From the Markham Economist and Sun:
Oct 10, 2007 08:26 PM
By: Chris Traber
It’s not only what you eat, but what you eat it from that can make you and the environment ill.
Monika Jazyk knows all about healthy meals and waste.
As a supply teacher in York Region, the Markham woman sees what children bring and how much garbage is generated by disposal lunches.
As a mother with two toddlers, she knows children gravitate toward what’s trendy and Earth friendly.
As the newly minted GTA distributor of the Laptop Lunch, she’s hoping to maximize lunchtime fun and health, while minimizing waste.
As an eco-aware consumer, Ms Jazyk stopped using plastic bags for groceries.
“Still, I felt like a bit of hypocrite when I saw how much plastic wrap I was using for meals for my kids, husband and self,” she said.
When she had trouble finding safe, waste free containers, she looked all the way to Los Angeles. Now she is distributing those products. “Environmentally, we’re beyond the crossroads, We all have to do something now.”
The sustainable containers are reusable, recyclable and dishwasher safe. The colourful lunch boxes are lead-free and made of No. 5 plastic (polypropylene and polyethylene) approved by the Food and Drug Administration for food use.
There are no binding agents or plasticizers in the process, or any materials that are suspected carcinogens or endocrine disrupters, Ms Jazyk said.
“Many containers leak and are bulky,” she said. “Heat will break the plastic down. Kids use plastic water bottles, but you’re supposed to throw them out because they break down, too. The best containers are No. 5 plastic or stainless steel.”
Laptop Lunches are compact drink and food puzzle-fit containers, complete with utensils. It’s carried in a zippered insulated case and includes a user guide and recipe booklet. They cost $49.50.
Visit www.enviromomonline.com for information or online ordering. You can also call 905-910-0902 or e-mail enviromomonline@rogers.com to make an appointment to see the products.
The good, the bad and the plastic
• When selecting plastic containers, make sure they are made of No. 5 plastic (identified on the bottom). Plastics numbered 3, 6 and 7 can contain carcinogenic substances and can be found in such everyday products as baby bottles, food containers and water bottles. Numbers 1, 2 and 4 are acceptable, however 5 is the safest.
• It has been estimated on average a school-age child using a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year. That equates to 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for just one average-size elementary school.
