If you bring your lunch to school, you may also be bringing a lot of trash. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), waste from packaging accounts for more than 30 percent of all the waste generated each year, and much of that packaging comes on the food we buy.
Single-serving items come in their own, often unrecyclable package. That may be convenient, but what is the environmental cost? If you pack lunch items in single-use plastic bags, aluminum foil or wax paper, all of that packaging probably ends up in the school's trash.
Starting on Friday, January 25, EARTHS students and families will have the opportunity to participate in Waste Free Fridays. Families are encouraged to look at lunch options that reduce the amount of school trash from lunches. This program is optional. We will measure trash to see how well we do. Please join us in helping to reduce waste. Don't forget to put your child's name on any tupperware or waterbottles.
Below are some tips for minimizing the amount of waste in your lunch.
- Use a lunch box or cloth bag to carry your lunch.
- Avoid plastic wrap, wax paper and other hard to recycle packaging and use reusable containers instead.
- Use a thermos or other refillable drink container.
- Try utensils and cloth napkins that can be washed and reused, instead of plastic forks and spoons and paper napkins.
- If you buy lunch, take and use only what you need: one napkin, one ketchup packet, one salt packet, one pepper packet, one set of flatware.
- Always remember to recycle your cans and bottles.
Come on Earths Families, let's make a difference!More resources below: