Waste Free Lunch
Provided by: Kent County Department of Public Works|Published on: February 25, 2026
Grades: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Science, Social Studies
Authors: Kent County Department of Public Works
Region: Global, Southwest Michigan
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This lesson from the Kent County Department of Public Works introduces students to the concept of “going green” by examining how everyday lunch choices impact the environment.
- Students compare wasteful and waste-free lunch items, discuss where trash goes (including landfills and incinerators), and explore how using reusables and other sustainable options can reduce plastic waste and overall waste generation.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Many students will benefit from having the conversation about sustainable choices.
- The many extension activities available give teachers a variety of options for learners with different interests and abilities.
Prerequisites
- Some students may not pack their own lunches or have control over what goes into their lunch.
- It is important to approach this subject in a fun, informative way and not to shame students.
Differentiation & Implementation
- For older students, especially, teachers can explain that real systemic change needs to happen to help the planet and the weight of the planet’s health is not on students’ shoulders as individuals.
- This lesson can be combined with an activity where students write their representatives, urging them to back policies that would make for a “greener” planet.
- Teachers can invite students to analyze school lunch options, encouraging them to contact the food service administration to suggest more green alternatives.
- Students can design posters to encourage other students in the school to pack a waste-free lunch.
- This lesson can be paired with these slides to show how plastic pollution ends up in the ocean.
This resource tasks students with packing a waste-free lunch. This lesson is strongly grounded in sustainable waste reduction and stimulates thought on where our trash goes and the power of our day-to-day choices. A possible extension could be to discuss greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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