Skip to content

MP issues litterless lunch challenge to Tri-City schools

Port Moody-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly is again using Waste Reduction Week in Canada to reboot his annual litterless lunch challenge.
fin

Port Moody-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly is again using Waste Reduction Week in Canada to reboot his annual litterless lunch challenge.

The federal NDP MP is asking schools in his riding to ensure students pack their snacks and meals in reusable containers rather than plastic.

Participating schools need to track and record the number of litterless lunches to qualify. And the class with the least amount of trash from their lunches will be named in the House of Commons next month — plus get a free litterless lunch from the politician.

Past winners have included Parkland, Riverview Park, Harbour View and Baker Drive elementary schools.

It's estimated every student throws out 67 pounds of waste a year from their school lunch, adding nearly 20,000 pounds of garbage to the landfill annually, per school.

"The litterless lunch challenge may seem like a small step but it can have a huge impact on our community," Donnelly said in a news release. "The students who participate gain awareness and bring the waste reduction message home to their families. Response to the challenge has grown every year and I am very pleased to have so many schools participating."

@jcleughTC