Eco-Friendly Essentials for a Sustainable School Year
Dare we say the words ‘Back to school’. It's coming up sooner than you think. We can't help you out with school uniform but when it comes to lunch, we've got you covered.
We have a large selection of reusables including water bottles and lunch boxes ready to take on the new school year (and for many years after that!). You’ll also find lots of stationery items including pens, pencil cases and notebooks.
Of course, if your old lunch boxes and bottles are still good from last term, then carry on using these 👍.
Shop all Back to School Supplies!
Best lunch box for children
If you're not sure which lunch box is right for you, take a look at our lunch box guide to find the best match!
We recommend the LunchBots Stainless Steel Medium Duo for children. With two compartments and easy to open lid, this lightweight lunchbox is perfect for children's packed lunches. It is a great idea for children when they start school as it is durable enough to last them the whole way through school. Pack a sandwich or wrap and veg sticks in one compartment and fruit or a treat like a slice of homemade cake or a couple of biscuit and be sure that they will stay separate all the way to the lunch hall! These lunch boxes are plastic free, made from stainless steel, and durable enough to last in a school bag.
Low Waste Lunch Ideas
Once you have your lunch kit sorted, it's time to think about what goes in inside. How can we make our lunches as low waste as possible? Instead of relying on lots of pre-packaged items, here are some delicious ideas and some eco-friendly tips that will not only be a hit with the kids but will also help take care of the environment too.
- Set up a DIY "Build-Your-Own" wrap station at home with a few bits and pieces like tortillas, fresh veggies, hummus, and grilled chicken strips - if they choose and make their own they'll definitely be much more likely to eat all of it, meaning no waste!
- Create a colourful bento box filled with bite-sized fruit skewers, cheese cubes, crackers and mini sandwiches.
- Bake homemade cookies, granola bars, or energy balls, and place them in reusable snack bags.
- Layer yogurt, granola, and fresh berries in a small container for a healthy sweet treat.
- Sneak in some veggies by baking savoury muffins with grated carrots, courgette, or spinach.
- Bored or sandwiches? Make mini quiches using a muffin tin and fill them with diced ham, cheese, and finely chopped veggies.
- Invest in an insulated food jar. Great for soups or pasta, they keep food warm for several hours – perfect for those chillier winter days.
- Turn dinner leftovers into an exciting lunch for the next day and you'll be helping to reduce food waste.
- Buy large packs of crisps, popcorn and dried fruit, decant into smaller reusable containers. Although this won't completely eliminate plastic, it's an effective way to cut down on it.
For more lunch tips and ideas, read our journal: Making snacks and drinks plastic free
