26/01/2021

Waste Free lunch tips

We think the amount of waste created in the UK is a load of rubbish! With landfill volumes at bursting point and plastic taking over our oceans, we’re keen to do what we can to reduce our impact.

Some waste stats to make you think

• The amount of plastic waste generated annually in the UK is estimated to be nearly 5 million tonnes (WRAP)
• There are believed to be 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean (WRAP)
• It’s believed to take between 450 and 1,000 years for plastic items to decompose
• We waste 500,000 tons of food per year worth £400 million and disposal costs another £50 million (cheaperwaste)
• Organic matter creates harmful gases such as methane when it breaks down in landfill - take it out of your bin and pop it in a composter.

To do our bit, Barracudas has created the ‘waste free lunch challenge’. We’d like to encourage the children attending our activity camps to create as little waste as possible from the lunches brought in to camp. The added benefit is this could also save you a pretty packet!

We’ve come up with some useful tips to help parents create a waste free lunch

Tips for creating a waste free lunch

• Use a reusable container for sandwiches or wrap in kitchen roll / greaseproof paper (which can be composted) instead of foil and clingfilm  
• Bring drinks in a reusable bottle rather than cartons or foil pouches  
• Instead of buying separate individual servings of snacks (yoghurt, raisins, biscuits, crisps etc), buy one large pack and then put a serving each day in a smaller reusable container - also a money-saver!
• Use cutlery that can be washed and used again  
• Choose fruit as your snack of choice, not only is this a healthy option, but the leftovers can be composted - win-win!
• Only pack what they can eat. This will save your pocket, as well as the environment!
• Check what they like and don’t like - don’t waste time and money putting something in that’ll just end up in the bin
• Waste not, want not - pack up last nights leftovers in reusable containers for a lunch time treat

Things to avoid in a waste free lunch  

• Foil or clingfilm  
• Individually packed items i.e. yoghurt, biscuits, fruit, cheese, chocolate, crisps
• Drinks in cartons or foil pouches

Tips for reducing your workload

• If you don't do so already, try packing lunches the night before and keeping them in the fridge overnight
• Make extra of your evening meal to include in the lunch pack

Get the kids involved!

• They could be responsible for adding the ice pack and placing their own lunchbox near the door or in the car
• Teach your older children how to make nutritious, waste free lunches and then let them make their own lunches - and any younger siblings too!
• Older children can also be responsible for washing their reusable lunch containers or rinsing them and putting them in the dishwasher
• Children of all ages can take responsibility for putting recyclables in the recycle bin

Small changes really can make a difference. By making minor adjustments we can all help reduce the negative impact we have on the environment. These waste free lunch tips are an easy way to be part of the solution. Not only that, but it’s a good opportunity to educate your children and help them to develop some core skills, as well as potentially saving you money!

Bring on the challenge!