4 Steps to a Greener Brown Bag

Holly Robinson Peete is the first to admit that she tries to be green simply to appease her kids. The next generation of eco-activists is teaching their parents the importance of going green. Peete's children attend a school where a no waste policy means "brown bagging it" has become green. Here are some easy tips to help pack a lunch that doesn't burden the planet.

- Cut the packaging. Don't buy individually packaged foods like chips, cookies, or juice boxes. Instead, buy large quantities of snack foods and pack them in reusable containers.

- Buy green lunch boxes. ACME Recycled Lunch Bags are 90 percent post-consumer recycled content made from recycled plastic bottles and containers. They're also 100 percent lead free.

- Use locally produced breads for sandwiches that minimize the distance between the bakery and your child's lunchbox. Using organic and local products ensures that your child will enjoy fresh and unprocessed foods. Not only are these foods better for our children, they're easier on the planet.

- Don't pack too much food. Make sure that your child likes and is consuming the majority of the lunch that you pack. On average, Americans throw away 14 percent of the food they purchase.

This post was inspired by Supper Club with Tom Bergeron.