This week’s activity connects energy conservation with sustainability both at home and at school. Encouraging students to bring waste-free lunches is a simple yet powerful way to reduce the energy used in producing and disposing of single-use packaging. It’s also a fun, place-based activity that sparks conversations about long-term environmental impact and gives students a chance to practice student agency in their daily routines.
What is the Waste-Free Lunch Challenge?
The Waste-Free Lunch Challenge encourages students to pack snacks and meals using reusable containers. By avoiding single-use items like plastic bags and wrappers, students help reduce the energy and materials required to manufacture, transport, and dispose of packaging. This challenge promotes awareness of how everyday habits contribute to a more sustainable world.
How to Run a Waste-Free Lunch Challenge
Introduce the Concept
Start with a discussion about the lifecycle of single-use packaging:
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Energy used in production (plastic, foil, paper)
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Emissions from transporting these items
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Waste generated when they’re thrown away
- Here’s a cute video from TedEd on YouTube that you can share with your class.
Launch the Challenge
Kick off a week-long challenge where students aim to pack their lunches using only reusable items. Give it a fun theme like:
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“Waste-Free Week”
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“Pack It Smart!”
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“Litter-Free Lunches”
Track Participation
Create a class chart or log to record how many students use reusable containers each day. Offer bonus points for:
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Cloth napkins
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Reusable water bottles
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Beeswax wraps or bento boxes
Reflect and Share
At the end of the week, hold a classroom discussion on what students learned. How hard was it to go waste-free? What changes could be made to encourage this habit long-term?
Extend the Lesson
Home Connection
Send home a handout with tips on reducing lunch waste and saving energy at home. Encourage students to teach their families what they’ve learned.
Calculate the Impact
Estimate how much waste or energy the class saved in a week by switching to reusable items.
Did You Know?
💡 The energy used to make one disposable plastic sandwich bag could power a 60-watt light bulb for 10 minutes. Imagine how that adds up across every lunchbox, every day!
Join the Movement to Save Energy
The Waste-Free Lunch Challenge is a fun, interactive way to integrate STEM, sustainability, and place-based learning into your classroom. By participating, students practice mindful habits and gain a sense of accomplishment in protecting the planet.
Want to go even further? Join a Renew Our Schools competition today!
