Volume 29 Issue 27 04 Sep 2020 15 Elul 5780

Sustainable lunchboxes

Sustainable lunchboxes

Hi everyone, this week’s article is on sustainable lunchboxes or in other words, ways to make school lunches more eco-friendly. The easiest way to do so is through making the small change from single-use lunch packaging to something much more sustainable. So let’s begin by looking at why single-use packagings such as plastic wrap aren’t great friends with Mother Nature.

Single-use plastic wrap, discovered in a lab by accident in the 1930s, is now sold by over 100 different brand names and is one of the greatest friends in the kitchen. So if we have been using it for so long, what’s wrong with it and why should we be so GLAD to see it go? Plastic wrap has detrimental effects on the environment. In our oceans, plastic wrap contributes to a larger plastic pollution crisis that threatens marine habitats due to the chemicals’ abilities to collect bacteria and metals. It also is rarely recycled due to its tendency to clog machines in recycling plants. Furthermore, in landfill or incinerators, it releases highly toxic chemicals. All-in-all, plastic wrap is a big no-no when it comes to everyday use. So say no more to single-use plastic wrap with sustainable alternatives. Making the switch to sustainable alternatives can be as easy as reusing sandwich bags and paper bags, buying reusable lunch bags, as well as investing in PVC and BPA free Tupperware (or recycling containers at home). 

Additionally, we wanted to bring your attention to beeswax wraps – another great option for sustainable packaging. Beeswax wraps are an excellent alternative, made from coating organic cotton in a mixture of beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin. It is reusable and lasts from 8 to 12 months (or more if well looked after), essentially an entire school year! And, it is much more cost-efficient than purchasing rolls upon rolls of cling wrap or boxes upon boxes of zip-lock bags. Even better, once your eco-friendly packaging has reached the end of its life, it can be composted and help your garden!

Our Year 12 sustainable friends are hosting a sale of their own homemade beeswax wraps on Friday 4 September. All funds raised are going towards the Wheen Bee Foundation, an organisation who strives to save the dwindling honeybee population. 

Otherwise, there are countless websites and stores online such as Beeswax Wraps Australia that sell beeswax wraps and other sustainable packagings. Or you can always make them at home from scratch. Hopefully, you can join us in making the change to more sustainable lunchboxes and feel great about giving nature a helping hand. Take care.

For any extra information or help, feel free to contact us at:

Max Kidman, Lara Fosbery, Ari Merten and Ruben Mihalovich