Do you remember those McDonald’s styrofoam packages? The ones that kept the lettuce and tomato cold and the burger and cheese hot on your McDLT? Though my husband insists they did away with styrofoam in the early 80s, it took McD’s until 1990 to begin phasing out their styrofoam packaging (after activists spent three years bombarding mailboxes at corporate headquarters with used packaging).
During the anti-styrofoam movement, I remember writing letters to this fast food giant, pleading with them to choose biodegradeable packaging. There was an urgency in my tone; we were destroying the ozone layer, and styrofoam was, in part, to blame.
At the same, I slid into my seat at the lunch table every day with a Hawaiian Punch juice box, an Italian hoagie wrapped in aluminum foil, a Frito-Lay chip snack pack, individually-wrapped Halloween or Easter candy, and maybe a piece of fruit. My brown lunch bag was so choc full of c-r-a-p that my mom double-bagged it with a plastic baggie and a twist tie. (We should have owned stock in Reynolds and Glad.) I was the envy of the lunch table. I also generated a shameful amount of trash. But, at least it wasn’t “bad” trash.
I took me a while before I started to realize that trash is trash. And in truth, it’s taken me thirty years to feel uneasy about tossing Ziploc baggies. I truly believe that many Americans have good intentions to protect our earth and go “green,” although I use this term loosely. If we take an honest inventory of our actions, there’s an incongruity between what we say and believe (or say we believe) and what we actually do. I’m just as guilty as my neighbor.
Every year, parents send their kids off to school with brown-bag lunches and snack packs, individually-wrapped meals and desserts, juice boxes, disposable silverware, straws, and napkins, baggies, etc. According to the EPA, each child who brings a brown-bag lunch to school every day will generate 67 pounds of waste by the end of the school year – that’s 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for an average-sized school.
We, as parents, have the perfect opportunity to model environmental consciousness by packing waste-free lunches (or at least taking a step in that direction). According to Sandra Ann Harris, Founder and CEO of ECOlunchbox, an eco-friendly company based in the San Francisco Bay Area, here is what you need to pack a waste-free lunch:
1. A Reusable Fabric Lunch Bag. While most major retail stores carry plastic/vinyl lunchboxes, studies suggest that their manufacturing threatens our health and environment. ECOlunchbags are a beautiful back-to-basics solution for kids ages 3 to 103 who would like adopt sustainable, healthy, waste-free lunch habits.
ECOlunchbags are 100% cotton, machine washable bags, which can be converted from shoulder bag to sling bag to backpack to hip pack. Each fully-reversible lunchbag is sewn from fabrics that are hand block printed by artisans in India. This company is directly connected with the artisans and the sewing shop in Bombay that makes the bags. This is a fair trade project.
2. Cloth Napkins. Each ECOlunchbag comes with 3 matching napkins, measuring 16 inches by 12 inches. They are designed for use as placemats or napkins.
3. Reusable Containers. ECOlunchbox believes that non-leaching, stainless steel food containers are best. They come in two styles and are lead free and dishwasher safe. First, the oval lunchbox measures 6 1/2 inches long by 5 inches wide and 2 inches tall. It fits two halves of a sandwich stacked with room for sides. It also contains a stainless steel cup (3 1/2″ diameter) with a no-leak, BPA-free plastic lid for wet items.
Second, the retangular 3-in-1 lunchbox is great for packing a child’s lunch, which typically contains three items: a sandwich and two side dishes. Most children prefer their foods served separately, so this 2-layer stainless steel food container with upstairs inner box is a perfect fit. When closed, the lunchbox measures 4 inches wide, 5 1/2 inches long and 2 3/4 inches high. The small inner box, which contains 1/2 cup of wet foods, is good for applesauce, cut fruit and salads. (Please note: ECOlunchbox has chosen not to use any plastic or other gaskets in the pressure-fitting lid of these boxes, so they are not 100% leak proof.)
4. Bamboo Reusable Utensils. The EcoKidSpork is made out of sustainably grown bamboo and is designed for small hands. The utensil is 5 inches long, sized ideally for children age 5 and younger. The EcoSpork is a fun and healthy 3.5 inch alternative to disposables. You can toss it in your lunchbag, backpack, purse, or wherever.
We can’t do everything, but we can all do something to green our world. Sandra has generously offered to give away an ECOlunchbag (with matching napkins) to one turnitupmom reader. It is 100% plastic free, waste free, lead free, BPA free, PVC free, vinyl free, and sweatshop free. All you need to do is supply the lunch!
To enter, please leave a comment below with one thing that your family is doing to reduce mealtime waste.
