Eco-friendly Lunchbox Supplies for Back to School

When it comes to back-to-school, green is the way to go! Instead of throwing away plastic and paper products in the trash every day, invest in some reusable eco-friendly lunch box supplies for your kids this school year. The ones listed below are durable and will last for years. Our family owns several of the items that I’ve listed here and use them all the time for school lunches, snacks, and picnics.

Here are some of the green items that my kids’ lunch boxes are never without:

Reusable cloth lunch bags:

• Mimi the Sardine's lunch bags, like their signature Lunchbug (shown here), are made right here in the Bay Area from cotton fabrics designed and produced in Sweden. Their fabrics are spill-resistant, machine-washable, meet the Oeko-Tex 100 Standard, and are made without harmful chemicals. They even come in colorful patterns that mom and dad might even consider taking to work! Prices range from $18.55 to $26.50. Visit their retail store in Corte Madera at 305-A Montecito Avenue.

Sandwich wraps:

• LunchSkins sandwich bags are perfect for holding sandwiches, chips, vegetables, or any other lunch item. LunchSkins are made from a thick cotton fabric that is coated with a food-safe polyurethane liner. They’re dishwater-safe, durable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns like pink berry flower, green lizard, navy shark, red bird, mango slice, and red apple. Snack bags are $7.85 and LunchSkins are $8.95.
• Graze Organic sandwich and snack bags are made of washable and durable organic cotton, so they'll last for countless uses and eliminate the need for disposable plastic baggies. A velcro closure keeps contents secure and fresh. Designs are suited for both kids and adults—original artwork is screen printed by hand with water-based ink. Prices start at $ 24.00 for a set of 3 bags.

Stainless steel containers:

• Kids Konserve offers stainless steel containers in a variety of sizes. Their containers are easy to keep clean and come with BPA-free lids for snacks and lunch items; sizes range from 5 to 16 ounces. They also offer a leak-proof 33-ounce rectangular steel container that’s perfect for sandwiches and salads and a 12-ounce insulated food jar that keeps for hot or cold for hours. We bought some last year and I use them all the time for cut-up fruits and veggies, yogurt, applesauce, and even cookies and crackers. The stainless steel containers range in price from $16.50–$27.00.
• LunchBots stainless steal containers are extremely durable. I have a few different sizes and use them for everything. The covers are stainless steel too, so you can throw the whole think into the dishwasher. They also offer a leak-proof condiment container, and an insulated container that is perfect for keeping cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Prices start at $14.99.

Stainless steel water and glass water bottles:

• Stainless steel water bottles from Kleen Kanteen are a must have for kids (and grownups, for that matter), and come in a wide range of colors and sizes. They even have baby bottles and sippy cups! We have a number of Kleen Kanteens in our house, and not only send them with the kids to school, but take them on hikes and car trips, too. Prices start at $14.95.
• Lifefactory, a local Sausalito company, offers terrific glass bottles with flip top caps and silicone sleeves. They’re easy to carry and even fit in car cup holders. Their line also includes sippy cups and baby bottles. Prices start at $14.99.

Cloth napkins:

• Mom-owned local company Fabkins makes a variety of super-cute, 100% organic, cloth napkins for kids in a variety of super cute designs. These are a great solution for cleaning hands and mouths without the waste. Design themes include sweet treats, flower power, prima ballerina, African safari, sports fan and lots of other styles and colors. You can personalize them, too. A starter set of two Fabkins napkins starts at $7.95.

Utensils:

• ToGo Ware offers reusable bamboo utensils that come in a carrier case. Sometimes utensils are a necessity for soups, pasta, rice, or salad at lunch, and these are a nice alternative to plastic cutlery. Each set come with a fork, spoon, knife, and even a set of chopsticks. They are heat and stain resistant and are lightweight and strong. The bamboo utensil set costs $13.99.