Green Tips: Getting Ready for Back-to-School

Back-to-school displays are sprouting up in local stores, which means summer vacation is more than halfway over.

The discounts are starting to roll in as well. There are more things to save than money when going green—you can save resources as well.

If you can reuse it, then you obviously don't have to buy more of it. If you can recycle it, then you don't have to add more trash to a landfill. And if you can just do without, that's even better.

According to About.com, the average American schoolchild generates about 67 pounds of waste from the packaging in lunches alone. So an Elementary School in the Capistrano Unified School District with 800 students would product about 54,000 pounds of waste per year. Looking at the larger picture: 52,000 students in CUSD alone would mean 3.5 million pounds of trash from lunches alone.

Now, of course, many students already use reusable lunch boxes, and I am sure some have containers they reuse in those boxes. For those families still looking for a way to go green at lunchtime, there are inexpensive, non-plastic solutions.

I did research—my daughter is notorious for losing all the little containers that go into the reusable boxes you find at such stores as Henry's and Whole Foods. The price ranges from $20 to $60.  

Here are some lunch box options.

• To Go Ware is a more sophisticated option for older kids in middle school or high school.  It is stainless steel, but not on the cheap side. It works great for your lunch at work, too.  Why not? Leftovers are always a great alternative to eating out, and they save you money.  
• Planet Box is an expensive, stainless-steel, one-piece lunch box. The box is divided into sections. You can buy boxes and containers separately. The total package can run about $59.95. They are dishwasher safe and great for kids who like to keep all their lunch items from touching. Just not so great for those kids who lose their lunch boxes often.
• Go Green Lunch Box is very similar to Planet Box but is plastic. It is all one piece (separate drink bottle) and less expensive than the Planet Box.  You also buy all the pieces together rather than having to purchase them separately.  The insulated lunch boxes are much more colorful as well.  The whole package is $32.99. You can also buy a set of reusable napkins.
• Made by Oots is quirkier than rest and is also plastic. It might appeal to older kids, since it's not the usual lunch box.  It runs about $40.  
• Easy Lunch Box is the most economical of the bunch and also plastic.  It is also one piece.  The company, like many of those that make the one-piece options, recommends against putting liquids in the boxes (which is why some offer separate containers if you want to pack yogurt or other gushy items for your kid's lunch.) Get four Easy lunch containers, plus one cooler bag for $20.

These are just a few options, and I am sure there are many more out there. As you can see, they are varied. Something should fit your needs and pocketbook.