Not only is creating an eco-friendly lunch great for the environment, but it also teaches your children how to live a greener lifestyle.
Every day, many children grab their lunch from home and bring it to school. Some school lunches can result in a small pile of trash, which over the course of a school year, can accumulate to quite a bit of waste. Simple changes can make all the difference in making your child’s lunch more eco-friendly.
Skip the individually packaged snacks
Individually packaged snacks are contained in a lot of plastic and other packaging materials. Consider giving fresh fruit as a snack, which has no packaging at all. If you want to give a snack, such as pudding, make it at home and put it in your own container.
Use reusable containers
If you wrap your child’s lunch in foil or plastic wrap, the packaging will end up in the garbage. Reusable containers can hold the food, prevent leaks and can be washed for the next day without any unnecessary trash. Look for ones that come already divided so you can include several food items in one container.
Skip the plastic utensils
While it may be easier to provide your child with plastic utensils that he or she can dispose of after lunch, letting your child use regular utensils is a much more eco-friendly option. Consider buying him or her a bamboo utensil set or let them use one of the utensils from home. Just like the reusable containers, the utensils can be washed and reused the next day.
Put drinks in a water bottle
Although drinks that come in individual packaging can be a bit more convenient, a water bottle is more eco-friendly. In addition, they can keep drinks cold or hot, can prevent leaking and can save you money. Keep a pitcher of your child’s favorite drink ready so you can easily fill up the water bottle when you are packing the lunch.
Use an eco-friendly lunch bag
There are so many styles of lunch bags on the market that kids may have a hard time choosing only one. Your child can choose one that is cloth, which, in many cases, can be thrown into the washing machine for easy cleaning. There is also an option to choose an insulated lunch bag, which will keep food cold or hot. Look for a statement on the tag that says the bag is eco-friendly and PVC free.
Not only is creating an eco-friendly lunch great for the environment, but it also teaches your children how to live a greener lifestyle. The practice of being eco-friendly can carry into adulthood and can lead to a cleaner environment in the future.