Why is this important?
Quite simply if we use less packaging in our lunchboxes, we will generate less waste.
The problem with food wrap…
- For your health: some studies have shown that PVC and other plastics used in plastic wraps leach into food on contact, in particular fat foods (e. g. cheese) and when heated. These plastic components are hormone disrupters possibly causing reproduction problems and cancers.
- For the environment: Non recyclable, they just accumulate in landfill and in nature, where they take a 100 to 1000 years to decompose.
- They are not sustainable: Made from petroleum -which is in limited supply- they are thrown out after just one use! What a muck-up!
How to?
Use compartment lunchboxes
And fill them with snacks bought by bulk (cheaper too), fruits, and sandwiches just held together by the pressure of the box.
Use reusable packaging
- Reusable sandwich wraps by Otago company Ginger Pye or EcoTanka
- Sistema boxes or naked food boxes, or even EcoLunchBox in in stainless steel
- I have been using waxed paper to wrap sandwiches. It is reusable about 10 times and then is good to light the fire.
Eat simpler foods
Consider the difference in energy and resources use between an apple and an individually wrapped apple sauce whereas it all ends up the same way! Make your own cakes and biscuits, you will avoid all the snack bars plastics, etc. Lots of ideas here.
Show your packaging free lunchbox in our meeting on Wednesdays lunchtimes in the library and you may win a Gotcha Card!
Keep your rubbish in your lunchbox
Take your rubbish home and recycle it:
- Food waste in the compost or worm farm,
- Plastics 1 to 7, cans in the recycling box
- And the rest in the bin. Be mindful that the blue bag costs $3.50 and goes in a landfill forever!
Mac Team Green's blog 