New year, new habits. One of those might be adopting more zero-waste-food on-the-go practices.
From bulk food to reusable containers to local produce, there are many ways to reduce your need-to-feed impact on the planet.
Sold as a convenience to busy parents, single-serve snacks such as yogurt, dried fruit, applesauce and juice have a lot of plastic karma. To avoid this, you might consider buying these in larger quantities and portioning them out into small mason jars once a week. The money saved can be invested in buying better quality, fresher food.
If you’re a foodie, you might already have a pantry full of canning and freezer full of fresh produce from the summer months.
Even if not, there are still local farms that provide seasonally fresh produce like kale, beets, carrots and squash this time of year. These can be whipped up into healthy chips and soup to be enjoyed on a cool evening or at recess.
Harvesting from our backyard or farm stand reduces the distance from grower to plate. It also cultivates a deeper relationship between us and our food, helping us better appreciate the life force of the earth that sustains us.
Reusable containers don’t have to be store bought or new. With a little imagination, we can find equivalents using old pickle jars, cookie tins or an empty zipper-lock rice bag. That said, having a lightweight metal tiffin or heat-preserving thermos of your own is a worthy investment. Use these to store some crackers and cheese or a hot curry for your next weekend hike in the cold.
Never be thirsty again! Simply packing a refillable water bottle or travel mug when you leave the house will save you from sugary vending machine fare, or just plain thirst.
Should your reusable sandwich containers, plastic single-use utensils or straws become damaged and unusable, there is good news. Recycle BC, the recycling program offered at local recycling depots and curbside for City of Powell River residents, has just expanded to include these and a few other items. For a full list of what is now accepted, go to RecycleBC.ca.
Dinner time is a great opportunity to double up your meal prep, creating less work and waste at the same time. Cook more than your family will gobble up and pack the rest for lunches.
If repeat meals are a no-go, then your freezer awaits to put the meals on a wider rotation.
Making snacks in bulk is another way to prepare for daytime energizing of your body with no preservatives or plastic packaging. Power bars, bliss balls, granola and nut mixes all satisfy hunger pains for a long while and can be made in large quantities. These can also be more easily catered to suit your household’s palate and dietary needs than anything store bought.
There is a satisfaction that comes from providing for your household’s needs in a way that honours the earth and wellness. This week, love up the planet and yourself with some zero waste lunches and snacks.
Let’s Talk Trash is contracted by qathet Regional District to deliver its waste reduction education program. For more information, email [email protected] or go to LetsTalkTrash.ca.
