1. Tips for Packing Waste-free LunchES By Amy Hemmert

2. Typical Lunch • Main Course: Sandwich • Snack: Chips/Pretzels/popcorn • Dairy: Yogurt • Dessert: Candy/Cookies/Cereal Bars • Vegetable: Carrots/Celery • Drink: juice, fruit-flavored drink, milk, soda, water

3. Typical Lunch Packaging • Disposable drink bottle, box, pouch, can, or carton • Brown bag or large plastic bag • Baggies, foil, plastic wrap • Prepackaged foods • Spoons and forks • Paper napkins • Straws • Peels

4. “Throw away”… Where is AWAY? • Landfill • Incinerator • Recycle Center • Compost • Litter Where does all that lunch waste go?

5. But this is not sustainable. • Costs more • Requires more gas for trucks to drive a longer distance • More trucks equals more pollution • Trucks cause wear and tear on roads • Landfills fill up and we have to find space for new ones farther away from where we live.

6. And we’re throwing away good stuff. • Making stuff requires resources: • Water • Fuel • Minerals • Trees • Other?

7. Do your part. Pack a waste-free lunch. • Durable lunchbox • Reusable food containers • Refillable drink bottle • Stainless fork and spoon • Cloth napkin

8. Take it a step further… • Pack a lunch that you can truly enjoy! • Fresh • Seasonal • Organic • Locally grown • Delicious!

9. Make it fun! • Attractive Colors • Appealing Textures • Pleasing Shapes • Manageable Sizes • Appropriate Portions • Dips, Dressings, and Condiments • Seasonal Specialties • Nutritional Balance

10. Inspirational Lunches • Baked Pasta • Artichoke Bruschetta • Tamari-roasted Cashews • Spinach Salad

11. Inspirational Lunches • Organic Field Greens Salad • Dates • Sushi Rolls • Baby Carrots

12. Inspirational Lunches • Yogurt • Organic Grapes • Trail Mix • Baby Carrots

13. Inspirational Lunches • Watermelon • Whole Wheat Banana Bread • Salmon Stuffed Avocado • Sugar Snap Peas

14. Inspirational Lunches • Organic Cherries • Baby Carrots • Ranch Dressing • Whole Wheat Crackers • Mixed Unsalted Nuts

15. Inspirational Lunches • Papaya • Blueberries • Vegetable Pancake • Assorted Cheeses • Chiabatta Bread

16. Inspirational Lunches • Vegetable Gyoza • Soy Sauce • Steamed Rice • Edamame • Hum Bao • Ginger Snaps

17. Inspirational Lunches • Hummus • Whole Wheat Crackers • Blueberries • Sugar Snap Peas • Cherry Tomatoes • Sliced Cucumbers

18. Inspirational Lunches • Organic Grapes • Whole Wheat Crackers • Fresh Green Beans • Lowfat Cheddar Cheese

19. Inspirational Lunch Ideas • Blintzes • Somoza • Fresh Strawberries

20. Inspirational Lunch Ideas • Spelt Pretzels • Fresh Figs • Hard-boiled Eggs • Garden Tomatoes

21. Inspirational Lunch Ideas • Chili • Garden Salad • Corn Bread • Dates

22. Inspirational Lunch Ideas • Strawberries • Green Grapes • Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce • Green Salad

23. Inspirational Lunch Ideas • Melon Balls • Cheese Fingers • Tortilla Bats • Potato Ghosts • Eye Ball Cupcake

24. Inspirational Lunches • Veggie Balogna • Fresh Carrot • Steamed Artichoke • Fresh Apricot

25. Inspirational Lunches • Almond Butter and Apricot Jam Sandwich • Sugar Snap Peas • Fresh Cherries • Hard-boiled Egg

26. Inspirational Lunches • Field Greens Salad • Sliced Oranges • Veggie Roll-up • Pan-fried Sweet Potatoes

27. Inspirational Lunches • Peanut Butter and Jelly on Matzo • Fennel Salad • Cashews • Dried Cranberries • Dried Pears • Air-popped Popcorn

28. Inspirational Lunch Ideas • Garden Salad • Pasta with Pesto • Cucumber Tomato Salad • Tangerines and Raisins

29. Inspirational Lunch Ideas • Mexican-style Torta • Tortilla Chips • Grapes and Strawberries • Fresh Carrots

30. Inspirational Lunches • Crab Cake • Mixed Greens Salad • Sliced Pear • Sushi Roll

31. Inspirational Lunches • Chef Salad • Red and Green Grapes • French Bread

32. Inspirational Lunches • Rice • Tortilla Chips • Refried Beans • Fresh Strawberries

33. Inspirational Lunches • Asparagus Frittata • Orange Slices • Caesar Salad

34. Inspirational Lunches • Fresh Strawberries • Banana Bread • Breakfast Burrito • Fresh Carrot

35. Inspirational Lunches • Broiled Fish • Green Salad • Whole Grain Crackers • Baby Carrots • Orange Slices

36. Inspirational Lunches • Buckwheat Pasta Salad • Goldfish Crackers • Dried Fruit • Fresh Kiwi • Steamed Broccoli • Steamed Carrots

37. About wastefreelunches.org • For Schools, Teachers, Parents, Environmental Organizations • The Waste-free Lunchbox Pamphlet • Links to Important Web Sites • Success Stories • How To