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Think Inside the Box
In observance of National School Lunch Week 2009 (October 12 - 16), take a closer look at what you are eating at the noon-time meal.  This campaign is all about eating healthy and being active.  Let's add a layer of goodness and pack healthy and waste-free lunches.  Since the average American child produces 67 pounds of trash each year from school lunch alone, switching to a waste-free lunches can make a huge difference.  While we are at it, there is no reason we can't all make sure we are packing our lunches in the healthiest way possible - for ourselves and the planet.  

What Makes It Green?
A few easy adjustments to how we pack our lunches can make a big impact on what we expose our food to and the amount of trash we create.  

First, make sure that your carrier of choice is a safe one.  Check for PVC, Teflon and lead, which are all known toxins found in many lunch bags/boxes.  Also consider reusable sandwich and snack bags instead of disposable plastic "baggies", which end up in landfills and our waterways.  

Packaging is a huge consideration in a waste-free lunch.  Although those single serving juices and snacks are convenient, their packaging adds literal mountains of waste to our landfills and use up valuable resources.  Consider buying in bulk instead.  

Another easy change is to switch to reusable napkins (to save a tree or two or three).  Cloth napkins can be a great way to add color and personality to your lunch routine.  While you are at it, ditch the disposable utensils and drinks - go with reusable ones.  That was easy, wasn't it?  Now you can "stick a fork in it" - your done!     

What You Can Do
Here are ways to make your lunch a little greener:

Each year, Americans throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags and less than 1% are recycled.  Making a switch to reusable snack and sandwich bags can make a big difference on the number of plastic bags in landfills and the environment.

I like using my To-Go Ware utensil set.  It's durable, convenient and easy to clean.  As an added benefit, the carrying case is hand woven by Burmese refugee women.  By using it, I'm able to make a positive impact on the global community as well as the environment.