The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Waste-Free Lunch resource is designed to teach students how to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste generated from school lunches through simple, everyday actions. It provides activities, tools, and guidance to help schools organize waste-free lunch days, track results, and build awareness around reducing packaging and food waste.

Overall, the program promotes hands-on learning by encouraging students, teachers, and families to make more sustainable choices, turning lunchtime into a practical opportunity to build environmental responsibility and reduce waste at school.

This resource is free and easy to implement in schools and at home. With simple, practical strategies, students and staff can immediately reduce waste and see the impact of their choices.

It’s a real-world extension of classroom learning where sustainability isn’t just taught, but lived each day in the cafeteria.

Go to Pack a Waste-Free Lunch