My latest genius idea: I wash and re-use bread bags and tortilla bags to store food such as bread (like the kind you buy in a paper bag which will turn to stone if it's not stored properly within a day) or crackers, chips, open packages of tofu, cheese, etc. They work nicely to pack things up for lunch to go to work. I also re-use them at the grocery store for veggies, fruits, and bulk items.
I wonder sometimes if my co-workers who see me toting my lunch in re-used plastic bags and re-used yogurt containers look down on me or think I'm weird or a hippie or whatever. But, every day this week, I brought my lunch components, prepared a meal, and ate it on real plates with real silverware. The only trash I produced was paper napkins. I've been wondering if it's feasible to bring my own cloth napkins. A little effort, ingenuity, and not worrying what other people think has resulted in yummy lunches for me and nearly no garbage for us all.
This week: Indian Bowl! basmati rice, with paneer in sauce (recycled packaging), sauteed mushrooms in garlic, tomato, marinated tofu cubes, tomato (all heated) then topped with cool yogurt and garam masala. Snack time: slices of walnut bread toasted in the toaster oven with pats of goat cheese added in the last 30-45 seconds, which softens the cheese just enough to spread. Nibbles: fresh, organic blueberries from the Farmer's Market.