This bad economy that we have endured for the past couple of years has brought about some good consequences. As a result of people either trying to save money, or lacking money, they have been forced to cut back on their habit of eating out for lunch. They have almost been forced to start “brown bagging” it for their lunch meal. This is good for a couple of reasons. For one thing, when people can’t afford to eat out for lunch, they can’t buy fast food that is packaged with wrapping that is going to clog up our landfills, and bog down the environment with trash waste. Second, these meals tend to be unhealthy anyway. When a person packs their own lunch, they can control what they eat. Third, they save money.
But let’s look at how someone can not only save money, but do their part to help reduce trash waste. First there are the brown bags. Many people might not like them, because it’s not chic to bring in a brown bag to work. To solve this problem, many manufacturers have created reusable sacks that are perfect for lunchtime. People can buy versions that are reusable and that literally have the design of a paper bag. Or, if they are people who like to bring lots of snacks and maybe a couple of sandwiches, there are versions that look like mini-coolers. These are small enough to fit inside one’s cubicle, but large enough to handle all of the food and snacks that one needs in a day. They are created with either recycled materials, or other sustainable products. These go a long way towards reducing trash waste, and they do a great job of keeping the food fresh for the day.
Second, instead of buying that cup of coffee in the morning or during the day, a person could save money and trash waste by bringing in their own coffee. There are many thermoses on the market that are very slender and chic. These are in fact designed to fit in one’s backpack or briefcase. They do an excellent job of keeping the coffee fresh and hot, and a person can have their fill of coffee that is brewed to their specifications. Imagine how many paper cups that contribute to trash waste would be eliminated in this way?
Last, when it comes to the wrapping for the sandwich or the leftovers from last night, these can be packaged in responsible containers or wrapping that can be obtained at specialty stores, or online. As for the forks and spoons, just package some from the kitchen drawer. The great thing about adults is that unlike kids, they care about throwing away their forks and spoons, so they won’t trash these. Include a cloth napkin, or use napkins that have been created using recycled materials, and now a person is all set for a lunch experience that helps to reduce trash waste, and that saves them money at the same time!