Step 1: Choose reusable containers
Store-bought or reused containers work great.
Reusable lunch bag or box:
- Insulated lunch bags, often with Velcro closures or zipper-tops, keep food cool and are easy to carry. Look for the "machine washable" label to make clean up easier.
- Bento-style lunch boxes have built-in compartments for different foods (like fruit, crackers, and a sandwich).
Repurposed containers, like clean yogurt tubs or other plastic containers with lids, are great for packing snacks.
Reusable water bottle or a small thermos can be filled with water or juice.
Reusable utensils or a single reusable “spork” if you’re packing pasta or foods that require forks or spoons.
Keep it cool: If you've got food that needs to stay cool, consider adding a small freezer pack or freezing a partially filled reusable water bottle to use as an icepack.
Tip: Look for lunch supplies secondhand at thrift stores, swap events, or Buy Nothing groups.
Step 2: Pack affordable, low-packaging foods
Try to avoid single-serve snacks and individually wrapped items that can be pricey and create a lot of waste. Instead, go for:
- Snacks from bulk bins
- Cheese and crackers
- Fruit or carrots
- Sandwich or dinner leftovers
Time-saving tips
Pack the same lunch two days in a row using the same set of containers. It’s a simple way to cut down on decision-making and dishes.
Refill dry snack bags or containers: For dry snacks like pretzels, crackers, or granola bars, whether you pack them in a plastic bag or a reusable container, consider labeling it so you can refill with the same snack for the next day. Less waste. Less stress.
Step 3: Involve your kids in planning
When kids help pack their lunch, they’re more likely to eat it, and less likely to toss it. Ask them to:
- Choose their favorite foods for lunches and snacks
- Pack leftovers from dinner or decide on a snack to bring.
Try kid-approved recipes
The Food Hero website, run by Oregon State University, offers recipes that are “kid-approved,” meaning at least 70% of testing kids liked them.
Their Kid-Friendly Recipes section has dozens of tasty, healthy meals and snacks. Many fit lunchboxes and allow kids to help with prep. They're low-cost, low-packaging, and easy to scale up for multiple servings.
Step 4: Pack smart quantities
Don’t overpack. Kids often eat small amounts.
Teach kids to bring everything home—containers, water bottles, and even uneaten food. It helps reduce waste and lets you see what they’re actually eating.
Adjust portions as needed. If the same item comes home uneaten, try packing a smaller amount or swapping in something different.
Step 5: Label containers
Kids are pros at losing things. A simple label helps lunch containers make their way back home.
- Use a permanent marker directly on plastic.
- For metal, stick on a strip of painter’s tape first, then write your child’s name on the tape.
- You can also use waterproof name stickers or label tape if you have them.
A quick label goes a long way in saving time and saving your favorite containers from the school lost and found.
It makes a difference!
Packing lunches is something you do every day, so it’s the perfect place to start a new low-waste habit.
Each time you reuse a container or pack just the right amount of food, you're helping to reduce waste, save money, and protect natural resources [EPA].
Try one new thing this week!