As children across Neath Port Talbot prepare to go back to school, parents are being encouraged to pack waste-free lunch boxes to help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill each year.
School packed lunches often means crisp packets and other snack wrappers, drinks cartons, and lots of resulting waste which is often sent straight to landfill sites. A few simple changes can help reduce this waste.
Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Ali Thomas, said, “Eliminating waste before it’s created is one of the many ways we can all help to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill sites and the school or office lunch box is a great place to start.
“Not only can we help the environment by cutting down on excess waste, but we could save money too, as pre-packaged food is often more expensive.
“It’s easy to cut down on lunchbox waste by choosing something that’s re-usable or recyclable instead. We can also use our purchasing power to choose products that have the least packaging. Buying loose fruit and vegetables and re-using a lunchbox can all help reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill as well as saving us money on the weekly shopping bill.”
The Council has put together a few top tips for a waste free lunch.
1. Try using a reusable flask or bottle for school drinks instead of a carton or plastic bottle;
2. Avoid using foil, cling film or storage bags to wrap sandwiches and use a re-usable lunchbox instead;
3. Swap individually wrapped biscuits and crisps for packaging-free fruit and vegetables;
4. If you do put fruit in lunchboxes remember any fruit peelings or cores can be composted at home;
5. Use metal spoons instead of disposable plastic cutlery.
