Back-to-school is almost here, meaning it’s time to start thinking about packing lunches. I don’t know about you, but that’s a chore I always hated. In today’s post, I’ve got some tips for zero-waste lunches.

Pioneer day

When my daughters were in elementary school, they learned about pioneers. Pioneer day was a fun activity where everything that went to school had to be something that existed in pioneer times. So, we packed up a wicker basket with water in glass jars, sandwiches and cookies wrapped in tea towels and fruit. It was a fun exercise and a good learning experience but not really practical in our world today.

Easy swaps to reduce lunch bag litter

With Labour Day and the return to school just around the corner, there are things we can learn from the simpler pioneer days. Here are four easy swaps you can make to reduce litter in your lunches:

• Reusable containers instead of sandwich bags.
• Refillable water bottles or juice containers instead of single-use juice boxes.
• Reusable cutlery instead of disposable plastic cutlery. I recently went to the dollar store and bought a bunch of inexpensive knives, forks and spoons. If you don’t like the idea of sending real cutlery to school with your kids, look for sturdy plastic cutlery that can be washed and reused. We have several sets from IKEA that we’ve had since my girls were in elementary school.
• Cloth napkin instead of paper towels.

Invest in a sturdy insulated lunch bag and some reusable ice packs. They will last for years.

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Snacking with less waste

But what about snacks? Let’s be honest, if your family is like mine you won’t be able to forego convenient snacks like granola bars and crackers. That’s okay! I have a couple of suggestions on that front:

• Look for items with recyclable packaging.
• Instead of single-serving packages of crackers or cereal, buy bigger packages and pack in reusable containers. Even better, buy in bulk.

These changes take very little effort but they will add up over time to reduce waste and save money.

What changes have you made to reduce lunchtime waste? Share your ideas for zero-waste lunches below.