A Waste-free Lunch Pack... Lunches in reusable containers Drinks in a thermos or reusable container A cloth napkin Reusable utensils when needed A reusable lunchbox or backpack

A Disposable Lunch Avoid... Lunches packed in plastic bags, foil, wax paper Prepackaged lunches Prepackaged single-serve lunch items Paper napkins Disposable drink boxes, pouches, cans, cartons, and bottles Disposable forks and spoons

It has been estimated that on average a single school-age child generates 67 pounds of lunchtime waste per school year, or 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for one average-size elementary school. Every single piece of packaging or excess food that we eliminate from the waste stream makes a difference. Let's do our part!

Here are a few suggestions for making it work:

• If you don't do so already, try packing lunches the night before and storing them in the refrigerator overnight. Make your children responsible for adding the ice pack and placing their own lunchbox near the door or in the car.
• Teach your older children how to make nutritious, waste-free lunches and let them make their own lunches.
• If your children are making their own lunches, be sure to monitor food quantities. (During the trash audit last year, we found large quantities of unopened prepackaged foods, including single-serve yogurts, cheese sticks, goldfish, and pretzels. We also found whole, uneaten apples, large bunches of grapes, and many near-full juice boxes, pouches, and cans. $$$Ouch!)
• Cut up fruits and vegetables and pack them in reusable containers. That way children can eat some and save the rest for later. It's hard, for example, to take two bites out of an apple during morning snack and save the rest for lunchtime. It's easier to eat a wedge or two and then reseal the container for later.
• Avoid buying drinks in packaging that cannot be resealed. Many children take just a few sips at snack time and discard the rest. ($$$Ouch!)
• Older children can take responsibility for washing their reusable containers or rinsing them and putting them in the dishwasher.
• Children of all ages can take responsibility for putting recyclables in the recycle bin.

Last year we implemented a week-long waste-free lunch program as part of our Earth Week celebration. Thanks to parents, students, and staff, we were able to reduce the amount of trash generated during lunch and snack time by nearly 35%! Let's keep up the good work. Together we can make a difference.

If you are interested helping reduce waste, please join our group by contacting [       ]. If you're looking for more information on the waste-free lunch program we implemented last year, on tips for packing waste-free lunches, or to find out about waste-free lunch programs at schools across the country, check out www.wastefreelunches.org.

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