Volume II, Number 6

 October 2006

eMDE is a monthly publication of the Maryland Department of the Environment. It covers articles on current environmental issues and events in the state. 

Building a Zero Waste Lunch

By Terry Kuta, Waste Management Administration

It’s Back-to-School time – Yea! It’s also time for those additional school-time parental responsibilities we all love – Boo! 

One responsibility is packing a healthy lunch that our children will actually eat and enjoy. The other is educating future generations about the importance of reducing waste. Incorporating some simple zero waste practices into the packing of the healthy lunch can save you money and is good for the environment.

What does “Building a Zero Waste Lunch” mean? Simply put, to make a lunch that generates no (or very little) trash. In a zero waste lunch everything can be eaten, reused, or recycled. Here are some tips to help get you started:

• Use a reusable insulated bag or lunch box instead of a brown paper bag, to hold your child’s lunch every day. A reusable ice pack can be used to keep perishable food items cold.
• Use reusable plastic containers that can be washed and used over and over instead of using disposable plastic sandwich bags for sandwiches and snacks.
• Use a thermos or reusable jug instead of a bottle of soda or a juice box.
• Use metal silverware or wash plastic utensils and reuse them instead of plastic utensils that are used once and thrown away.
• Buy in bulk and pack individual servings in reusable containers.
• Use cloth napkins that can be washed and reused instead of using paper napkins or paper towels.

All are simple, good for the environment, and save you money. What more could you ask? Click here for more information about recycling and source reduction.

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