Pack a Waste-Free Lunch

Refusing single-use items and choosing healthy foods are two of the most important actions you can take for a more sustainable planet. Challenge yourself to create new positive habits this spring. Prepping homemade meals in advance, controlling portion sizes and using waste-free lunch containers can guarantee a healthier meal while on the go.

Refuse single-use plastic bags and containers

Every year Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags and the effects are serious: bio-accumulation of plastic particles is endangering our planet. According to UNESCO, plastic debris causes the deaths of more than <b>one million seabirds and more than 100,000 marine mammals every year.

The first step to packing waste-free lunch is to avoid disposable plastic baggies, plastic wrap, juice boxes, plastic water bottles and other throw-away containers. An easy way to go green is to pack with reusable BPA-free sandwich wraps instead.

Choose durable green products

Conscious consumerism is on the rise as people shop for high-quality products that will stand the test of time and stay out of the landfill. Look for long-lasting food-packing options that are easy to clean, seal securely and withstand the rigors of daily use. And considering their long life and continued reuse, well-made stainless steel containers can be incredibly economical.

Pack your lunch in portion-appropriate containers

Stop throwing food away by packing balanced meals in portion-size lunchbox containers. Bring your healthy lunch in an eco-friendly container that is the right size for your appetite, ensuring a zero-waste, guilt-free meal while on the go. Those with removable dividers are even better—so versatile it’s like having two containers in one.

Pick double-walled containers for hot or cold foods

Pack your healthy lunch in insulated food jars that keep your pasta hot or your smoothies cold for long hours at work or school. And don’t be tempted by low-quality plastic containers that are not appropriate for reuse and might not be safe in a microwave where they could release toxins into your food. For hot foods, always stick with stainless steel and ditch the chemical residue.