How to Green Your Brown Bag Routine

Brown bagging your lunch is a great way to go green and save money. First off, you aren't wasting perfectly good food sitting in your fridge. And then of course you aren't wasting perfectly good gas to get to a restaurant during your lunch hour. Lastly, let me emphasize the point that taking your lunch to work saves you a lot of money. As for kids, brown bagging their school lunches is a great way to teach your kids about green living. So whether you are greening your office routine or getting back in the habit of making school lunches, here are some things to consider in order to make your lunch as green as possible.

How to Green Your Brown Bag Routine Tip #1: Avoid waste.

If you are still packing your lunches in a plastic grocery bag you may want to think again. Plastic is not biodegradable and will only spend an eternity in a landfill. You can replace these bags with reusable and washable lunch boxes or bags. Visit Your Daily Thread for some great eco friendly lunch box options.

Another way to avoid waste is by buying things in bulk. For instance, instead of buying single serving snacks try buying large boxes of trail mix and loading them into reusable containers. You can also try making the snacks at home because pre-packed foods tend to be highly processed.

Also, you may want to invest in reusable water bottles and glass containers instead of using plastic. This is better for the environment and reduces exposure to toxins such as BPA.

How to Green Your Brown Bag Routine Tip #2: Shop fresh, organic, and local.

If you have the opportunity to purchase fresh, locally grown, organic food, use it. Visit a weekly farmer's market for fresh produce, cheese, breads, and even pastries. This helps your body, the environment, and the local economy.

If you are still purchasing most of your items from a grocery store, make sure to read the labels. Remember, you shouldn't trust a product just because it says natural on the box. If the ingredients list is a mile long and you can't pronounce most of the items then you probably don't want it in your body.

How to Green Your Brown Bag Routine Tip #3: Ask questions.

If you aren't sure about a certain product, ask. This is much easier to do at a farmer's market where you can determine where and how food is cultivated. As for supermarkets, you may want to do some research on the internet before purchasing certain foods.

And there you have it! As you can see, greening your brown bag routine is fairly simple. All it takes is a little conscious effort and some eco friendly habits. Before you know it you will be saving the planet and some cash.

Sources:

Your Daily Thread -Gold Star for Green Back to School

Your Daily Thread - How to Pack a Green Lunch