If you’d like to earn extra entries, you can Facebook, twitter, or blog about ECOlunchbox and this giveaway. Then come back, and in a separate comment, tell me how you’ve spread the word!
On Monday, August 31, 8 p.m. EST, one winner will be randomly selected by Random.org. You must be a U.S. resident (18+) to enter. Good luck!
Congratulations, #54, Mandy! You’re our ECOlunchbag winner!
Jenny says:
We are using silicone mats to bake with (instead of foil).
Jenny´s last blog ..Guinness and Baileys Cupcakes
August 17, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Erin says:
we actually started using cloth napkins. I have so many that were gifts or came in sets with tablecloths that otherwise I would never use them..they have “classed-up” our meals and saved money and waste..and my 2 year old thinks its fun, like we are at a party!
August 17, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Colleen Lanahan says:
MaryJo – this is cool! Bart actually brings home his compostable items in one of the containers, so that he isn’t throwing away his banana peels, etc, and they go into our compost bin at the end of the day.
August 18, 2009 at 7:41 am
Pam Hartwell-Herrero says:
We made a worm bin for the school lunch area so students can compost their waste on site. It’s especially great for kids who do not compost at home. A student Green Team helps to care for it.
August 18, 2009 at 11:21 am
Megan at Simple Kids says:
Love that little lunch kit! So cute!
Dacey will probably be taking her lunch every day this year, and I took care to put together a lunch kit that is mostly waste-free. I hadn’t thought of the cloth napkins part, but yes! I can do that, too!
Megan at Simple Kids´s last blog ..Meet Robin – the Simple Kids Storyteller
August 18, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Lisa says:
Love your blog— great piece!
August 19, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Tina H says:
I need to think of starting this too b/c my little man is starting preschool next week. Love the cloth napkins!
August 20, 2009 at 7:55 am
xenia says:
What a great giveaway, we could definitely use this. Right now we try to pack our lunches in reusable containers so that we don’t have to use plastic baggies but it’s been hard because I either can’t find one the right size or the top is mysteriously missing. We’re trying though!
August 20, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Rana says:
This is a great idea. We too have been using the reuseable containers. I’ve been wanting to buy cloth napkins just to use for the house. Great post.
Rana´s last blog ..We’re Back!
August 21, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Casey M says:
The kids have lunchboxes and sandwich wraps, and I made fabric snack sacks. I would love the stainless steel lunch kits so I wouldn’t have to use plastic for applesauce and the like!
Casey M´s last blog ..Back to the pencil
August 23, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Maureen says:
We use one sandwich bag a week. Washing after each use each day.
August 24, 2009 at 9:56 am
Carol Buza says:
After eating, our family always refrigerates the leftovers, and we have a compost pile for all of the biodegradable materials like banana peels.
If there’s something in our refrigerator that we don’t want, we usually just feed it to our doggie!
Love,
Carol B.
August 24, 2009 at 11:47 am
Molly says:
Wondeful idea! I’ve been using too many plastic baggies lately and this would be the perfect solution to wasteful practices! Thank you for the opportunity
August 24, 2009 at 11:50 am
Cheryl says:
This is a great idea, beats the brown paper bag we used when we were kids; although we would try to use the same one all week long if possible. We use cloth napkins and try not to use plastic silverware [which usuallyy gets tossed] when we have large parties. If I have to cover up a dish to keep it warm, I use a paper plate versus tin foil. The paper plate can then be used later.
Cheryl´s last blog ..Bookmark fun with clear rubber stamps
August 24, 2009 at 12:28 pm
clarissa says:
we use reuseable containers in the kids school lunches
August 24, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Theresa says:
I’ve banned paper plates & bowls, and then we also began using stainless steel water bottles instead of plastic bottled water.
August 24, 2009 at 2:37 pm
susan varney says:
do not make extra as it usually gets thrown away mverno@roadrunner.com
August 24, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Amanda S. says:
We use a sandwich keeper (from Tupperware) to pack the kids sandwiches, instead of ziploc bags.
August 24, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Stephanie V says:
My husband started using lunchbot to put his sandwhich in.
tvollowitz at aol dot com
August 24, 2009 at 6:26 pm
myladel says:
we are composting our leftovers!
August 25, 2009 at 7:05 am
Victoria says:
I’m taking a reusable bottle for water with me every day, rather than buying bottled water.
