A Litterless Lunch is a waste-free approach where all food and drinks are packed in reusable containers within a reusable lunch bag. This includes any leftovers or packaging, which go back home with the student. This is also known as a ‘boomerang lunch’ because everything that comes to school goes back home.
This program helps families do their part for the environment by ensuring that all uneaten food, wrappers, and containers are properly recycled, composted, or disposed of at home. It also allows parents to see what their children are actually eating, preventing unopened or uneaten items from being wasted at school. This reduces food waste, keeps schools cleaner, and helps prevent pests like wasps, which are often attracted to food scraps left in school waste bins.
Tips for a Litterless Lunch
- Reusable Containers: Pack sandwiches, snacks, and leftovers in reusable containers.
- Reusable Bags: Use an insulated lunch bag instead of disposable plastic bags or wrappers.
- Bulk Buying: Purchase snacks and other items in bulk and portion them into smaller reusable containers to reduce single-use packaging.
- Reusable Drink Bottles: Use a reusable water bottle or thermos instead of single-use juice boxes or cans.
- Reusable Utensils: Include a set of reusable cutlery and a cloth napkin.
- Composting: Bring a separate container for fruit peels and other compostable items to take home.
- Leftovers: Use leftovers from dinner in a thermal container for a warm, waste-free meal.
Benefits of a Litterless Lunch
- Reduces Waste: Significantly decreases the amount of waste sent to landfills.
- Promotes Sustainability: Teaches children and adults about environmental responsibility and waste reduction.
- Saves Money: Reusable items are more cost-effective over time.
- Keeps Schools Cleaner: Reduces the amount of trash on school grounds and the workload for custodial staff.
For more information on what to recycle or compost, you can use the City of Ottawa's Waste Explorer tool.