It’s the last week of summer and we can almost hear it – the collective sigh of parents throughout the UK, preparing to return soon to routine, putting a close to the days of holiday clubs, endless expensive activities and requests for snacks. But, of course, the demands of parenthood don’t stop there, and the return to school brings new challenges, fresh routines and even more food preparation.
Packed lunches are a staple of school life, and for many, sustainability is an afterthought, following convenience, nutrition and affordability. But we’re here to prove that you don’t need to make huge changes to start thinking green, one lunch box at a time.
How to pack a sustainable school lunch box.
First up, your hardware.
Always remember to reuse and reimagine! The most eco-friendly option is not to buy anything new at all, so look at what you’ve already got first. Perhaps there’s an old biscuit tin that can be turned into a lunch box lurking in the corner of a cupboard!
If that’s not an option, forgo any single use plastic containers or sandwich bags, and go for reusable containers made from stainless steel or silicone instead. Bamboo cutlery is a great sustainable option, and if you can get your hands on some beeswax wraps, use these instead of plastic wrap. Always avoid single use plastic bottles, opting for reuseable stainless steel water bottles instead.
Waste-free and sustainable lunch box hits.
Make your meals and snacks
It’s always a good idea to cook in bulk and freeze for easy meals and snacks that can be brought out the evening before, and making your meals and snacks is a great way to cut down on plastic packaging waste. But, we know that it’s difficult for working parents to dedicate the time to constantly cooking meals, so don’t feel guilty if you can’t always do this. Parents put enough pressure on themselves!
Buy in bulk (and avoid individual plastic wrapping!)
When you’re shopping, buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste (and to avoid extra carbon emissions from lots of trips to the shops). Think sharing bags of crisps or popcorn, then dish them out into individual lunchbox portions over the course of the week. This will use less plastic than individual wrapped items, and you’ll get to snaffle a handful of snacks as your fee for repping.
Taking this approach may also be better for your child’s health, as many ultra-processed foods, such as crisps or even cereal bars, come individually wrapped. They’re convenient, which makes them an attractive option for lunch boxes, but if you can replace them with unwrapped whole foods (see the section below), you might be making better choices for the environment AND your child.
What to buy for more sustainable school lunches
If you can, always try to choose locally grown and organic produce for a smaller carbon footprint, due to reduced transportation. Look to buy whole foods like fruits, veggies, nuts and grains with minimal packaging to reduce your environmental footprint and go veggie or vegan for added eco-credibility, as industrial meat production, particularly beef, contributes to global greenhouse emissions.
What to put in your lunchbox
The basics of a brilliant packed lunch
Children’s food brand Pots for Tots has a great infographic and blog post on the elements of a nutritionally balanced packed lunch, and it’s a lot more simple than you might think! They suggest:
- One portion of a starchy carbs (think bread, wraps, pasta)
- One protein source (chicken, tofu or even cheese)
- One dairy option (yoghurt, portion of cheese)
- One fruit and/or veg (sliced apple, cucumber, carrots)
The NHS also has some great advice about healthier lunchboxes for children, including tips AND recipes for busy parents; have a look at that here.
Zero waste lunchbox ideas, and ways to avoid food waste
This wonderful blog from Green Squirrell is full of sustainable recipes (including links to each!), including sandwich fillings, snacks AND desserts. Yum!
This blog from Cambridge Sustainable Food has some brilliant tips for avoiding food waste – here are a few of our favourite:
- Stop foods from getting squashed and crushed which often leads to wastage
- Keep an eye on what is regularly coming home uneaten, and avoid these in the future. And, ask your kids to keep anything that’s left, and compost it.
- Offer choices, as children are more likely to pick what they enjoy and eat it all up.
- Freeze foods to make them last longer. Did you know you can butter frozen bread to make a sandwich, which will be defrosted by lunch time!
We’ve got lots of love for leftovers.
Who says lunches have to be sandwiches and crisps? Pack your kids off to school with leftovers from the previous night!
Government research shows that 6.0 million tonnes of food and drink, worth £17 billion, was wasted in UK households in 2022, which is around 210 kg per household or 88 kg per person per year. 73% of this was made up of edible parts (e.g. bread, meat, fruit). One way of super simple way of avoiding this – leftovers! This means food gets eaten up and avoids boring sandwiches every day – a win win.
Saying hello to sustainable school days
If you’re hoping to start the new school year sustainably, lunch boxes are a great place to start. And don’t forget to take it one step further by picking up a pre-loved second-hand uniform from your school’s Uniformd store!
