Lunch Boxes Go Green

Go Green lunch box

How cool is my kids' school? Today the SRC introduced a 'no packaging' for lunch initiative that was a real eye-opener. Basically, kids had to bring all food stuffs in reusable containers - no plastic, no packaging, no throwaways of any kind. The only garbage bin being offered to the kids today is a compost bin for fruit skins.

Not even batting an eyelid, I set about unpackaging the lunch I had already packed for the kids the night before. Armed with a line-up of teensy containers, I opened the first package... and emptied it inside a container. Then I opened the next package. And the next package and the next package. And soon - to my utter horror - I had a mountain of packets and a surprisingly small collection of containers, all fitting snug within the confines of the lunch boxes.

I pride myself on offering my children balanced and nutritious food. Sure, I sneak in Tiny Teddy packets and no-added-sugar fruit straps and pre-packaged cheese and crackers here and there. Hey - sometimes, in a pinch, I even provide their second piece of fruit in a fruit cup.

But it really horrified me to see not only how much packaging I was adding to the landfill issue, but the bland colour of everything once opened. I mean, almost everything was either yellow, beige or brown.

For the sake of convenience and speed, I realise I have been doing it all wrong. And things need to change.

Not only did I realise that offering my kids a rubbish-free lunch was fabulous for the environment, it was also a great way to see exactly what we're feeding our kids and how well it balances out on the food pyramid. When you de-package and view (I recommend clear plastic containers) the colour and genre of the food you are feeding your children, it will really tweak something in your brain - you may surprise yourself how inadequate a typical school lunch can be, despite best intentions.

If those clever SRC kids wanted to make an impact on parents today - they've achieved their green mission. Well done, kids.

Want to convert your kid's lunch box from a pile of paper and plastic to a lean, green nutrition machine? Check out these fab sites offering a tempting range of perfect plastic-free packaging. They may seem a little expensive, but they are incredibly well-made and will save you a fortune in packaging and having to buy new lunch boxes as the old ones wear out.

Nude Food Movers (also available at many supermarkets)
Eco Store
Kids Konserve Re-usable wrapping
Biome (an emormous range of varying products from stainless steel to wrappings)
Ubeaut Kidz
Earthology
Shop Naturally

Tips on packing a litter-free lunchbox
Information on safe lunchbox plastics