Skip the individual snack packages.

One of the things that causes unnecessary waste in our communities is all the individual packaging. It also causes unnecessary spending, as those individual packages cost more than the big bags of the same item.

For example, lots of chip brands come in small packages to easily transport to school for kiddo’s lunches or snacks. There is probably one serving size of chips in each bag. Just think of all the little chip bags that go into the trash every day at one elementary school. I have experienced it first hand when I had the Terracycle™ program at my daughter’s school. The school actually served tortilla chips and corn chips for lunches sometimes, so add those to the chip pile, and I could have had hundreds of little chip bags in one day! When we ran the program, we collected the bags and sent them in to Terracycle for recycling, but the program has ended at the school since I left.

This same example applies to cookies and veggies too. I am sure you have seen the snack packs of carrots and ranch dip or peanut butter and apples. An entire package of carrots or cookies could be purchased for the price of a handful of snack packs.

It is easy to make snack packs of your own at home. Buy a regular size bag of snacks and divvy them up into reusable containers. Leave them in your pantry or refrigerator so they are ready to grab when packing lunches or snacks for your kiddos. The only waste is the empty regular size bag, instead of 4-24 small bags. The containers can be used over and over again. Your kiddos can even make them up themselves, which can save you time and teach them responsibility.

Another positive is that your kiddos will be bringing the containers home, so you will learn what and how much they are eating at lunch. It can be a great conversation piece about your child’s lunch time, since they don’t always want to tell you much about their day.

So, the next time your kiddo is making a lunch or you are preparing snacks for an event, ask yourself if there is a way to make less waste with what you are preparing. I bet you can find a cheaper and more sustainable way to prepare it. Happy snacking!