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Step 1
Create your own lunches at home and bring them to work in plastic or glass containers. Avoid using plastic sandwich bags, foil or cellophane. Bring reusable silverware and glassware rather than use plastic silverware or cups. About one-third of the waste in the United States consists of plastic packaging, which takes more than 1,000 years to decompose. The waste from plastic forks, knives, cups and paper alone during the course of a year can circle the equator 300 times. Bringing lunch to work in an eco-friendly manner will help cut this statistic.
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Step 2
Order takeout from local restaurants if you would like a special treat, but inform the establishment that you would like your order to include only the meal, not plastic silverware, napkins and condiments. You can also ask the eatery to provide your meal in a reusable container that you provide. When you pick up your meal, bring a reusable tote and ask the restaurant to save the plastic or paper bag it would have given you. If you do not have a reusable tote, be sure to recycle the bag provided.
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Step 3
Recycle any part of your lunch that is not reusable. Place all plastic bottles, cans, paper bags or other paper in recycling bins. Tuck away plastic silverware for future use. If you have any leftover food, either save it for the next day or put it outside somewhere where animals can eat it.
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Step 4
Lobby for a vending machine in the office that offers green options. For starters, request that your boss install energy-efficient vending machines that will save money. According to the Planet Green website, the University of Buffalo installed these vending machines and it now saves more than $21,000 a year. Also ask for greener items in the machine, including healthy snack items such as local produce. It's healthier for you, plus the items are transported shorter distances, saving gasoline.