August 25, 2009 at 7:07 am
Kristina Jones says:
we use cloth napkins
August 25, 2009 at 9:52 am
amanda thompson says:
i make a lunch for my husband everyda and put it in a reusable lunch box so he doesnt have to drive and waste fuel going 10 miles into town to eat. he also brings a gallon container for water wich he fills up all thru the day
August 25, 2009 at 9:56 am
dreamer says:
we only put on our plate what we will eat, so that we throw away less. Plus we use cloth napkins and reusable plates/containers
August 25, 2009 at 10:00 am
Nancy says:
To reduce meal time waste, I use reusable containers to pack my lunch! My lunch tote is – of course – also reusable. We also buy larger packages of items which we break down into smaller portion-size servings.
August 25, 2009 at 10:21 am
Heather R says:
We use reusable containers instead of foil or plastic wrap. We also have reusable water bottles and have a compost pile for certain leftovers.
August 25, 2009 at 11:05 am
Aimee T says:
We have been using cloth napkins for about 10 years now.
August 25, 2009 at 11:31 am
Shelly says:
reusable containers and water bottles – and my daughter’s school has a worm bin
August 25, 2009 at 11:53 am
Shelly says:
tweet http://twitter.com/phxbne/status/3537084412
August 25, 2009 at 11:54 am
Donna says:
My daughter will be taking her lunch this year. She has been eating in the cafeteria but usually doesn’t like but one thing on her plate so the rest of the food is wasted. This way she takes only what she wants so there is no waste.
August 25, 2009 at 12:11 pm
hminnesota says:
we both parents are pretty good about it because I am originally from a third world country and has seen poverty. So I teach my kids here every day how poor person can survive a day with the waste that they make.
August 25, 2009 at 12:50 pm
hminnesota says:
tweeted
http://twitter.com/hminnesota/status/3538149223
August 25, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Janet F says:
We have been using reusable fabric sandwich and snack bags for our packed lunches. I love them and they are washable.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
August 25, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Janet F says:
I blogged:
http://blog-giveaways.blogspot.com/2009/08/turn-it-up-mom-packing-waste-free-lunch.html
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Janet F´s last blog ..WINNER: Nutiva Organic Products Review Giveaway
August 25, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Colleen C says:
We have been using glade and ziploc containers for a while now, but I am always looking for new and better ways to reduce waste. Thanks for the info.
August 25, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Tricia Z says:
We reuse clean baggies. We use reusable container and bring them home whenever possible, and do not use plastic water bottles. Thank you!
August 25, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Brandon Ralston says:
We only use cloth napkins that can be washed.
August 25, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Julie says:
We have our reusable lunch bags, no bottled water-we have our individual bottles If we eat something messy just use wash clothes instead of napkins.
August 25, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Carol W. says:
We are using cloth napkins more instead of paper.
August 25, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says:
We are starting to use our hand towels alot more instead of paper towels. So far it is going good!
Shop with Me Mama (Kim)´s last blog ..ANOTHER kajeet Cell Phone Giveaway! Just in time for back-to-school!!!!
August 25, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Chris G. says:
One thing that our family is doing to reduce mealtime waste is to eat all leftovers. Thanks for the giveaway!
August 25, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Chris G. says:
I posted on my facebook wall: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=100000081168130&share_id=118011638995&comments=1&ref=nf#div_story_118011638995_118011638995
August 25, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Chris G. says:
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/sunnyview99/status/3546824196
August 25, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Chris G. says:
I blogged: http://wut-givz.blogspot.com/2009/08/turnitupmom-ecolunchbag-giveaway.html
August 25, 2009 at 9:03 pm
beth shepherd says:
We use cloth napkins. We also use plates in place of paper plates
Thank you for the chance
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
August 26, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Carolyn G says:
We are composting for our garden.
August 26, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Carolyn G says:
http://twitter.com/carogonza/status/3566230463
Carolyn G´s last blog ..R.I.P. Senator Edward Kennedy
August 26, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Condo Blues says:
We cook from scratch and eat the leftovers for lunch. I started using a reusable sandwich wrap for lunches instead of a zipper baggie.
Condo Blues´s last blog ..4 BPA Free Water Bottle Alternatives to Sigg
August 26, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Condo Blues says:
I tweeted about the contest http://twitter.com/condoblues/status/3566437054
@condoblues
Condo Blues´s last blog ..4 BPA Free Water Bottle Alternatives to Sigg
August 26, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Condo Blues says:
I posted this on my Facebook wall
Condo Blues´s last blog ..4 BPA Free Water Bottle Alternatives to Sigg
August 26, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Jennifer ONealWatts says:
I try to cook more meals rather than eating fast food
August 26, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Jennifer ONealWatts says:
I twittered it.
August 26, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Mandy Mc says:
We reuse plastic bags, carry our own sacks to the grocery store, and have reusable water bottles for lunches.
