Did You Know?
Each month, New Zealanders dispose of enough rubbish to fill a rugby field 30 storeys high. Much of this could be recycled or avoided entirely instead of heading straight to the landfill.
Simple Ways to Reduce Waste
Bulk Buy Basics: Instead of buying small individual boxes, buy a large box of raisins and portion a handful into a small reusable container. This works for cheese, dried fruit, chips, yoghurt, biscuits, and crackers.
Nature’s Packaging: Use whole fruit! It comes with its own biodegradable wrapper.
Skip the Double-Wrap: If you put sandwiches in a plastic container, there is no need to wrap them in plastic film—they will stay fresh all day! You can also give margarine containers a new lease on life; they make excellent lunchboxes.
The Yoghurt Hack: Yoghurt is a healthy snack, but empty pottles can make a mess in lunchboxes. To cut down on mess and waste, buy a large tub and scoop a serving into a reusable container each day. It’s a win-win: cost-effective, less mess, and healthier!
Ditch the Plastic Wrap: Swap "Glad wrap" for containers. Plastic wrap is detrimental to the environment as it never breaks down, and it contains chemicals that can migrate into food. Most supermarkets sell affordable, durable lunchboxes.
Portion Control: Children are often more likely to eat their lunch if you provide a variety of small snacks in little containers rather than one large item.
Healthy Habits: Items that come in pre-packaged wrapping are often high in sugar and preservatives. By aiming for a rubbish-free lunchbox, you are making a healthier choice for your child.
Smart Swaps: Fresh popcorn in a reusable container is a great, low-waste alternative to a small packet of chips. Fresh fruit salad, carrot sticks, or cherry tomatoes also keep well in containers and make perfect morning tea snacks.
Protect Our Waterways: Small chip packets are a major litter problem around schools. Because they are light, they blow easily into drains and find their way to the sea. Please help our environment by purchasing large bags and portioning them out.
Reusable container: $3.00 Our environment: Priceless
