Top tips for waste free lunch boxes
Have you been tasked by your child's school with packing a waste free lunch box? It's a great idea, here are some tips, kid-friendly recipes and products to make it easy.
Why pack a waste free lunch box?
The latest research from the Government of Western Australia (see more here) found that a child’s packed school lunch creates about 3kg of waste per child each year. Multiply that by 350 kids in an average primary school, and that’s over 10 tonnes of waste every year - just from one school! It’s clear that making a small switch to eco-friendly alternatives can make a huge difference to what goes into landfill.
What is a waste free lunch box?
A waste-free lunch box focuses on reducing single-use packaging like plastic wrap, foil and disposable snack packs. Instead, it uses reusable containers, refillable bottles and homemade snacks that create little to no rubbish at the end of the day.
It’s better for the environment, easier on the budget long-term and helps kids build sustainable habits early.
How do you pack a waste free lunch? Easy tips for packing waste-free lunches
1. Choose reusable containers: Bento-style lunch boxes, silicone snack bags and small reusable tubs are perfect for separating foods without extra packaging.
2. Skip single-use wrappers: Replace cling wrap and foil with beeswax wraps or containers that seal well and can be used again and again.
3. Pack whole foods where possible: Fresh fruit, veggie sticks, sandwiches and leftovers naturally create less waste than individually wrapped snacks.
4. Think refill, not replace: Use refillable drink bottles and yoghurt pouches instead of disposable versions.
5. Get kids involved: Letting kids help choose snacks or pack their lunch makes them more likely to eat everything — less food waste, too.
6. Reusable cutlery: Swap out single-use plastic utensils for biodegradable or reusable cutlery.
7. Homemade snacks: Even small amounts of packaging on snacks like muesli bars and a box of sultanas have an impact. Make these snacks at home or buy them in bulk so the kids can still enjoy them without waste. These nut-free muesli bars are a great option, or these fruit and nut popcorn balls.
8. Make your own baked goods: Making your own baked goods is often much cheaper than buying them. Freezer-friendly recipes are especially convenient to batch cook, and they can be put straight into the lunch box while frozen and they will defrost by recess.
9. Whole fruit: send fruits such as apples, bananas and mandarins to school to skip any extra packaging.
Making eco-friendly lunches stick
Start small. Swap one packaged item at a time, reuse what you already own and focus on progress, not perfection. Even a few waste-free swaps each week can make a meaningful difference over a school term. With the right habits, recipes and a little planning, packing a waste-free lunch box becomes second nature - and something the whole family can feel good about.
More waste free lunch box ideas
Scroll through recipes below that you can pop into your kids’ lunch boxes. Check out these No-sandwich Lunch Ideas, and Healthier Snacks for even more inspiration.
GET THE RECIPE: Roasted Capsicum and Eggplant Pizza Scrolls by Perfect Italiano
GET THE RECIPE: Cheese and Broccoli Fingers by Australian Eggs
GET THE RECIPE: Healthy Plum Slice by Summer Stonefruit
