12 Months to Zero Waste: August
Low-Waste Back-to-School
As we gear up for another school year, it's the perfect time to rethink how we pack lunches for our kids (and ourselves!). By choosing sustainable, low-waste options, we can reduce our environmental footprint and teach our kids the importance of sustainability. At plentiFILL, we're passionate about making greener choices easier for families. Here are some super easy low-waste, sustainable lunch ideas featuring a few of our favourite products.
Wrap Up a Greener Year
One of the easiest swaps is replacing single-use plastic wrap and sandwich bags with reusable alternatives. Silicone bags with pinch-style zipper locks or lined fabric bags with actual zippers are great options. In our household, we use both and have had them for over five years! They’re easy to clean—just rinse and hang between uses, and occasionally toss the fabric ones in the laundry. Bee's wax food wraps are also perfect for sandwiches and snacks. Made from cotton coated in beeswax, they come in fun patterns kids will love. Rinse in cold water with soap as needed, and they can last for years. Once they lose their tackiness, they can be refreshed, composted, or used as fire starters!
Hot Eats, Cool Treats
For hot meals, insulated food jars are a game-changer. They keep food warm for hours, making them ideal for soups, stews, or leftovers. The LunchBot Insulated Food Canister is a favourite—it’s sturdy, leak-proof, and made from stainless steel, so it will last forever. Perfect for chilly days when a warm meal is needed, without a microwave. Also, keeping kids hydrated is super important. Refillable water bottles help cut down on single-use plastics. Stainless steel insulated bottles are tough, easy to clean, and keep drinks at the right temperature for hours. For a fun treat, add berries or fruit juice to your ice cubes to fancy up basic water and encourage all-day sipping.
Utensils for A+ Lunches
Say no to single-use plastic utensils and send reusable sets instead. My son’s lunch kit always includes a fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks, and straw. These can be assembled from home or you can send sustainable bamboo for a safer option. They're lightweight, easy to clean, and completely compostable at the end of their life. Add an adorable reusable cloth napkin to wipe up spills, and your small people are ready for whatever the playground/lunchroom throws their way!
Smart Snacks, Happy Planet
Instead of pre-packaged snacks, consider packing a Planet Box Bento Box. These bento boxes are fantastic for packing a variety of homemade and fresh foods, reducing the need for single-use packaging. The multiple compartments make it easy to portion out fruits, veggies, nuts, and homemade treats, keeping everything sorted and fresh. Bento-style lunches are a fun way to control the ingredients and portions your kids get while offering a wide variety of options (great for picky eaters). Plus, these bento boxes are incredibly durable and easy to maintain. I’ve chatted with people who have used the same Planet Boxes for 10 years—that’s not just sustainably smart, it’s economically smart!
By adding any of these low-waste, sustainable lunch ideas to your routine, you can easily reduce daily waste while still packing fun and delicious lunches. Check out plentiFILL.ca for more eco-friendly options and kick off the school year with some greener choices.