Back-to-school means packing lunch boxes. Honestly I find the daily grind of packing a lunch box challenging at the best of times but trying to do it creatively and sustainably can leave you feeling utterly defeated. If like me you are already feeling a little lunch box tired – I’ve got your back.
While there are loads of convenient, pre-packaged lunch snacks available at the supermarket, there are many other ways to prepare healthy, less-waste and affordable snacks! Here are my top 9 tips for packing an eco-friendlier lunch:
1. Start with the lunch box
For starters get your little one a good quality, reusable lunch box. Using a good quality lunch box that can be reused for years helps keep waste out of the landfill and your lunch fresh! For kids, try to find a lunch box that is plain, durable, and easy to clean – so that it can be reused year after year! I absolutely adore Yumbox’s leakproof Stainless Steel Bento. Its easy to open-and-close latch makes it the perfect lunchbox for kids. The 5-compartment tray is easy to pack and it’s rounded edges and high-quality silicon lid and stainless-steel tray makes it easy to keep clean. Available from Cloud+Co.
2. Reusable water bottles
Did you know that 60 million plastic water bottles are sent to landfills and incinerators every day around the world, and only 1 in 6 of those bottles are actually recycled? Using a reusable water bottle, that you fill at home, is one of the easiest things you can do to reduce single-use plastic and waste in your home. My little one loves her pink stainless steel bottle from Manna. Available at Woolworths.
3. Swap the cling-wrap for Beeswax wraps
While cling-wrap and plastic zipper bags may be convenient, there are many other sustainable options for packing your little one’s sandwiches and snacks. Bees-wax wraps are my favourite. You can wrap them around almost any shape, from a sandwich to a muffin, using only the warmth of your hands. They are reusable and last approximately one year – depending how well you care for them. And because they are biodegradable can be composted when they need to be replaced with new ones. They come in different sizes and beautiful designs. I got mine from The Refillery and Funky Ouma.
4. Choose more plant-based foods
Animal products like meats, eggs, and dairy have large carbon footprints as livestock requires a considerable amount of water, land, and crops. Not to mention the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the processing and transportation of these products. Even swapping out animal products for a plant-based alternative once a week will lower your carbon footprint!
Here are some delicious, nutritious, and environmentally friendly plant-based swaps to your favourite lunch snacks:
- Swap cheese and crackers for hummus and crackers! This plant-based dip is vegan and can easily be made at home. Get the recipe here.
- Swap a B.L.T with a V.L.T (veggie, lettuce, tomato)! Substitute the meat for cucumber or thinly grated carrot.
5. Make your own lunch box snacks
Store bought, individually wrapped snacks may be tasty, but there is a healthier, more environmentally conscious option – making your own! One of my favourite homemade lunch box snacks is granola bars. Making your own granola bars is not only super easy, cost-effective, and better for your health, but you’ll also be keeping many individual wrappers from landfills where they take hundreds of years to break down. I especially love these Apricot and chocolate chip granola bars. Get the recipe here.
6. Try packing fruits and veggies that are local and in season
Buying produce that is local and in season helps reduce your carbon footprint as your food doesn’t have to travel as far to get to your supermarket. Try buying from local farmers markets and community farmers.
7. Grow your own fruits and veggies
Growing your own vegetables and fruits is a great way to cut back on single-use plastic. Some of the easiest veggies to grow yourself are zucchini, carrots, and tomatoes. Which all are great ingredients to add to your little one’s lunch box.
8. Focus on portion size to avoid food waste
Packing the correct portion can be tough, so it’s important to have a conversation with your child about how much and what kinds of foods they prefer to eat. Once you know this you can draw up a meal plan. Although I am struggle with this, I must admit having the proper portions and lunch foods planned out not only makes shopping a whole lot easier, it also has drastically reduced the amount of food we throw away because we didn’t get around to using it.
9. Compost your food waste
If you haven’t started your own compost heap or worm farm – now is the time! Composting our food waste rather than sending it to the landfill drastically reduces our carbon footprint. Composting food scraps reduces our methane emissions, methane is a greenhouse gas that is 72% more harmful than carbon dioxide. When food scraps are properly broken down and decomposed, the waste produces carbon dioxide and can eventually be used as nutrient rich soil for growing food. So, get that compost heap going and encourage your kids to bring their fruit peels etc home with them.
Happy lunch box packing!
xxx
