Liz Swafford: Making zero-waste lunches

Published 9:00 am Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Revamp your family’s lunch hour by packing a zero-waste lunch for the kids and adults this fall. Wasting less during lunch is a practical way to reduce, reuse and recycle. And it’s much easier than it sounds. Here’s a short guide to get you started.

1. Reusable lunchbox: Instead of toting your lunch in a disposable bag, choose a durable and reusable lunchbox, bag or other carrier that will at least hold your food containers and ice packs. There are many different kinds on the market including some that are stainless steel or those constructed of fabric made from recycled water bottles. If you can’t find a lunchbox large enough you may opt to carry a reusable shopping bag that can hold a lunchbox, water bottle and other accessories.

2. Reusable food containers: Waste less by replacing your plastic sandwich and snack bags with reusable plastic containers that can be used daily, especially those without BPA chemicals. Bento boxes, Japanese-style lunchboxes, have some pre-designed compartments to work with. Take a quick look at the plastic container aisle at the local grocery store and you’ll find a variety of sizes built for a large variety of foods, from sandwiches to salads.

3. Reusable bottles: A basic reusable water bottle made from durable plastic, stainless steel or glass is a must-have addition to a zero-waste lunch. Most will hold room temperature or cold water, juice and other drinks. However, not all bottles will work for hot drinks or foods like soup. Depending on what you like to eat on the go you’ll need to add a travel mug for coffee or an insulated thermos for soup.

4. Reusable cutlery: Disposable plastic forks and spoons should never be part of a waste-free lunchbox. Make sure to use cutlery that is stainless steel, durable plastic, or made from bamboo which is a sustainable material.

5. Reusable napkin: A good old-fashioned cloth napkin in your lunchbox is the key to using less paper during lunch. Choose one that is machine washable and, if possible, made with organic cotton. With so many colors and patterns available, you’re bound to find one that matches your lunchbox.

6. Less packaged foods: When choosing the foods for your lunches it’s best to buy foods that are packaged in larger portions instead of those that are smaller portions individually wrapped. For example, you’ll throw away less packaging when you buy a large bag of chips as opposed to a set of individual bags that contain just one ounce of the same product. Fruits and vegetables can be purchased at the market with no packaging, or at the grocery store with minimal plastic wrappings. If you compost at home, don’t forget to include your food scraps.

7. Accessories: Silicone baking cups can be used to hold dressing, crumbled cheese, grapes and other small items. Very small containers and tiny sauce bottles can be used to hold condiments and your favorite sauces. Small cookie cutters with fun shapes like stars and hearts can help add a decorative element to your lunch when you use them to cut shapes out of sliced cheese and lunch meats.

By switching to a zero-waste lunch you can reduce packaging and food waste since you’ll be buying more fresh produce and items in bulk. You’ll reuse containers each day, avoiding plastic wrap, aluminum foil, plastic baggies and wax paper. And you’ll still be able to recycle containers as appropriate when you prepare your lunches. Packaging makes up such a large portion of the things we throw away each day, making a zero-waste lunch can have a very positive impact that you can easily see.

Liz Swafford is the recycling and education program coordinator for the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority. Contact her at (706) 278-5001 or email lswafford@dwswa.org.