Lessen Your Impact, Pack A No Waste Lunch

The infinite amount of No Waste Lunch supplies and combinations thereof on the marketplace today can leave a newer buyer feeling a little overwhelmed. Where to begin, what to opt for, how much is too much, what is not enough? In the next few paragraphs I will discuss a variety of choices for all ages and lifestyles.

In a study compiled by an eco-friendly lunch container company, they found that most school children bring 3-4 different items with them for lunch. Typically, this consists of a sandwich and 2 or 3 sides such as chips, yogurt, carrots and/or fruit. They also found that kids like to keep their food separate (no grapes mixed in with the nuts, thank you).

For families that like to "free form" their lunches, I would recommend a sandwich wrap (which can double as a snack holder), 3 stainless steel or glass containers, plus an insulated food jar for days when you want a hot meal. If you have a busy lifestyle and don't foresee cleaning your containers every night, I would stock up on a second set so you have a day in which to get those containers clean, dry and ready for the next lunch.

For those families or children that like a little more "structure" to their lunch ware, I recommend an all-in-one lunch system such as a bento-style lunchbox. All of these come with multiple compartments for a variety of lunch styles. The great thing about some of these all-in-one lunchboxes is that they are one unit - no lids, bags or wraps to get accidentally thrown away. These lunchboxes can be ideal for smaller children.

For the older crowd, lunch typically consists of last nights' dinner, soup and salad, or a sandwich with a side. I recommend a larger glass container to house leftovers or soup, this makes reheating a cinch, and there is no need to swap containers in the morning before work, saving precious time. Insulated food jars also work well - then there is no need to reheat. Multi-compartment stainless steel containers are great for salads and sandwiches. Having a couple of small containers around is great for dressing or sauces to accompany your meal. For something more compact, choose a sandwich wrap to bring your sandwich or snack at the end of the day there's no bulky container to lug home.

With any of these No Waste Lunch options don't forget about accessories such as cloth napkins, reusable wooden or stainless steel utensils, and a reusable drink container. Remember to include a lunch bag or box to hold all of your lunch items. They can vary from insulated bags to organic cotton bags and come in all sizes - depending on your preference.

By opting for No Waste Lunch supplies, a household usually saves around $200/year per person! You're also saving the environment and lessening your load on already overflowing landfills. When choosing containers to purchase, make sure they are toxin free - that means no BPA, phthalates, PVC or lead! BPA is commonly found in plastic #7, while plastic #3 is PVC. Avoid these numbered plastics at all costs, especially when they come in contact with food.

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