Izzy Shirah, Zero Waste Humboldt Intern
Did you know that Americans use over 100 billion plastic bags annually? According to the Center for Biological Diversity, most of these are used for an average of 12 minutes. For most people, plastic baggies are a staple for packing lunches, snacks, leftovers, etc. However, there are many more alternatives.
One of the best ways to pack a zero-waste lunch is by utilizing what you already have. Try using old sauce jars to pack a smoothie or salad dressing. My favorite is using mason jars to hold my coffee or tea for the day. You could use old fabric scraps (sanitized, of course) to wrap a sandwich or cookie. Glass or plastic tupperwares are a classic, too. Reusable bottles have become popular, too, as they are durable, thermoregulating, and not a burden on your wallet. Another way to practice zero waste is to invest or make reusable cloth napkins, as Americans reportedly use more than 164 billion paper napkins annually.
The newest addition to the plethora of zero-waste utensils is reusable beeswax wraps, which are completely compostable, 100 percent organic, and can be used up to 200 times when taken care of properly. These can be found at your local farmer’s market or grocery store. You could even make your own! These reusable wraps are an excellent replacement for plastic wrap or aluminum foil. The most important part of a zero-waste journey is avoiding buying new but unnecessary things. Thrifting used jars, containers, napkins, cloth lunch boxes, etc., all help to prevent landfills from growing even more. Of course, use whatever plastic items you already have, but next time you’re at the store, consider buying something reusable, as it is better for your wallet and the planet.
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