As the new school year approaches, many parents enter hyper organized mode. Part of this frenzy includes preparing to once again pack lunches and snacks for school and daily activities.
A key component to most packed lunches is a baggie/wrap/container for sandwiches and snacks. But before you reach for those plastic baggies, we hope you'll consider the terrific alternatives below.
Instead of using hundreds (and ultimately thousands) of plastic baggies, think about a very simple change: opt for a durable, washable and food-safe reusable sandwich bag.
Yes, this does add a teeny bit more work to packing a lunch. And yes, it is easier to throw away a plastic baggie (or three), while unpacking your child's lunchbox. So, if this has been a part of your lunchbox routine, then we agree, it's an adjustment, but a rewarding one indeed. And, finally, even at the risk of losing these reusable gems to the trash can, there are a lot of upsides, too...
- This is a perfect and simple way to minimize waste.
- Cleaning is easy - just flip inside out and either wipe clean or wash in the dishwasher or the washing machine. Often, just a quick wipe cleans out the remaining bread crumbs and it's ready to go again.
- The materials used are practical, durable and safe for food (unlike plastic). There is no risk that harmful chemicals will leach into your packed food through these bags.
- Writing your child's name on the nameplate (Lunchskins) or even on the outside is an easy start to avoiding the trash can. The fun patterns and colors also make these something that kids will WANT to keep around!
- Lead by example: your child will pick up on the effort to reduce waste!
Now, since we have several different styles, here's a breakdown to help select one the brand that most fits your needs. The fabric pattern choices are yet another personal choice, but that's usually left up to the kids.
SNACK TAXI: Snack taxi is a pouch style sandwich bag. This is the best style for packing a traditional "bag style" sandwich or side of chips. There are 2 sizes: snack and sandwich. The interior is lined with a food safe nylon material which can be easily cleaned. The outside material is cotton with a variety of different graphic patterns, along with a velcro strip for easy closure. Made in the Massachusetts. Click here to see all of our Snack taxi patterns.
SEMILLA WRAPS: The Semilla wraps are made with organic cotton on the outside and nylon
on the inside. What stands these apart from other reusable bags is that they double as a 13" round placemat when they're opened up. Now, this dual purpose is certainly a perk for some, it's also good to note that this particular wrap is best suited for sandwiches, even the messy ones, rather than a pile of crunchy snacks. Also made in the US and easy to clean and close with velcro tabs. Click here to see all of our Semilla wrap designs.
LUNCHSKINS: Also made in the pouch style, LunchSkins differ in that they're made from a lightweight, quick-drying food-safe material--the same used in bakeries for pastry bags. LunchSkins are also grease-proof and moisture proof making them ideal for messy sandwiches and snacks. There is a convenient place to write your child's name on the nameplate. Click here to see all of the LunchSkins patterns.
KIDS KONSERVE - FOOD KOZY: These reusable sandwich wraps are similar to the Semilla wraps where they double as a placemat (perfect for school lunches) and also have velcro closures. Made from LPDE #4 plastic, these wraps are free of BPA, PVC, phthalates and lead. Easily recyclable (just cut off the velcro) and a breeze to clean. Measures at 13" round in several color options and comes in a set of 2.
ECO DITTY: If you prefer a sandwich bag that is made entirely from organic cotton, inside and out, the Eco Ditty reusable bag is the best choice. The outer fabric is printed with low-impact dyes and the inside is un-dyed organic cotton. A velcro tab keeps this bag closed. To clean, either handwash or machine wash. Click here to see all of Eco-ditty's patterns.
5 different functional styles and many fabulous patterns to choose. All 5 of the styles are made by inspired parents (here in the US) who wanted to make a difference in the amount of waste produced by disposable plastic bags. All are made with durable and safe materials free of BPA, lead and phthalates.
And finally, when your child is asked to bring a "disposable" lunch for days when kids travel on field trips, we have a solution here too! 100% unbleached paper sandwich bags are petroleum free, chlorine free, recycled paper bags that are perfectly suitable to pack sandwiches and snacks. And then recycle.
Which style do you prefer?
