Tips for packing a waste-free lunch

Imagine the impact if at the end of lunch hour, no one had garbage to throw out. Packing a waste-free lunch is a simple change you can make for the environment that doesn't have to take a lot of time.

Here at the Rocky Workshop in Canmore, we recently removed our garbage bins from the kitchen altogether; replacing them with multiple bins for paper, plastic, glass, metal recycling, and food waste to be composted. Even if there are items that cannot be recycled, it makes you think twice about whether or not you needed it to begin with.

Here's a few simple tips to make your lunch more earth-friendly:

1. Use reusable containers: Pack your sandwich or leftovers in a washable, reusable container. Glass containers are recommended over plastic if you are reheating your lunch in the microwave. Avoid one-time use wrappers like sandwich bags, plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Sure, they're recyclable but if you can reduce use that's even better. Beeswax-coated fabric wrappers from Abeego are a great alternative - not only are they food safe and washable, they allow food to breathe, helping your food stay fresh for longer. (They're a Canadian company too!)
2. Choose whole foods or buy bulk: When purchasing your groceries, notice where you are in the grocery store. Your fresh foods and main essentials will usually be found on the perimeter of the store, leaving the middle aisles for packaged goods that are often non-essential. Buying whole fruits and veggies, and snacks or drinks in bulk sizes with minimal packaging can help to minimize waste.
3. Use a reusable bottle or thermos for your drink: Water is obviously the healthiest liquid sidekick for your meal but if you opt to have something else, stow it in a reusable cup or mug. Buy bulk and stop paying deposit fees on individual juice boxes or bottles. If you buy your coffee, most cafés offer a discount when you bring your own thermos.
4. Use a fabric napkin & real cutlery: Not all recycling facilities are able to recycle plastic cutlery. Bring your own metal stuff and a fabric napkin from home. These little touches are not only good for the environment but can make your meal away from home a little cozier.

As a rule of thumb, think of the 3 R's: reduce, reuse and recycle. They're in this order for a reason! Wherever you can reduce the use of packaging and waste - do it. This starts with the decisions you make at the grocery store. Before you rip off a plastic bag to hold your produce think about if you really need it at all. Perhaps a fabric mesh bag would work instead.

Reuse is second. Keeping a set of plastic produce bags from your last grocery shop and reuse them. Recycle is your last resort. It still takes a lot of energy and resources to recycle materials.

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