I have 4 kids, and at times they have been homeschooled (unschooled) and at times they have attended public school. There are many things that rub me the wrong way about public school systems, but maybe that's for another post...about indoctrination and compliance...but...that's not for today! What I am sharing today is how I have eliminated waste from lunch packing. This could apply to children and adults.
Regardless of who the lunch is for, the alarming amount of disposable plastic that we create needlessly every day, the cost of that disposability both financially and environmentally, and the mentality of waste it fosters is so uncomfortable to me.
Obvious opportunities to cut waste right out is a reusable lunch bag. The same goes for sending real cutlery instead of tossable plastic ones.
But what about everything else? Is it possible to send a lunch with NO plastic? Sure is! Here are a few different options....
A leather lunch bag
This bag has served me for years through university and an office job. It is still in great condition and a gorgeous lunch option. I made this from some discount leather at Tandy Leather about 6 years ago and lined it with some fabric from the discount crate at the fabric store.
Rather than using plastic containers, jars make a great alternative. I have found some reusable metal tops for them from time to time (the type of jars you buy jam in are perfect for this purpose...but are NOT water tight).
Eliminating plastic wrap and plastic containers for sandwiches has proven a bit more difficult. It took me a while to let go of that one. However, some parchment paper or wax paper is perfect for folding up a sandwich! (step by step photos for folding up a sandwich are at the end)
I have also made some reusable sandwich wrap sheets using squares of fabric dipped in bees wax then pressed with an iron (make sure to put some paper between before ironing). You then crinkle it up repeatedly so it softens up (a bunch of wax flakes will fall off or you can scrape them off to speed up the process). This also works GREAT as a sandwich wrap. The sheet can be washed with your dishes and used for years! And it's purdy.
I've also sewn some snack bags that are lined with a water repellent fabric (ripstop) and added velcro rather than using ziploc bags. These do work for sandwiches...but the tend to dry out faster this way.
Finally, use a glass or stainless steel drink container and some silverware and you have a fully plastic free lunch!
Whether its to save money, be more independent and rely less on corrupt systems, or to be environmentally conscious, eliminating plastic from our lunches is one step in the right direction!
From my home fire to yours, hai hai.
.
Sandwich Folding Instructions
First hold up both ends of the wrap.
Fold the ends onto each other, This locks the long end closed. Continue folding it over itself until you are all the way to the sandwich.
Pleat the sides like wrapping a box, and press it down.
Tuck the ends under the sandwich.