How to Pack Plastic-Free, Trash-Free School Lunch
You know you’ve successfully packed a plastic-free, trash-free school lunch when your child doesn’t have any wrappers or packaging to throw away at the end of their meal. This not only helps reduce waste and exposure to toxins when storing food in plastic, but it also limits schoolyard litter. To make this happen, it’s all about building an eco-friendly arsenal of to-go containers. You may already have reusable containers at home—use them before you buy anything new. (The most sustainable option is NOT buying an eco-product. It’s using what you already own!) However, if you are in the market for new products, you’ll want to look for non-toxic, durable options made from sustainable materials. At a bare minimum, you’ll need one stainless steel bento box for the main lunch items, a reusable container for snacks, and a refillable water bottle, ideally. To take your efforts a step further, pack a cloth napkin (or handkerchief) and cutlery made of stainless steel or bamboo to entirely avoid single-use items that contribute to waste. Feeling overwhelmed by all of the brands and options out there? Fret not. Here is a list of our family’s favorite products that we use and love!
Eco-Lunch Box
PlanetBox Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box
why we love it: The PlanetBox Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box is truly the best. And while it can seem expensive, let me tell you why it’s worth it. First, you will not need to replace this, probably ever. It’s made from durable stainless steel that can withstand all the wild energy kids throw at their belongings. Plus it’s toxic-free meaning it contains no lead, PVC, phthalates or BPA. It doesn’t have designs on it that your child will outgrow (but it does have interchangeable magnets that can be switched out as interests change). And it’s easy to open no matter your child’s age or physical capabilities. Not to mention, you can toss it in the dishwasher which makes clean-up easy (and that’s worth its weight in gold). I did the math and the cost of using Ziplock bags instead costs about $32 a single school year so by using this stainless steel box over multiple years (we’ve had ours for 4 to 5 years now, since our eldest was in nursery school, and it’s still going strong), you’ll be saving money by the start of the second year using it. So the answer to whether it’s worth the investment is YES!
Snack Containers
PlanetBox Rover Big Round Dipper
why we love it: Not only are these stainless steel PlanetBox containers the ideal snack size, they also fit into the Rover Bento Box (listed above) to prevent leaking from pasta salads and other “wet” foods like watermelon. Their silicone lid is a breeze to open, even for toddlers, as is putting the lid back on. Plus, they’re toxic-free (i.e. no lead, PVC, phthalates or BPA).
buy it here: PlanetBox
Ukonserve Round Nesting Trio Containers
why we love them: These stainless steel containers come in three useful sizes—perfect for a variety of snacks. Their silicone lids are easy to open and also keep plastic out of the equation. They are a tad pricier than the above option but I love that they can also be used for everyday food storage in the kitchen—that’s why we have two sets!
Water Bottle
Pura Sport Mini 11oz.
why we love it: This water bottle is made with 18/8 stainless steel and silicone—making it completely plastic-free (and one on the market). It’s MADESAFE certified, lead-free, BPA-free, BPS-free, PP-free, Polypropylene-free, phthalate-free, and will not leach toxins like plastic bottles and lids. I have a larger size (I’ve had it for about 5 years now), and it’s still my go-to everyday water bottle.
Yeti Rambler Jr. Kids 12 oz. Water Bottle
why we love it. Its durability is what makes this sturdy water bottle sustainable. While not entirely plastic-free, its strap cap top is leakproof which is so important with kiddos. Its 18/8 stainless steel body is double-wall vacuum insulation, keeping water cold on hot days.
Cloth Napkin
Organic Cotton Napkin Set
why we love it. This napkin 4-set is not only made from organic cotton, a sustainable material, but its pattern also hides stains so you don’t need to worry about extra care when washing between uses. Additionally, they’re made in a Fair Trade factory and are designed to last.
buy it here. PACT
Plastic-Free Utensils
Bamboo Spork
why we love it. Having a set of sporks by Bambu makes mealtimes easy. Because of their two-in-one feature, they’re easy to pack and it also means one less item to choose from. They fit inside the PlanetBox lunchbox—it’s compact enough to be placed on top of the food right inside the box so it’s available and clean when your kid(s) open their lunch. We have had a set of four (we lost one along the way) that have been in rotation for the past four years and they’re still going strong. However, when they’ve come to the end of their lifespan, they’re recyclable.
pro eco-tip: You can also head to your local thrift shop and pick up a set of stainless steel utensils for your kid’s lunch for even less.
buy it here. Amazon / 24 pack Bambu / 5 pack
Hot Foods Container
Insulated Hot + Cold Food Container
why we love it. This toxin-free, vacuum-insulated (and 100% plastic-free) container is excellent at keeping food hot or cold for up to 12 hours. Whether you’re packing soup or smoothies, the removable silicone gasket helps prevent leaks and spills. And you don’t have to worry about toxins leaching into warmed foods like you do with plastic thermoses because this 304 stainless steel container contains no lead, PVC, phthalates, or BPA material.
buy it here. PlanetBox
Stainless Steel Ice Packs
Stainless Steel Lunch Chillers
why we love them: These plastic-free ice packs get COLD and stay cold—keeping foods chilled until lunchtime. (My husband also likes to use these in his Yeti because they are crazy thin—leaving more space for food/drinks—but are still very cold.)
pro eco-tip: We have the PlanetBox lunch bag (see below) and these fit perfectly in the ice pouch.
buy it here: Amazon
Lunch Box
Rover/Launch Carry Bag
why we love it: This is a great bag to carry both the PlanetBox Rover and Launch lunch boxes. There is an interior pocket that can hold a cold pack (we have this one and it fits perfectly) to keep foods cool until lunchtime. The front pouch fits a water bottle (we have this kids’ Yeti one and it fits just right). Plus, the front velcro pocket is ideal for storing morning and/or afternoon snacks. After owning two (one per kid) for the past 4 or 5 years, I can say they do hold up. My one complaint is that I can’t put them in the washing machine. (Instead, I wipe them with a sponge and place them in the sun to dry.)
buy it here. PlanetBox
→ BONUS: Need food ideas? You won’t want to miss this blog post with 26 Plant-Based School Lunch and Snack Ideas.
Note: Some links in the post contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links with no additional cost to you. No money was accepted for product reviews or inclusion on this list.
August 13, 2024
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