Reusable Lunch Boxes and Bags
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Reduce plastic waste by using reusable lunch boxes and bags.
Ziplock bags and single-use containers are convenient but also costly and bad for the environment. Here we present reusable and eco-friendly alternatives that you will be excited to use.
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Top 8 Reusable Lunch Boxes
Lunch boxes are ideal for storing one meal at a time. They tend to be more solid so the food in it can not be squished or damaged. Below we have made a list of our favourite 8 lunch boxes which are both practical and stylish.
- Sturdy glass, two compartments – Prep Naturals Glass 2 Compartment Box (3 Pack)
- Airtight leak proof easy snap lock – Fullstar Plastic Food Containers (12 Pack)
- Durable snack packing with 5 compartments – Bentgo Kids Childrens Lunch Box
- Microwave safe with vented lids – Rubbermaid Vented Lid Food Storage (21 Box Set)
- Thick glass, leak proof and BPA-Free – Bayco Glass Storage Containers (9 Pack)
- Insulated, leak proof with thermos jar – OmieBox Bento Box for Kids
- Collapsable, vented lid silicon boxes – Vremi Collapsable Food Containers (4 Box Set)
- Flexible lids turn any container into a lunch box – Longzon Silicone Stretch Lids (14 Pack)
#1 | Prep Naturals Glass 2 Compartment Box (3 Pack)
Sturdy glass with two compartments.
- These handsome lunch boxes are ideal for meal prepping thanks to the 2 compartments.
- The sturdy glass makes them freezer, dishwasher, and microwave proof.
- Capacity: 24 oz.
- Compartments: 2
- Material: Glass
#2 | Fullstar Plastic Food Containers (12 Pack)
Airtight leak proof easy snap lock.
- This stackable lunch box set contains 5 different sizes and is made of durable BPA-free plastic.
- The 4-hinge locking system forms an airtight seal and the containers are freezer, dishwasher and microwave proof.
- Capacity: 12 to 35 oz.
- Compartments: 1
- Material: Plastic
#3 | Bentgo Kids Childrens Lunch Box
Durable snack packing with 5 compartments.
- Has compartments carefully portioned for kids, and is made of safe durable materials.
- It can be put in the freezer, dishwasher, and microwave and comes with a 2-year warranty.
- This leakproof, drop proof box has easy open and close latches and is available in multiple colours.
- Compartments: 5
- Material: Plastic
#4 | Rubbermaid Vented Lid Food Storage (21 Box Set)
Microwave and dishwasher safe with vented lids.
- Of the 6 included sixes 3 have vented lids allowing for splatter free microwaving.
- This set of simple, durable food containers is everything you need for meal prepping or packed lunches.
- Capacity: 4 to 56 oz.
- Compartments: 1
- Material: Plastic
#5 | Bayco Glass Storage Containers (9 Pack)
Thick glass, leak proof and BPA-Free.
- Set contains 9 oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher proof containers, all different sizes.
- These high quality reusable lunch boxes provide you with durable basics for packed lunches and are even available in various colours.
- Capacity: 11 to 36 oz.
- Compartments: 1
- Material: Glass
#6 | OmieBox Bento Box for Kids
Insulated, leak proof with thermos jar.
- This durable lunch box with its flexible compartments is ideal for packing your kid’s school lunch.
- The removable thermos compartment will keep food warm until lunch and the flexible wall allows for easier cleaning and packing.
- It is long lasting, available in various colours and has optional accessories like cutlery or a case.
- Compartments: 3 or 4
- Material: Plastic
#7 | Vremi Collapsable Food Containers (4 Box Set)
Collapsable silicon containers with vented lids.
- These four fun handy lunch boxes (in different sizes) are collapsible so that once they are empty you can save some space in your bag.
- The easy snap on lid, vented lids, and microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe characteristics make these boxes especially practical for package lunches.
- Capacity: 11.8 to 40.6 oz.
- Compartments: 1
- Material: Silicon
#8 | Longzon Silicone Stretch Lids (14 Pack)
Flexible lids turning any container into a lunch box.
- These handy things are not lunch boxes, they flexible lids which can seal almost any container for transport, such as: glasses, bowls and pots.
- They are stretchable, dishwasher, freezer and microwave proof and are leak proof, even or rectangular contains.
- Capacity: 2.6 to 9.8 in. diameter
- Material: Silicon
Bring your own stylish lunch box or bag to work or school.
Top 6 Reusable Lunch Bags
Reusable lunch bags are flexible containers, which can depending on their size hold one of more types of food at a time. Below we present a list of our 6 favorite reusable lunch bags which are of high quality and very practical.
- Use it for more than just food storage – Stasher Silicone Sandwich Container
- Simplistic, spacious and lightweight – Built Neoprene Lunch Tote
- Sturdy reusable ziplock baggie with holder – ZESSTI Ziplock Bags (8 Pack)
- Comfortable and practical lunch bag – UPPER ORDER Durable Insulated Tote
- Robust airtight food container bags – Kavave Reusable Silicone Food Bags (3 Pack)
- Sturdy leak proof preservation ziplock – WOHOME Airtight Food Bags (6 Pack)
#1 | Stasher Silicone Sandwich Container
Use it for more than just food storage.
- This silicon bag ideal for taking your sandwiches to work or school but can also be used for other items and to steam some foods in boiling water.
- The pinch-lock seal will keep your food fresh, just burp your bag to remove excess air.
- Capacity: 15oz.
- Quantity: 1
- Material: Silicon
#2 | Built Neoprene Lunch Tote
Simplistic, spacious and lightweight.
- This handy little bag can hold your lunch, snacks and drinks for the day and it is even available in 16 colours.
- It is machine washable and the neoprene material is insulating so your food will stay cool or warm.
