“Sure—once you get into the habit of packing garbage-free lunches, it’s pretty easy. Here are some tips:

- The least-expensive re-usable package for sandwiches is regular zip-lock bags. We have a plastic bag “tree” in our kitchen next to our dish-drying rack. We bought this wooden gadget http://www.greenfeet.com/itemdesc.asp?kw=Plastic-Bag-Dryer&ic=6005-04087-0000&eq=&gclid=CKORj72ZnJwCFRFMagodJA9Fcw but I’ve always thought that it would be a fun project to try to make with the kids, even give as gifts! We just wash our bags thoroughly like you would any plate or cup, rinse well and hang out to dry. Eventually the bags do wear out and you can recycle them with other thin-film plastic bags
- Another, perhaps more fun, way to eliminate the sandwich wrap garbage from your lunches is “wrap n’ mats.” They are like mini-placemats that are fabric on one side, plastic on the other. They fold up around the sandwich and Velcro shut. They can be wiped clean easily. And another perk: the wrap-n’-mat serves as a little platcemat to eat off of! There are a variety of sources for these handy mats. Try googling “wrap n mat” and shop for the best price. They run about $7 each when you buy at least 4 and account for shipping. It’s another item that looks easy to make, but sometimes even with the best of intentions we just don’t get around to it!
- Some people are concerned about food being in contact with plastic. (I don’t have a problem with this, unless it’s going into the microwave). For those who are concerned about plastic, there is a plastic-free alternative to the wrap n’ mat, made by a company called Abeego. The product is hand-made, and therefore much pricier (about $18 per wrap). http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6088523
- Pack cut-up fruit or veggies in small plastic containers that can be washed.
- Buy snack items that are not individually wrapped, like crackers, cheese, peanut-butter pretzels. Again, I’ve looked up recipes for granola bars that can be made at home: http://www.joyfulabode.com/2008/04/11/homemade-granola-bar-recipe-no-high-fructose-corn-syrup-in-these-bars/You may have some recipe for a healthy cookie or bar that you could make and freeze or store for lunches. Replacing dried fruit with tiny chocolate chips in these recipes usually makes them pretty popular…
- Use cloth napkins instead of paper. We have a separate tall basket for used cloth napkins and dish towels in our kitchen, so they all get washed together once a week, easier to fold and put away quickly. If your kids barely use their napkins (but you still feel compelled to provide them with one), use a Sharpie or fabric marker to put each child’s initial on their own napkin to cut down on laundry.
- Wash and re-use plastic utensils (or use any re-usable utensils).
- Get a stainless steel thermos—it really adds to the variety you can pack for your kids’ lunches, too. http://shopthermos.com/detail/TMS+2330P
- This one is obvious at this point: use a re-usable water bottle.

All of this probably translates to more time on somebody’s part, washing out the re-usable containers and cloth napkins. But if you integrate it into your normal routine it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. And when you consider all of the packaging you are avoiding adding to land-fills, you may think it’s worth the effort. By the way: you can try getting your kids to wash out their own lunches right when they get home (or whenever works best)—let me know how that goes!”