Plastic-Free Lunch Packing Supplies for School

Maia James
Plastic-Free Lunch Packing Supplies for School
11 comments

Can you believe it’s already time to start thinking about back-to-school? I think some of you have may have even already started?! Talk about waaaaah!

In my kids’ public school in Brooklyn, teachers collect money at the beginning of the year to pay for supplies, which makes life easier for sure.

All I have to buy in anticipation of school this year (besides clothing) is lunch packing gear. Of course, this category of supplies can be confusing (as well as expensive!), especially if you’re like me and trying to avoid plastic.

Below is a curated list of the best plastic-free (or at least ALMOST plastic-free) lunch packing supplies I’ve found.

Eco-Friendly Lunch Box

Padded and insulated, this Petit Collage lunchbox easily wipes clean (I use these wipes), so it doesn’t get stinky and gross. The interior mesh pocket is perfect for holding utensils and ice packs. And it’s free of BPA, PVC, and phthalates.

Buy from Gimme

Sandwich Wrap

Bee’s Wrap, made of beeswax and organic cotton, has been a revelation for our family–we no longer need plastic wrap! This genius sandwich wrap allows you to build a sandwich, fold in the corners and, and wrap the string around the wooden bee button. Bee’s Wraps can be washed and reused for years.

Buy from Amazon

Bento Box

For kids who don’t want their foods to touch, a stainless steel bento box keeps lunch items separate.

Buy from Amazon

Stainless Cube

I love not having to worry about squished sandwiches when I use this stainless steel Solo Cube, which is also great for storing leftovers.

Buy from Gimme

Insulated Thermos

When you’ve got picky kids like I do, you have to get creative with lunch-packing. How about oatmeal with chia seeds and a touch of maple syrup? Thermos’s Foogo container keeps foods warm (or cold) for lunchtime.

Buy from Amazon

Silicone Snacker

These have been a go-to in our house for years. I fill them with berries, leftover pasta, or yogurt, and the cup collapses down when empty so it takes up very little room.

Buy from Amazon

Ziplock Alternative

These patented, award-winning silicone bags are eco-friendly, environmentally safe, and long-lasting.

Buy from Amazon

Foldable Spork

This spork features a deep bowl shape to make it easy to eat stews, but also tiny tines that can grab something like a carrot easily. The companion organic cotton pouch makes it easy to stow cleanly when on the go. 

Buy from Amazon

Lunch Pod

My boys love these little pods in their lunch boxes. Usually, they will find shelled edamame or pistachios inside, but sometimes it’s something more exciting, like cookies or chocolates.

Buy from ECOlunchbox

Snack Cubes

These cubes are the easiest way I have found to store small amounts of leftovers–they go straight into the fridge and then into a lunch box the next day (think fruit salad, guacamole, or roasted veggies). They also are a great way to store and freeze breastmilk; and for all of you wondering, my kids were weaned before they started kindergarten so no, I am not packing breastmilk into lunch boxes.

Buy from Amazon

All-In One

I haven’t splurged on this PlanetBox kit yet, but I see them around my neighborhood and am tempted! 

Buy from Amazon

Straw & Sports Bottle

These are the only bottles we’ve had–one can take you all the way from infant to adult if you want it to (you simply switch out the top). For school-aged kids, I go for either the straw or the sport top (both of which are made of silicone, not plastic). 

Buy from Pura

Please feel free to share your own favorite lunch-packing supplies in the comments below!

Stay sane, and have a wonderful rest of your summer!
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Maia, Founder & CEO

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Tags:Kid Stuff

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11 comments

Meg

Julie,
Are you talking about the 3 vent holds on the bottom rim of the top? Or is there another hole? I had already tried doing this on the vent holes but it only helped a little.

Julie

This happened to mine too, there was a spot on the rubber top where there was supposed to be a hole but it wasn’t punctured all the way through. I took a needle and poked it through and now the cup works way better!

Meg

Hi Maia,
I was wondering if you’ve ever had any issues with the pura straw top? I really love this bottle as does my son but recently I’ve had a lot of problems with the suction not working properly as in even I can’t get anything up the straw, nevermind my toddler. Only after a lot of fiddling with the straw or loostening the top does it work properly. I’m sure it would be great with the sport top but my son isn’t old enough for that yet.

Michelle

Great list! I just came across U Konserve (http://www.ukonserve.com/) too. It seems like some of their products have potential as well.

Maia james

Cool water is key!

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