Not to mention, that fast and convenient disposable items seem to save time in the morning, but are they saving us money, our health, and the environment? This is what the team at Wild Mint set to find out.
To begin, we asked ourselves, what makes a lunch non-toxic and waste-free? Everything packed should be able to be eaten, reused, recycled or composted. To help avoid exposure to toxic chemicals in lunches, lunch gear should also be free from BPA, phthalates, PVCs, lead, and other heavy metals.
How to Pack a Waste-Free Lunch
- Instead of a disposable paper bag, pack a reusable lunch bag
- Use a reusable bottle instead of a disposable drink bottle or carton
- Try reusable utensils such as bamboo or stainless steel instead of plastic utensils
- Pack a cloth napkin instead of paper napkins
- Instead of plastic baggies, foil or plastic wrap, get reusable snack and sandwich bags
- Use reusable food containers instead of buying prepackaged foods
- If a straw is necessary, opt for glass or stainless steel instead of plastic
After extensive research, we found that packing a reusable, waste-free lunch was not only cheaper, healthier, and more environmentally friendly than a disposable lunch, but also something that could be accomplished efficiently with some time saving tips!

Waste-Free Lunches Cut Back on Expenses Too
Based on research and advice from family, friends, and bloggers, we determined that a typical school lunch and snack consists of the following:
- Main Course (examples: leftovers from healthy dinners, a sandwich, pasta, pizza, salad with roll, etc.)
- Snack (granola, crackers, yogurt, nuts, etc.)
- Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Fruit (apple, banana, strawberries, etc.)
- Vegetable (carrots, celery, broccoli, etc.)
- Drink (juice, water, milk)
With this in mind, we calculated the estimated costs of packing a healthy, organic school lunch and afternoon snack in both disposable and reusable packaging, and were amazed by the results:
The Savings Per Child Per School Year: $417.60
By packing a reusable, waste free lunch, parents could save an estimated $2.32 per child per day, which comes out to a total of $417.60 per child per school year. That’s well over $400 that could go back into your family’s budget for bills, groceries, and more!
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