Boomerang Lunch Program

Boomerang Lunch Program

School lunches are a major source of waste in Ontario – the average student’s lunch generates a total of 30 kilograms of waste per school year.  In an effort to engage students in a small environmental initiative that can make a big impact, our school will begin a Boomerang Lunch Program.

John Wanless students are asked to minimize the amount of waste in their lunch.  All garbage cans and recycling bins will be removed from the lunchroom.  Once a student has eaten their lunch, they will be expected to place all garbage, recyclable and/or reusable items back into their lunch bag, so that they may dispose of their waste properly at home.

The goal of having a waste free lunch is to:

  1. Celebrate and learn about waste reduction by reducing the amount of waste we create from school lunches
  2. Reduce the cost of waste disposal so the school’s resources can be put to better use
  3. Encourage healthy and nutritious lunches (many pre-packaged lunch items contain significant amounts of sodium, preservatives and fat)
  4. Help you as a parent to reduce the cost of lunches (a waste free lunch can cost as little as $2.50 per day, whereas a regular lunch containing pre-packaged items can cost $4.50 or more per day)

Here are some waste-free lunch packing tips:

YES Please Please AVOID
REUSABLE lunch carrier AVOID paper or plastic bags
REUSABLE container (Tupperware, plastic) AVOID plastic wrap, foil, wax, or styrofoam
REUSABLE drink bottle or thermos AVOID single-use cans, bottles, or cartons
CLOTH NAPKIN to wash and re-use AVOID paper napkins
CUTLERY/SILVERWARE to wash and re-use AVOID plastic forks/spoons
HEALTHY snacks! AVOID over-packaged snacks

 

BOOMERANG LUNCH TIPS

Get children to help pack their lunches with healthy foods

Only pack as much food as your child will eat.

Use a reusable lunch bag/box for carrying a lunch.

Use a refillable bottle for drinks – it’s cheaper and children can save drinks for later. Avoid drinks in packaging that cannot be resealed.  After a few sips, drinks are often discarded.  Use a thermos for cold drinks or hot soups.

Put sandwiches, muffins, etc. in ‘Tupperware’-style containers, instead of plastic bags. Label all containers so they have a better chance of coming home.

Avoid pre-packaged, single-serve portions of snacks or drinks.

Prepare extra food at dinnertime and use the leftovers for lunches. Minimize the morning rush by packing lunches the night before and refrigerating overnight.

Thank you for your support in making John Wanless a more eco-friendly environment for our students.