Remember that nightmare where you show up at school in your underwear? Here's a thought that might be scarier: Every week, the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) transports about 120 dump trucks-worth (36,774 cubic feet) of garbage to disposal sites. And a lot of that bulk comes from the cafeterias.

Want to pack a greener lunch? First, avoid disposable packaging and accessories. "Pack, wash and re-use plastic bags or use Tupperware-type containers," says Nicole Riss, a SPS resource conservation specialist. "Focus on foods that have their own packaging, such as apples, oranges, bananas." You can also replace juice boxes with a durable water bottle, swap cloth napkins for paper, and pack reusable silverware to cut down on waste even more.

Second, Riss says, "Pack the amount of food you think your child will actually eat," so less is wasted. It might be helpful to have your child help pack, and bring home uneaten food, so you can plan better.

If you're short on time, stop in the deli at PCC, Whole Foods, Madison Market or another natural grocer for prepared foods you can pack in your reusable containers. When buying pre-packaged, choose glass, metal, or a safe plastic (#2, #4, #5). Avoid #3 and #7 plastics, which can contain the toxin Bisphenol-A.

Finally, wrap it all up in a safer lunchbox. In 2004, the Center for Environmental Health found that many children's vinyl lunchboxes contain lead, so opt for a Mimi the Sardine "Lunchbug" from Whole Foods or a bento-style box from Uwajimaya.

Inspired to get your whole school on board? "Parents can reduce waste at their school by encouraging teachers to start a student-run composting program," Riss says. "This gets kids to pay close attention to what they throw away." Read more about SPS' student-run and commercial composting programs, and download tips on starting your own.