Kindred Gifts' Blog

Today Meagan shares: Tips for Packing a Waste-Free Lunch

Thankfully, "waste-free lunch days” are becoming more and more prevalent in schools and workplaces, although at first the task can seem a bit daunting. But, with a bit of planning and the right tools and ingredients, packing a waste free lunch can become a part of your daily rhythm. 

Here are some tips to get your started:

Sandwiches

Sandwich wraps can be made easily with just a few supplies. If you’re brave enough, try this tutorial. Otherwise you can always purchase them to be used over and over again. If you’re worried your sandwich might get soggy and you think your child will be up for making their own, pack the sliced tomato and any dressings in a little container for them to put together at lunchtime. 

Left-overs

Left-over soups and stews can be reheated in the morning and put into a thermos with a lid that also acts as a bowl. If you’re doing this for a small child make sure the soup isn’t too hot when you put it in. A thermos can hold heat very well and the soup will come out steaming even hours later. Don’t forget to pack a spoon!

Salads

Pasta salads, green salads, quinoa salads and alike can be put in a container with loads of veggies, cubed cheese or chopped egg. Store the dressing on the side. We love re-using mini vegemite containers for dressings and sauces because they don’t leak.

Drinks

Our stainless steel water bottles go with us everywhere. Kindred Gifts carries gorgeous styles by One Bottle to choose from. If you want to pack some tea or a warm broth on a cold day warm it up in the morning and pour it into a thermos to enjoy later.

Snacks

A lot of waste in lunches can come from pre-packaged snacks. These are easy to imitate and much more healthy when you are selecting the ingredients yourself:

Whole bananas, apples, pears and mandarins make for excellent finger food. For a special treat cut some fruit up and put it in a container with a bit of orange or apple juice for homemade fruit salad.

Sliced veggies, pita and crackers all go nicely with homemade hummus, cream cheese or baba ganoush. Use a small vegemite jar or a small BPA-free plastic container to store dips in. 

Hard boiled eggs are a regular packed snack in our household: full of protein, delicious and completely waste-free. You can choose to remove the shell at home or out and about. Just depending on who it is who will be doing the peeling. 

Cheese blocks can be cut into cubes or sticks and kept in a small container. 

You can make your own ‘snack bag’ or buy fun ready-made options, like these Fluf organic cotton Snack Packs (above) to put cookies, squares, biscuits, popcorn, sultanas, or dried fruit in. 

Napkins and Cutlery

Cloth napkins made from natural materials like organic cotton, hemp or bamboo fabrics are readily available online or in stores, or if you’re feeling creative you can make your own napkins and placemats easily.

A Lunchbag

Finally, no waste-free lunch would be complete without a lunchbag to carry it in.

The Fluf Organic Cotton Lunchbags are adorable and come in a huge range of designs to suit a variety of ages and personalities. 

Packing a waste-free lunch can be stress free and enjoyable. Cutting out packaging often means cutting out the preservatives, flavourings and colourings that come with it. Homemade food will always be more delicious and nutritious. And above all else, waste-free lunches make for a healthier, happier planet.