You've probably already made all kinds of swaps to make your lunchtime more eco-friendly, right? But maybe there are a few easy tune-ups you've missed? There are plenty of ways to upgrade your lunchtime routines to dramatically reduce exposure to plastic toxins and the amount of trash you generate.
Wherever you are just starting your eco journey at lunchtime or you're an old pro, there's always room to take a closer look at seemingly insignificant lunchtime habits and dial in more learning and growing of plastic-free habits.
So see below on how to take your child's lunchbox from EEK! to ECO.
EEK! BPA-Free Plastic. We've all heard about the dangers of BPA (bisphenol-A). This chemical widely found in plastics mimics estrogen, so it can cause all kinds of hormone disruptions. Plastic companies have done a switcheroo and in order to label their products BPA-free, replaced it with BPS (bisphenol substitute), which some researches believe is even more toxic than BPA.
ECO! Reusable Stainless Steel. Metal is awesome for foods, right? Yes, this is true when it comes to stainless steel, which is non-toxic, lighter weight than glass, non-breakable, reusable, and easy to clean. However, not all metal is created equal. Too much aluminum in your life can cause a whole host of problems, both short- and long-term. Be safe and stick to stainless steel!
EEK! Blue Ice Packs. Keeping food cool, especially perishables that might spoil, is important, but using a blue ice pack is a poor solution when it comes to sustainability. Most people reflexively throw in an ice pack without pausing to think about the environmental downsides. Made of plastic and filled with gel beads, sodium polyacrylate and other chemicals, these blue ice packs are not recyclable and end up in the landfill where they leak into the ecosystem.
ECO! Alternative Cooling Options. Bid farewell to blue ice packs and make way for a more eco-friendly solution: steel water bottles packed with ice cubes! These are durable and long-lasting, reducing the need for single-use plastic bottles and disposable containers. You're probably going to be packing a drink for your child so why not add ice - an entirely safe and chemical-free cooling solution.
EEK! Organic Juice Boxes and Snack Packs. Keeping the kiddos hydrated & energy packed is super important as a parent. Many parents will buy organic juice boxes thinking that they are doing a good thing by keeping their kids hydrated with organics. But they don’t realize that these juice boxes really stack up in the landfill. Using a refillable bottle is much better for people and the planet.
ECO! Good Old Fashioned Hand Washing. As a parent, it's only natural, to try and keep germs at bay by sending your child to school with antibacterial hand sanitizer. But did you know that many contain triclosan, a chemical that can lead to antibiotic resistance, hormone disruption, and can actually create a weakened immune system? Encourage your child instead to simply wash up with soap and water during the school day and before lunch.
EEK! Compostable Bioplastics Cutlery. Some of the organic, pre-packaged foods tout super cute bio-plastic utensils, which give parents a good feeling that by choosing bioplastics they’re doing the right thing. But hold on a sec, how is that plastic going to compost? Who’s going to handle that? Not your local garbage company. Choose to reuse instead. For a more eco-friendly solution, pick out a stainless steel spork or bamboo utensil set.
ECO! DIY Snacks & Upcycling Projects. Kids love to help in the kitchen, so making your own snack items can be a great screen-time-reducing activity you can do together. And, as a bonus, kids are more likely to eat foods they've helped create! Work together to find recipes they'll love.
If you're not sure you're making the best EEK! to ECO swap, we can help! Check out our website at ecolunchboxes.com for more information. And for more plastic-saving tips, check out my book Say Goodbye to Plastic: A Survival Guide to Plastic-Free Living.
About the Author
Sandra Ann Harris is the founder and president of ECOlunchbox, a mission-based consumer products company. Her passion is protecting the oceans by reducing people's dependence on plastics. ECOlunchbox, a certified B Corporation and California Green Business, innovates and sells high-quality, plastic-free food container solutions. She has a diverse background in business consulting, product development, investigative journalism, and digital marketing strategy along with her work in the non-profit sector for a humanitarian aid organization. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her family.
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