Lunch Box Plastic Challenge

Lunch Box Challenge Data Submission

Thank you for participating in week one of our Lunch Box Plastic Challenge!

Week One

Food Wrappers

Wrappers can hold an individual serving of food or many, and sometimes have a shiny backing.

Examples: Granola bar wrappers, stand-up pouches (often resealable), yogurt seals (lids on yogurt cup), sandwich bags (like Ziploc)

Soft Plastic Packaging

If you can crumple the plastic up into a ball, it’s soft packaging.

Examples: Bread bags, plastic overwrap (like on packs of juice boxes), saran wrap

Hard Plastic Packaging

If you can’t crumple it up into a ball, it’s hard packaging.

Examples: Clamshell packaging (like berries or muffins), yogurt cups, plastic takeout containers

Bottles and Bottle Caps

Bottles contain drinks. Count the bottle and its cap as two separate items.

Examples: Pop and water bottles, drinkable yogurt bottles, chocolate milk bottles

Tetrapaks/Cartons

Tetrapaks contain drinks and other liquids. They are typically shaped like boxes. Count straws or caps separately.

Examples: Juice boxes and cartons, milk/plant-based milk cartons

Plastic Dishware, Utensils, Drink Accessories

Cups, lids, straws, plates, bowls, forks, knives, spoons, that are made of plastic or paper with a plastic coating.

Examples: Solo cups, paper dishes (like Starbucks cups or paper plates with a plastic coating,) plastic coffee lids, pop lids and straws

Stickers

Found on fruit and vegetables.

Examples: Apple, avocado, banana stickers

Multi-Material Packaging

Packaging that is made of more than one type of material.

Examples: Carboard box with a plastic window (like pasta,) blister packs (like for gum,) tea bags (plastic mesh with tea leaves inside)

Other

Anything that doesn’t have a defined category or that you’re not sure about.

Week One Totals