Litterless Lunch Initiative at WEJ

How you pack your child’s lunch every day can really make a difference!

All classes at WEJ are encouraged to take on a waste-free (litterless) lunch initiative. We have talked about this initiative as a class already during the first few days of school. I am encouraging active and regular participation by all students and parents in reducing waste in our classroom and in our school! Listed below are some tips on waste-free lunches and websites for more information. Please also refer to the handout (“A Month of Litterless Lunch Ideas for a Balanced Day”). Please print it off and post on your fridge as a useful resource! Remember…foods high in sugar (candy, pop, etc.) are discouraged. Healthy choices are encouraged!

What is a Waste-Free (Litterless) Lunch?

A lunch that contains no throwaway packaging and produces no waste. Food and drinks are packed in reusable containers, avoiding where possible the use of prepackaged foods. Note: If there IS any packaging in your child’s lunch, it should be brought back home.

Many schools across Ontario have moved toward Waste-Free Lunches as a way to make a difference…for our environment. The main objective of this program is to encourage parents and students to review and think about the way they prepare and package lunch foods. It also teaches students about the environmental consequences of waste, and gives them an opportunity to apply their knowledge in their daily lives.

Tips for a Waste-Free Lunch:

• ask your child to participate in packing their lunch (there is less chance of wasted food if the child has a say in what they want to eat)
• pack drinks, sandwiches and snacks in reusable containers
• use a cloth napkin
• use non-disposable cutlery (stainless steel)
• bring a reusable lunch bag or box to school
• pack fruit that comes in its own “natural” packaging (i.e.: clementines, apples, bananas). Your child can put these peels in the empty reusable containers to be then placed in your green bin at home!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks for helping to make a difference!