Mandy Mc´s last blog ..(Almost) Wordless Wednesday, August, 19, 2009
August 26, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Mandy Mc says:
I tweated about the contest!
Mandy Mc´s last blog ..(Almost) Wordless Wednesday, August, 19, 2009
August 26, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Katherine says:
My family is freezing more food in order to reduce waste. This allows us to have meals ready to go with a quick thaw!
August 26, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Katherine says:
Tweet! http://twitter.com/ktkatherine/status/3567600021
August 26, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Ruth says:
I try not to by convenience portions of food.
Ruth´s last blog ..Peed on, dog eating diapers, etc…
August 26, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Lisa Duffy says:
We have increased our intake of fresh fruits and vegetables by more than half and this causes less waste because most of our food does not come in containers. We only use plastic produce bags when absolutely necessary at the store and just buy most of it without bags.
August 26, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Lisa says:
We have switched to cloth napkins and my husband talks reusable items to work for lunch.
Lisa´s last blog ..Product Review: Mission Playground
August 26, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Tonya Froemel says:
I sewed a bunch of cloth napkins for my family to use. We don’t use them daily, but we probably should start.
This year I am thinking of sending lunch to school with my kids and this lunch kit would be perfect.
August 26, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Megan says:
We use reusable containers for water as well as for other food items at lunch.
August 27, 2009 at 9:43 am
Lindsay {Shrimp} says:
We have switched Tupperware instead of Ziplocks and take leftovers for lunch instead of throwing anything away!
Lindsay {Shrimp}´s last blog ..Handmade Feature and Giveaway – Bugaboo Jewelry
August 27, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Kiley Smith says:
We used to use paper plates but we have decided as a family to stop using them and use regular dishes instead. We also wash our dishes by hand to reduce the amount of water we use!
Kiley Smith´s last blog ..The Brown Derby
August 27, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Kiley Smith says:
I twittered here:
http://twitter.com/CherryBlossBaby/status/3585996913
Kiley Smith´s last blog ..The Brown Derby
August 27, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Nad says:
We don’t drink bottled water, only recycled tap to reduce the number of plastic bottles filling up our landfills.
August 27, 2009 at 7:09 pm
sarah woods says:
my follow workers would think I had won the lottery if the napkins/lunch tote followed me to the office to forgo the lunch/snack in the Wal Mart bag/s. Thanks SW
August 27, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Maureen says:
We use cloth napkins at our meals. Thanks, Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
August 28, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Mia J. says:
We always use the reuseable containers for leftovers and when making lunches.
August 28, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Sonya says:
I pack lunches in reusable containers instead of baggies
Sonya´s last blog ..Winners List for 8/27!
August 29, 2009 at 3:40 am
mike says:
Wow–I can see Little “L” starting a trend for school lunch, showing the kids what’s really cool and being the leader of a trend in this area!! I’m going to start to use real napkins ( I have a bunch of brand new ones) and I’ve told Roger that we’re going to use less paper towels for clean-ups. He’s always pulling of wads of them off the roll. Love the lunch bag! “Mike”
August 29, 2009 at 10:49 am
Nicole Kay says:
We’ve cut back drastically on our usage of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. We started using more plastic containers, ones we’ve purchased and ones we re-use from food purchases.
August 29, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Marianna says:
We are using and re-using cloth napkins and rags instead of paper/disposable ones and paper towels
August 29, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Marianna says:
tweeted! http://twitter.com/mannabsn/status/3634479645
August 29, 2009 at 7:33 pm
jamiain says:
we’re trying to be conscious of what we’re eating and not packing too much…it’s horrible how much food is wasted
August 29, 2009 at 7:36 pm
icefairy says:
We use reusable containers for leftovers.
icefairy´s last blog ..Loads of Winners!
August 29, 2009 at 7:37 pm
icefairy says:
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/luckytoddler/status/3634582706
icefairy´s last blog ..Loads of Winners!
August 29, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Rachel Newman says:
I never use disposable products in the kitchen, not even when I’m planning an outddor picnic. The work you do to keep the resusable stuff usuable is not really that much more, and it makes a world of difference!
August 29, 2009 at 7:53 pm
AB Smith says:
we use plastic plates and cups instead of paper. and rinse less to save water – & utilize the “doggie vacuum” cleaning system
August 29, 2009 at 8:12 pm
AB Smith says:
http://twitter.com/2kidsblogger/status/3635132341
tweeted
August 29, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Kristy says:
We carry travel mugs to drink out of instead of using disposable water bottles.
