drinks at home such as lemonade, juice or iced tea, and fill your reusable bottle with something different each day.
• Include healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, berries, and fresh juices like mango or strawberry. If  you're preparing lunch for your kids, include them in snack preparation so they understand the health benefits.
• Use a sandwich wrap that you can wipe and clean between uses. You can use the pocket type bags or you can buy a wrap and mat style enclosure that unwraps and can be used as a mat while you are eating! Or you can just use plastic containers and wash them between lunches.

TIP:  If you have any food waste (banana and orange peelings, apple cores, etc), left over after lunch, take it home with you and put it in your kitchen compost pile.