2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
Lunch boxes don't produce as much waste when you get into good habits. Here are 10 easy tips that won't complicate your life, but will make a real difference.
Avoid individual disposable packaging
Individual wrappers are really convenient, we know that. They give kids a reasonable portion size and fit nicely in the lunch box. However, with great chunks of cheese and mini bites, we send a lot of waste into nature. When possible, prefer reusable jars and packaging that you can wash every night. In addition, this way of doing things will give you a much better idea of what your child has eaten at school, and you will be able to try new mixtures there, according to your fantasies.
At home, mom and dad are always on the lookout for damage, but at school, damage is often unavoidable. Always in an eco-friendly spirit, send your clumsy little ones paper towels made from 100% recycled fibers such as Cascades Tuff®Enviro products.
Choose the lunch box carefully
When you buy the next lunch box, buy a durable one. Lunch boxes that stain easily, those whose interior tears with the slightest fork, and those that absorb odors will not last long and will need to be replaced regularly. Also make sure that this box is made of non-toxic materials. There are several of them, in very different formats. You will certainly find one to your liking. For my part, I have a soft spot for Planetbox boxeswhich are durable, pretty and easy to clean.
Less Meat
Meat is one of the foods with the largest ecological footprint.1In fact, to produce meat, animals must be raised to adulthood, their give them plenty of water and provide them with food which may have traveled for miles before reaching them. It is then necessary to transport these animals to the slaughterhouse, then distribute the meat in the grocery store. We're not talking about going vegetarian or even vegan here, but removing meat from one or two meals a week and replacing it with legumes will greatly reduce the ecological footprint of your lunch boxes.
Prefer organic food
Organic enthusiasts have an unequivocal respect for maintaining environmental he alth. By not using pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides, as well as by eliminating the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), organic farming allows the maintenance of soil quality and promotes the biodiversity of fields.agriculture (birds, insects, etc.).2
Buy locally
Discover the producers in your area and the small businesses in your neighborhood. In addition to avoiding the exorbitant gas consumption linked to the purchase of products that come from afar, you will encourage the local economy. It is also easier to inform you about the regulations to which our crops are subject. When you get to know our producers better, you can sort out which ones you like the most.
Choose unprocessed foods
Processed foods are often over-packaged, travel more, and contain more s alt and additives than whole foods. So it is best to cook meals for the family and eat fresh food.
Buy a good water bottle
Rather than sending the children to school with a little canned juice or bottled water, buy a good water bottle that you fill up every day and wash when you get back. In addition, avoid plastic straws at all costs, which are very harmful to the environment. This is another great way to reduce lunch box waste.
Make fun of children
If you really want to send your kids to school with cute foods that will make them think of you, you can always fall back on easy bento recipesor write them nice little messages.
Buy seasonal products
Products out-season require much more energy and transport to produce than seasonal products. So try to eat more produce when it grows naturally in our gardens. Plus, they taste better; just think of the famous Quebec strawberries! To learn more about the seasons of fruits and vegetables, visit the Équiterre website, where there is a fairly complete table. Compost!
If you compost at home, you can ask your child to leave their apple cores and other foods in their lunch box so they can participate in your composting. All the organic matter that you will be able to compost in this way will not end up in landfills and you will contribute to the reduction of biogas production.
Greenpeace Canada -
