On average, one school-age child packing a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year.

Amazingly, almost all of this waste can be prevented AND save you money. According to the EPA, a child taking a prepackaged lunch to school spends an average of $4.02 a day or $723.60 per school year compared to $2.65 a day for a child who packs a waste-free lunch--a difference of $246.60. $246.60 saved just by using of reusable food and drink containers, utensils, and napkins. In addition, packing it your self allows you to select organic, fair trade, and local foods.

Challenge your family to try to have at least one waste-free lunch per week.

Additional Resources

http://www.wastefreelunches.org/

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/index.htm