Ban the Brown Bag - Zero Waste School Lunches

Since my oldest started preschool, I have always packed a waste free lunch for school.  To be honest, I can't remember how it started.  I think because I am prone to making healthy, balanced homemade lunches, it was just the most efficient way to do it.  I invested in reusable storage containers, many of which are compartmentalized to keep foods separated and fresh.  I love the fact that I can usually prep everything the night before and then simply grab it from the fridge or counter and put in their lunchboxes every morning.  And the kids love all the fun containers that we get that are their favorite colors or decorated with things they love, like superheros, owls and other girly or boyish things.

Recently, I have been working with the "Environmental Outreach" chairperson, Lisa, at my daughter's school to brainstorm ways to help "green" our school.  One of the biggest priorities was to find ways to reduce the amount of trash the school produces, which on average amounts to 8 large garbage bags full of trash each day just for lunch!!  When I heard this, I got sick to my stomach mostly because it is so unnecessary.  It is really, really easy and affordable to pack kids waste free lunches.

In particular, Lisa was trying to solve the dilemma of the waste that was generated from the hot lunch program that is provided on campus 3 days a week.  Thanks to her diligent efforts, effective as of Earth Day, the school now has a "zero waste" hot lunch program whereby kids are given a reusable compartmentalized container for hot lunch.  The child/parent is responsible for bringing it to school to receive their hot lunch and taking it home to wash out after each use.  What a brilliant solution!  Kudos to Lisa!  I hope other schools can be inspired to adopt a similar program for their school provided lunches.

For those who opt to pack their children's lunch, like me, here are a number of reusable containers that would recommend you use for kids lunches.  It's so worth investing in these because they last forever and create zero waste.

Sandwich/Snack Bags: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=reusable+snack+bags&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Areusable+snack+bags



Compartmentalized Containers: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lunch+bots&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Alunch+bots


http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Konserve-Leak-Proof-Stainless-Steel-Containers/dp/B0032UXTCQ/ref=pd_sim_hg_2

Thermoses: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_10?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=kids%20thermos%20for%20lunch&sprefix=kids+therm%2Cgarden%2C186
        
Ice Packs (made from recycled plastic bottles): http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_17?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=kids%20konserve%20ice%20pack&sprefix=Kids+Konserve+ice%2Cgarden%2C208&rh=i%3Agarden%2Ck%3Akids%20konserve%20ice%20pack



Napkins: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=people+towel&rh=n%3A1055398%2Ck%3Apeople+towel


Sporks: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=spork&rh=n%3A1055398%2Ck%3Aspork

http://www.amazon.com/Light-My-Fire-Original-Full-Sized/dp/B00B8KY31I/ref=pd_sim_hg_3


Water Bottles/Clips: http://www.amazon.com/Reduce-WaterWeek-Aluminum-16-Ounce-Refrigerator/dp/B002D8YVW0/ref=pd_sim_k_7



I hope I've inspired to ban the brown bag lunch!