- Capacity: 11.5 x 6.8 x 12.5 inches
- Quantity: 1
- Material: Neoprene
#3 | ZESSTI Reusable Ziplock Bags (8 Pack)
Sturdy reusable ziplock baggie with holder.
- These easy to clean ziplock bags are good for storing food or transporting it.
- They come with a handy device which hold them open for you and material of the bag is strong enough to steam or cook food like salmon in.
- Capacity: 34 to 51 oz.
- Quantity: 8
- Material: Silicon
#4 | UPPER ORDER Durable Insulated Tote
Comfortable and practical lunch bag.
- An easy to use insulated bag can hold all of your snacks and your lunch for the day.
- This lunch bag is all about practicality and comfort, that is why is it 25% larger than the previous model.
- Capacity: 11 x 10 x 3.6 inches
- Quantity: 1
- Material: –
#5 | Kavave Reusable Silicone Food Bags (3 Pack)
Robust airtight food container bags.
- Use these microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe silicon containers to store and transport your food.
- The material of these bags is so strong you can lay them in a pot with boiling water to steam your veggies in.
- Capacity: 15 to 50 oz.
- Quantity: 3
- Material: Silicon
#6 | WOHOME Airtight Food Bags (6 Pack)
Sturdy leak proof preservation ziplock.
- These reusable ziplock bags are ideal for storing and transporting food because they are space efficient, can be labelled well and easy to clean afterwards.
- Close them and make them leakproof and airtight with the rail for extra security.
- Capacity: 30 to 50 oz.
- Quantity: 6
- Material: Silicon
Top 10 Reusable Food Containers
Recommended Reusables:
Great that you are interested in reusable products. Step up your game even more by checking out other eco-friendly Reusables Products.
Reusable Tupperware and food storage containers are much more reliable and useful than the single-use alternatives.Recycling.com
More About Reusable Lunch Bags and Boxes
Although choosing your lunch box or bag may be easy, there are features to be aware of that can help you choose a box or bag that you will be happy with for a long time. And if you are doubting getting a reusable lunch container, then below we address the practical and environmental reasons why you should purchase one today.
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Why should you use reusable lunch bags or boxes?
There are a few reasons why it is better to use reusable food containers rather than single-use containers. What it essentially boils down to is that reusable containers are more environmentally friendly and in the long run they are also cheaper because they are a one time investment. This is why they are so commonly found in Zero Waste starter kits too.
Some of the containers we have mentioned above are also more practical as they, for example, stand up straight, and some can even be used for things, such as steaming food, which single-use food containers are not strong enough for. The material of reusable lunch containers is much more durable and safe as well.
Reasons and benefits for using Zip Top containers
This video is the original video of Zip Top containers, and first it explains why single-use ziplock bags and flimsy Tupperware is not an ideal or environmentally friendly solution. Afterward, it goes on to explain all the benefits and uses of Zip Top containers.
Reusable lunch bags are an eco-friendly replacement for disposable plastic sandwich bags. These single-use plastic lunch bags have a negative impact on our environment.
6 Ways to Use a Stasher Bag
A lot of these reusable lunch bags are much more robust then single-use ziplock bags, which also means you can use them for more than just storing and transporting food. This video demonstrates what else these Stasher bags can be used for.
Features to look for in reusable lunch bags or boxes
What to look for when buying a reusable lunch bag or lunch box to replace your plastic sandwich bags? Think about these points:
- Insulated yes or no? – Do you want your food container to keep your food cold or hot during the day? Then you need an insulated lunch cooler. These lunch containers have a special coating that keeps your food on the right temperature.
- A bag or a box? –Are you looking for a bag to store food containers in? Or do you want a box like a bento box to store your food in?
- Foldable or collapsible? –Does your lunch container needs to be compact? Then get one that you can fold or collapse. These are usually lunch bags instead of boxes.
- What size? – The capacity of your new food container is important. Check the measurements of the lunch bag or box in the specifications and don’t rely 100% on the product images. Because these images tend to be misleading quite often.
“Plastic bags break into small pieces, and seabirds often mistake them for food. When floating in the water, the bags resemble jellyfish.”
- Easy to clean? –A lunch bag or lunch box is used for food, so you want to keep it clean so you can eat safely out of your food container. Make sure you can clean the container easily. Most containers are dishwasher-safe, but we recommend to wash your lunch box or bag by hand if you can. Also, check if the lunch tote or box is leak-free and air-tight.
- What type of material? –A lunch bag or box comes in all kinds of materials. Such as high quality BPA-free plastics , canvas, leather and stainless steel. It is up to you what type of material you like.
- Dishwasher, Microwave, Freezer and Ovenproof –If you want your food containers to be able to withstand extremely hot or cold temperatures like those of boiling water or your freezer then you need to check that the materials are strong enough to handle this. Note that with some lunch boxes the lid may not be able to handle what the container can. Also, some containers need to be kept open in the Microwave.
Brands and manufactures
- StasherBag.com – Stasher Reusable Ziplock Bags
- RubberMaid.com – Rubbermaid Food Storage Containers
- BuiltNY.com – BUILTNY Lunch Bag
- OmieLife.com – OmieLife Kids Lunch Boxes
- Bentgo.com – Bentgo Lunch Boxes for Kids
- PrepNaturals.com – Prep Naturals Meal-prepping Containers
Step Up: Recycle, Reuse & Reduce
The three arrows of the recycling symbol represent the three main stages of the recycling process: recycling, reusing and reducing. Together the arrows form a closed loop. Step up and implement eco-friendly replacements in your daily life.
Join the movement! Step Up the waste hierarchy together to a goal of Zero Waste.
By Cara Dettmann/ 9 January 2020