Litter Free Lunches Year 5
Litter Free Lunches - YEAR 5
Much of the rubbish that we generate and send to landfill comes from the packaging on the food we buy, and lunch foods are no exception.
In fact, it has been estimated that on average a school-age child using a disposable lunch generates three pieces of litter per day, which equates to 30 kg of waste per year. This works out to be 15 tonnes of waste produced by a school of 500 students each year from lunch boxes alone!
Based around the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), litter free lunches are lunches that contain food items with no disposable packaging or single use items, such as pre-packaged foods, plastic bags, juice poppers, bottled water, disposable utensils, plastic straws or food wrapped in cling wrap or foil.
Instead, all food is provided in reusable food and drink containers, so that there is no packaging to place into the bin and the majority of the waste produced is organic (i.e. food scraps) which can be recycled via compost bins
Benefits of litter-free school lunches include:
- students eating healthier lunches, as they are being provided with less pre-packaged 'gimmicky' snack foods and more fresh food in appropriate amounts
- less waste being produced and sent to landfill
- cheaper lunches, as food items bought in bulk are less expensive than pre-packaged products
- a reduction in waste collection and disposal costs to the school, as less waste is being generated by the school community
- providing students with a practical example of how simple behaviour change can easily address a widespread environmental issue
- promotion of environmental stewardship and advocacy within the school
- a cleaner school (research has shown that less litter is dropped in areas free of litter compared to areas where litter is more noticeable)
Introducing a litter-free lunch day or program is a great way to reduce the amount of rubbish coming into your school.
The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2020
Going forward, we are proposing a litter free lunch day. Where for one day we will avoid single use packaging. We have a lot to celebrate at our school and many families are already doing this. We can use these children and their amazing lunches as inspiration. We are calling these families our ‘litter free lunch champions’. We will keep you posted for the date of our term 3, “Litter Free Lunch Day”. The Year Five students have written a persuasive writing piece about why Litter Free Lunches are important. Below is Erin Ward’s very persuasive writing piece on litter free lunches.
Litter Free Lunch Champions
A Litter Free Lunch
By: Erin Ward
Are you sick of watching litter being thrown in the bin? I undoubtedly believe that it should stop. You can do that by having a litter free lunch! My reasons to persuade you to have one are that it is a healthier and organic food option, it is ecological for the school and its community, and lunches will save you money. All schools must attempt a litter free lunch at once!
To begin with, litter free lunches inspire healthier and natural food choices. Firstly, foods that come in packages have been processed and are less healthy. If you try a litter free lunch, students are eating improved foods which therefore give them power and energy to learn. Natural foods do not arrive in packets so students will obviously be eating healthier at school and wasting less rubbish. Hold a litter free lunch at your school now!
Another point to consider is that litter free lunches are environmental for your school and their community. During waste free lunches packets are not found in lunchboxes therefore minimal rubbish is being left around your school and there is a smaller chance of sea animals dying due to rubbish and plastic that is floating in the ocean. Natural foods are not found in packets so children will not be wasting plastics. Another idea could consider composting the fruits and vegetables that are not edible such as banana peels, apple cores and other scraps that can help your school environment. You can help your school by using containers instead. Persuade your principal for a litter free lunch now!
Finally, litter free lunches include less expensive lunches. Fruits and vegetables that you will find at the shops cost less than packeted rubbish that does not fill your children with the nutrients they need in a day. These lunches can save you a lot of money and you can feel full of healthy vitamins while you do it! Litter free lunches need to happen in every school!
To conclude, I undoubtedly, strongly believe that you MUST have a litter free lunch! They include healthier and natural food choices, it is environmental for your school and its community and you can save money while you eat healthy. You can make a big difference by using containers instead of plastic bags and wrap. Litter free lunches must happen everywhere!