August 29, 2009 at 8:18 pm
lace says:
We are using reusable cloth snack bags instead of buying ziplock baggies. We also have stainless steel water bottles for every member of the family.
August 29, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Vicki Wurgler says:
I quite buying paper towels, napkins and paper plates
August 30, 2009 at 9:46 am
JDaniel4smom says:
We recyle and bring our own grocery bags.
August 30, 2009 at 2:54 pm
JDaniel4smom says:
I twittered http://twitter.com/jdaniel4smom/status/3649769996
August 30, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Kim F says:
No more paper plates, cooking with fresh produce and composting the scraps, steel water bottles only, and we are slowing working on cloth napkins.
August 30, 2009 at 3:38 pm
amy delong says:
we just started using cloth napkins,cuts back alot on waste!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
August 30, 2009 at 4:50 pm
tina reynolds says:
we invested in cloth napkins and we dont use paper plates or cups thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com
August 30, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Marianne Coleman-Hipkins says:
We never eat takeaways. I always make food from scratch. It’s cheaper, better for you (you know the standards that go into the preparation of your food), and a lot healthier and less wasteful.
I rarely if ever have left overs as I have learned exactly how much food we each will eat. So there is no wastage. On the odd times we do have left overs, they are never wasted always eaten the next day.
August 30, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Lauren says:
We try to use as few pots, bowls, and utensils as possible while we cook…that way we use less water washing everything afterwards!
August 30, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Darcie Kayes says:
We use cloth napkins at all of our meals.
August 30, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Shane Murray says:
Switching from paper plates to real plates.
August 30, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Debbie Edge says:
I buy in bulk whenever possible and use plastic stoage containers for leftovers/lunches.
August 30, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Dddiva says:
We make bento lunches when we can or at least use reusable containers. :d
Dddiva´s last blog ..Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Safe Sunday, Quotable Sunday
August 30, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Dddiva says:
I tweeted http://www.turnitupmom.com/giveaways/packing-a-waste-free-lunch-ecolunchboxes-giveaway
Dddiva´s last blog ..Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Safe Sunday, Quotable Sunday
August 30, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Pamela S says:
We used to pack EVERYTHING into those little individual baggies. So each of my kids would have 3 or 4 every school lunch! We are now using reusable containers that we can bring home and wash.
Thanks so much!
August 30, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Beth says:
We just started using cloth napkins because we were going through napkins way too fast!
August 31, 2009 at 2:25 am
Priscilla says:
I use sandwich/snack wraps made from cloth instead of plastic baggies. Using these wraps eliminate missing lids since they are one piece of cloth with velcro for closure. It also doubles as a placemat
August 31, 2009 at 6:02 am
Priscilla says:
Tweeted giveaway
http://twitter.com/SwaddleBabies/status/3663000351
Twitter ID: SwaddleBabies
August 31, 2009 at 6:05 am
Jennifer M says:
We send only reusable packaging–no disposable wraps, napkins, or drink containers.
August 31, 2009 at 9:12 am
Patricia Hill says:
We’ve started using cloth napkins and lunch totes.
August 31, 2009 at 11:52 am
kathy pease says:
for lunches we use the zip lock reusable containers
August 31, 2009 at 1:44 pm
kathy pease says:
http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/3670011151
August 31, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Charity says:
I’m cooking smaller meals. Thanks
August 31, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Charity says:
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/ccboobooy/status/3670872194
August 31, 2009 at 2:33 pm
dawn says:
We have been using reusable bags for lunches.
August 31, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Theresa Dell says:
we’re shopping at local farmer’s markets and only buying what we will eat in a few days. No waste!
August 31, 2009 at 6:07 pm
megari says:
We use cloth napkins and reusable water bottles. Recycle all we can.
August 31, 2009 at 6:35 pm
joana martin says:
i have a large family so we try to cut costs as much as possible so we use items that can be reused. we wash dishes by hand, my kids reuse there ziploc baggies they use at lunch they just rinse them out and they take cloth napkins and real silverware instead of plastic they also have a reusable water bottle as well.
August 31, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Donna K says:
Using reusable luch bags.
August 31, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Gabriel J. says:
We use cloth napkins.
August 31, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Lily Kwan says:
We reduce mealtime waste by composting kitchen scraps.
August 31, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Sarah C says:
We just recently switched to cloth napkins. I need to get more though, because I keep forgetting to wash them and then we have to use dishcloths!
August 31, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Mandy Mc says:
Wow, thanks! I’m super excited about trying it out. I picked the Orange Stripe Bouquet
Mandy Mc´s last blog ..Publix and Walgreens
September 1, 2009 at 5:50 pm