The next time that you go to pack a lunch for yourself, for your children, or for anyone else that you care about, do it in a waste-free way. So here are some tips to reduce the waste caused by packed lunches so that you can start saving the Earth every day.

Let's start with that lunch bag. When we picture a lunch bag, more often than not, we picture the traditional brown paper bags. While many of these bags are now made from partially or completely recycled material, there is an even more eco-friendly option: the reusable lunch container. You can find these everywhere now and, whether it be a cloth bag or a lunchbox made from 100% recycled material, you will be eliminating a lot of waste every day by switching to one of these.

When it comes to what is contained in your lunch, think about alternatives to goods packaged in plastic, paper, or styrofoam. Instead of buying those individual servings of yogurt that come in their own plastic containers, buy a large container and take individual portions in a reusable container. You'll be saving money and reducing waste. The same concept applies to drinks. If you take water, juice, or even soda, try using a reusable thermos instead of bottled water, boxed juice, or canned soda.

If you bring napkins in your lunch, why not make them cloth instead of paper? If you need to bring utensils, why not make them reusable/washable instead of plastic? The goal of packing your lunch should be producing the least amount of waste possible. When you visit the trash can at the end of your meal, all you should have is maybe a banana peel, peach pit, or apple core.