Today there are many eco-friendly lunch box options to choose from ranging from stainless steel to leakproof lunch totes.
As many of us are aware of the amount of plastic waste we see in the world today, it is nice to know there are options for sustainable school supplies.
The standard reusable bento box made from BPA-free plastic is one obvious example, but not all. Below we are going to spend some time covering the very best earth friendly lunch box options.
So if you are going back to school or simply shopping for a new lunch container, these will be your best options for eco-friendly lunch box products.
The Best Eco-Friendly Lunch Box in 2023
1. Organic Cotton Lunch Bag
These unbleached, organic cotton lunch bags are a great alternative to the classic throw away options. These bags can be used many times and easily washed so they are much easier to use than some silicone variations – and they also look nicer as well.
A nice rope handle and Velcro seals help keep this bag practical and a little more useful than the brown bags of old. They also help you store the bag outside your purse until you arrive home.
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2. Reusable Bee’s Wrap
Beeswax based wraps have been used in many variations for centuries. These wraps are a safe and all-natural alternative to using plastic bags and plastic wraps. Unlike plastic, these beeswax wraps are biodegradable, compostable, and all-natural.
Earth-friendly and locally sourced from farms in Vermont, these wraps apply easily with warm hands and provide a watertight seal that works for days!
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3. Frontier Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes & Trays
Stainless steel lasts as long as it is cared for, and a well put together piece can be useful for generations. A fine item like this stainless steel lunch box from Frontier will eliminate your need to use disposable lunch boxes or bags ever again.
Easy to clean with no leaching chemicals and plastic and BPA free materials to help keep a seal, this is a near unbreakable safe for your favorite foods.
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4. WEI Waxed Canvas Lunch Bag
What if you could have all of the elegance and luxury of a brown paper bag, without needing to waste paper or trees? Well, finally science has given us the answer. This is a heavy-duty waxed canvas made to bring you all of the features of a brown paper bag you have come to love.
While charming, this is also a highly effective reusable and waterproof lunch bag that can help you to immensely reduce your overall plastic waste.
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5. Silicone Lunch Containers with Dividers
Silicone is another common item being used to replace plastic in many cases. Silicone is reusable, easily washable, and won’t leach chemicals into your food.
These silicone lunch containers are specially made with dividers so you can keep your food fresh, separated, and chemical free no matter where you decide to go.
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6. Stainless Steel Food Jar with Screw Top
While we have already covered the benefits of a stainless steel lunch pail, we may have failed to mention all of these same benefits also apply to stainless steel food jar. These jars are great for storing soups and stews as well as layered salads in a safe and chemical-free way.
A stainless steel BPA-free thermos can keep your food either warm or cold for upwards of 4-5 hours giving you more options for how you can enjoy your favorite foods.
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7. OXO Good Grips On-the-Go Salad Container
Although not as celebrated, salads are a staple lunch item around the country as well. This cleverly designed lunch container has a leak proof compartment specially made for salad dressing and all of your favorite salad toppings.
Made of BPA-free Tritan plastic, this container lets you enjoy all of your favorite greens while keeping the planet just as green as well.
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Handy Tips for Buying Eco-Friendly Lunch Boxes and Snack Containers
Aim for zero waste or biodegradable food storage options
You want to try and keep your lunchbox for as long as possible. Make it easily washable if not dishwasher safe, big enough for things like an ice pack and cutlery, and make sure it is high-quality enough to last. This alone can save you from needing hundreds of plastic bags over the course of a year.
If you don’t or can’t utilize a reusable material like stainless steel or a well-made classic bento lunch box, try and use biodegradable products for your lunch containers. Of course, BPA free and leakproof material should also be standard requirements (this is why cloth and beeswax work so well).
Single-use plastic bags need to be avoided at all opportunities.
Why BPA free?
While BPA (bisphenol) plastic is still considered safe for food storage in adults, it has already been banned from use in food containers for children. Many studies have shown that BPA materials can leech chemicals into the foods and liquids they contain – causing hormonal issues. This makes BPA products especially bad when used in this like kids’ lunch trays, snack bags, water bottles, and box lunch meals.
The simple classic stainless steel lunchbox or canvas lunch bag avoids this issue.
Getting a Healthy Lunchbox Set
You are what you eat, and you don’t want to be eating chemicals with your well-prepared food. Make sure you and your family are eating only what you intend and package every meal in a safe container. The planet will thank you, and your family will thank you.
It doesn’t stop with lunch either. Almost every aspect of life can be replaced and improved by turning to more natural solutions – food is simply just the best place to start.
Consider these other Eco-Friendly Gift and Product Ideas: