Here’s How to Make a Litterless Lunch for Work or School

Traditional packed lunches can create a lot of waste, even when we include recyclable products. A litterless lunch eliminates all single-use packaging which is better for the environment, but also for your body and your budget. You can plan for money-saving batches of grab-and-go favourites that typically have more nutritional value than their pre-packaged counterparts. If you’re ready to make the sustainable switch to litterless lunches with eco-friendly storage options, here’s how.

The Smart Choice for Schools

The garbage resulting from one school lunch might not seem like much. Multiply it daily for an entire school population and that’s a lot! Litterless lunches that produce zero waste are now the goal of many educational institutions. Teaching kids to value sustainability can go a long way to creating more eco-conscious adults. Minor switches, like using an insulated lunch bag vs. paper bag, or opting for reusable straws can help set kids up for sustainable success. Eliminating excess waste also reduces the strain on school custodial staff and helps to keep playgrounds and school environments cleaner.

The Healthy Choice for Kids

Many highly processed snack foods have little-to-no nutritional value and do not provide kids with the fuel needed to support their active lifestyles. Incorporating healthy and natural foods into school lunches can help lower your family’s carbon footprint while encouraging kids to develop healthier eating habits. It’s also a great opportunity to give kids ownership of their meal planning.

Plastic Containers

Available in a range of shapes and sizes, plastic food containers are convenient and economical options for litterless lunches. Here’s why:

• They’re durable and easy to clean 

• Many have lockable lids to keep food fresh and prevent spills 

• Clear and stackable plastic food containers will keep lunches and leftovers visible, organized and accessible 

• Tiered or split compartments, freezer trays, and separate condiment containers keep lunch elements separate and ready to enjoy

Insulated Food Jars

When carrot sticks and cookies aren’t going to cut it, an insulated food jar gives you the option to enjoy a heartier fare. Pack up leftovers for easy and enjoyable lunches you’ll actually look forward to eating. Ideal for savoury soups and stews or satisfying pasta and stir-fry dishes. A Thermos or insulated airtight container offers lasting temperature to help keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Meal-to-go containers take the hassle out of packing lunches with a folding spoon conveniently fitted right into the lid.

Snack and Sandwich Bags

Unlike the flimsy, single-use baggies of the past, today’s snack and sandwich bags offer flexible durability. Reusable sandwich bags and compostable sandwich bags both offer reliable zip closures for preventing leaks and spills. You can also find washable cloth or mesh produce bags for carrying fruit snacks. Washable, reusable, and biodegradable beeswax wraps are another fun and functional eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic baggies.

Better Beverage Options

Skip the juice boxes and opt for beverage containers that are built to last. From morning coffee travel mugs to hydration bottles, there are plenty of opportunities to sip more sustainably. Silicone tumblers are safe and durable, and insulated steel bottles keep liquids cool for a longer period of time. A Thermos will keep hot beverages and brothy soups warm, and you even find add-a-cup models for easy sharing.

Reusable Straws and Flatware

Reducing our dependency on single-use packaging extends past sandwich bags and drink containers. Reusable straws and compostable cutlery are also important considerations in eco-friendly meal planning. They help eliminate waste in packed lunches and are handy when buying lunch on the go. Toss a metal straw in your backpack or keep foldable flatware in your desk drawer so you’re always prepared. Families can colour code reusable straws so everyone gets their own, and you can purchase wider straws to easily accommodate smoothies and shakes.

Compostable Dinnerware

Compostable dinnerware is another way to up the eco-friendly factor in your lunches. From bowls, plates, and cups to compostable butcher paper, there’s plenty of safe and sustainable options that are better for both you and the planet. Once used, there’s no need to separate these items for recycling: simply add them to the compost bin with any remaining foodstuffs.

Insulated Lunch Bags

Say goodbye to boring brown-paper bags and hello to stylish and durable insulated lunch bags for kids and adults. The high-density, thermal material helps regulate temperatures to keep your food fresh. Most models come with easy-to-clean waterproof liners. You can also find multi-storage lunch bags with secure locking rings and pockets for utensils, condiments, and bottle holders.

Easy Litterless Meal Ideas

Pre-packaged foods may tempt with the promise of convenience, but litterless lunches don’t have to be a chore. You can enjoy healthy, hearty lunches that not only work well with reusable containers but are also quick and easy to prepare. Here’s how: 

• Store sandwiches in reusable beeswax, sandwich bags, or food containers 

• Pack a Thermos with left-over chili, curry, or stew for an easy next-day lunch option 

• Cut up veggies and store them in the refrigerator for grab-and-go snacks 

• Prepare a midday warm-up of ramen or other satisfying noodle soups 

• Combine pasta and sauce for a filling lunch with fresh-grated parmesan for garnish 

• Buy larger quantities of yogurt, applesauce, crackers, and pretzels to divide into reusable containers 

• Fill bento boxes with a variety of bite-size snacks to satisfy picky palates

Food Shopping Tips

Successful litterless lunches start in the grocery store. When you’re shopping for food to fill your lunch bags, stick with fresh and healthy fruit, vegetable, dairy, meat, and whole-grain options: 

• Avoid single-serving items such as yogurt, puddings, and cheese sticks 

• Choose larger-serving products you can portion into reusable containers 

• Swap out packaged granola bars and snack foods for bulk or homemade options 

• Skip sugary juice boxes and sodas and opt for refillable water bottles Have a plan—shop purposefully with specific meal ideas to help save time and money

Packing Pitfalls

The goal of the litterless lunch is to eliminate waste. That means no plastic food wrap on that sandwich. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be packing like an eco-friendly pro. In the meantime, here are some potential packaging pitfalls to avoid: 

• Aluminum foil 

• Plastic food wrap 

• Single-use paper lunch bags 

• Single-use plastic bags, bottles, and straws 

• Plastics containing the additive BPA (Bisphenol-A) 

• Plastic take-out containers

You’ve got enough on your plate when it comes to making healthy, sustainable choices for you and your family. Litterless lunches don’t have to complicate things. With the right tools and a little creativity, you’ll be well on your way to a life of zero-waste lunching you can feel good about.