How to Pack a Zero Waste School Lunch
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For many parents, figuring out what to send for school lunches is a daily challenge. We worry about nutrition, allergies, convenience, and now more than ever, plastic. With 180 school days on average, single-use plastic from granola bars, sandwich bags, and yogurt cups quickly adds up – and almost none of it is recyclable. In fact, the average student generates 67 pounds of waste per student every year! The concept of a zero waste lunch (or litterless lunch) might seem daunting, but it’s more achievable than you think!
Prefer to listen instead? In this episode of the Sustainable in the Suburbs podcast, I’m sharing how to get your kids ready for school without wasting money or creating a mountain of trash.
Why Pack a Zero Waste Lunch?
Also called a “litterless lunch” the goal is for nothing to be landfill (via the class trash can) afterwards. Instead, waste is sent home for proper sorting as many school districts don’t have access to recycling and composting services.
Beyond the tangible reduction in waste, there are other great reasons to start packing a zero waste lunch:
- Saves you money. Seeing what comes home uneaten helps you to adjust portions or choices accordingly to minimize food waste. Buying in bulk and using reusable containers lowers costs over time (vs. individually-packaged snacks and disposable bags).
- Healthier food choices. Convenience foods are packaged in plastics and often contain more preservatives, sugar, salt, and artificial dyes.
- Teaches kids about sustainability. Involving your kids teaches them the foundations of green living and the power of their individual choices and actions.
- More personal and fun! Kids can get creative and customize their lunches, and feel a sense of pride in their participation.
Make a Meal Plan
Meal planning is an important part of zero waste living. Figuring out what you will eat in a week saves you time, money, and food waste. It also helps you prioritize package-free and bulk ingredients. Have your kids sit down and do this with you! After all, getting them to actually *eat* their lunch is part of the challenge! Ask them to suggest a sandwich, a fruit and veggie, and a dinner they will happily take as leftovers the next day.
Snacks can be easy to plan in advance – click here for 25 suggestions! Once a month, we have the kids choose a baked treat and a protein ball they would like for lunches. We spend an hour or two preparing them on a weekend afternoon, freeze them, and take out as needed. Package-free snacks can be found in bulk sections of many grocery stores and keep well in glass jars in your cupboards. Chop veggies into your typical serving size on the weekend and store submerged in water for the week ahead.
You do not have to make everything from scratch to reduce waste! Turn fresh eyes on the bulk, produce, and bakery sections of your local store to see what you can stock up on. Buying the largest possible container of something (such as yogurt or crackers) and then sending individual portions in reusable containers still significantly reduces waste. Opt for packaging that is likely to be recycled in your area, such as metal or cardboard.
Involve the Kids
Participating in selecting and preparing their lunches is a great opportunity for kids to learn valuable life skills while spending quality time with you. They are also more likely to eat food they have helped prepare! Kids can help with meal planning, picking out produce at the store, baking, chopping, even washing their lunch containers each evening. Doing these things together provides teachable moments for you to discuss *why* waste-free lunches are important and connecting them to larger issues in sustainability.
Zero Waste Lunch Essentials
The actual food you send depends on your child, but how to send it is a snap with a few quality reusables! Although these require a small upfront investment, they last throughout your child’s school years and beyond, saving you money and reducing tons of trash. We are on our tenth year of reusable containers and haven’t lost a single one!
A litterless lunch kit includes the following:
- Insulated reusable water bottle
- Reusable containers (stainless steel containers, bento box, insulated food jar, washable snack bags, beeswax wraps)
- Cutlery set
- Cloth Napkin
- Lunch bag
These are my favourite reusables that have stood the test of time, are easy to clean, and are fun and kid-friendly!
ECOlunchbox 3-in-1 Nesting Bento Set
My oldest prefers this nesting set for keeping food separated in a fun, but logical way. I typically send a sandwich or pasta salad on the bottom and two snacks up top. The smallest one has a lid and is great for yogurt or hummus. It’s very easy for kids to open with adjustable clips. Dishwasher safe for easy clean up! Shop here.
DALCINI Stainless Steel Charcuterie Bento
Meanwhile, my youngest prefers a smorgasbord of options for lunch. This style of bento containers lets him see everything at once and he can mix and match. I prefer this one to other options as the compartments are deeper.Attached lid is easy for kids to open, but closes tight to keep food separated. Dishwasher safe. Check it out!
Lunchbots Medium Stainless Steel Bento Box
This was our very first reusable container purchase, back in 2016! The smaller size is great for a day out with toddlers, or sending a variety of snacks for a school day. I use this one myself for a day at the library or snacks on a hike. Lightweight and dishwasher safe. Find it here.
Some kids are perfectly happy eating reheated leftovers for lunch the next day. We love these for sending soups, chili, and other warm meals in the winter months. Simply fill with hot water to warm the container before adding hot food, and it stays warm for hours! See more.
An insulated reusable water bottle is a must! This eliminates single-use bottles and can be refilled at school. Keeps water cold all day, but also works well for hot chocolate on a winter day. I love Klean Kanteen as all of their lids and caps are interchangeable, so one bottle can take your child from a sippy cup to sport mode in high school and beyond. My bottle is nearly 20 years old! More options here.
I am a big fan of these washable snack and sandwich bags. Made from a cotton outer layer and a food-safe polyurethane membrane on the inside, you can use these wherever you use a conventional plastic zipper bag. We have them in several sizes and have found so many uses for them beyond food! Machine wash and hang to dry. More options here.
Zero Waste MVMT – Travel Bamboo Utensil Set With Pouch
A sustainable and lightweight alternative to single-use plastic utensils — perfect for a grown up lunch bag too! These are great for traveling or daily use in your laptop bag. Hand wash utensils in warm water. Pouch is machine washable, but hang to dry. View item.
These beeswax wraps are the best I have ever used. There are a myriad of ways to use them in the lunch box, but I like them for wrapping sliced apples and cheese for a little added freshness. Check out @hivetohomens on Instagram for tips on how to use beeswax wraps for lunches and snacks! Shop all wraps here.
3 Sprouts Recycled Fabric Lunch Bag
These lunch bags are made from recycled plastic water bottles, are big enough to fit a variety of reusable containers, and are super durable. The pockets are great folding holding a cloth napkin, cutlery roll, or ice pack. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. More styles and colours here.
Think Outside the Lunchbox
Once you have packing zero waste lunches sorted, think of other ways you can reduce waste in your larger school community:
- Get involved with the school’s Parent Council to advocate for on-site compost, community gardening, and litterless or boomerang lunches (where everything that is sent to school returns home).
- Visit your child’s classroom to teach kids about sustainability and things they can do to help the environment.
Go easy on yourself when shifting to waste-free lunches. Be realistic about how much you can reasonably do according to your budget and circumstances. Change one thing at a time and be proud of what you and your child have accomplished together!
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