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If you want to send your kid to school with a healthy lunch but are committed to reducing your environmental impact, you need an eco-friendly lunch box! See our top picks for the best eco friendly lunch box for kids to find the perfect bag for your little ones.
Best Eco Friendly Lunch Box
There are many reasons to switch your kids to a sustainable lunch box! These boxes are more sustainable and more likely to be free of harmful ingredients like BPA, forever chemicals, endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and more. These eco-friendly lunch boxes are better for the planet and your family’s health.
To ensure your lunch box is made with sustainable practices and non-toxic materials, it’s essential to research the quality and standards of each company. Some companies uphold sustainability as their most important value, while others are taking a step in the right direction by using recycled plastics or alternative plastics. In this blog post, you’ll see an assortment of options to help you find the best eco friendly lunch box for your kids.
Just as a reminder, it’s important to remember that purchasing new items is never as sustainable as taking care of the things you already have. Chances are high that you already have an old lunch box that can get a new life.
Or, you can repurpose an organic cotton bag and fill it with waste-free containers like silicone bags or repurpose your old plastic containers. This is the most sustainable option out there!
BEST ECO-FRIENDLY LUNCH BOX
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What to Look for in an Eco-Friendly Lunch Box
With so many companies touting themselves as “green,” it can be challenging for consumers to see past the marketing hype. Use these principles to help identify a truly eco friendly kids’ lunch box to send your child’s lunch without any guilt.
- Made to last: Look for high-quality stitching or indestructible components like stainless steel that can withstand everyday use. Avoid containers with fiddly parts that look like they’re about to break on day one!
- Plastic-free: Although it’s not always easy to find plastic-free lunch boxes, you can look for containers made with recycled plastic or choose kids’ lunch boxes made with natural materials instead.
- Ethical production: Aim for eco friendly lunch boxes produced in your home country using fair labor practices.
- Non-toxic materials: Prioritize natural materials and look for the company’s stance on material testing. Companies that spend extra to use non-toxic materials will typically make that known!
Best Eco-Friendly Lunch Boxes for Kids
This school year, let’s switch your kids to eco friendly lunch boxes that are safe for them and the planet. These are the best lunch boxes for kids because they are safe, ethically produced, and practical.
1. Fluf
Made in Canva, these sustainable lunch boxes are perfect for little kids. They are made using the best quality GOTS-certified organic cotton and GRS-certified recycled plastic for the liners.
Fluf only makes products that meet their strict safety standards and are tested regularly to ensure they are free from BPA, endocrine disruptors, fire retardants, phthalates, and more. Despite these exceptional standards, they look the most like regular lunch boxes out of any option on this list. They have a variety of colors and designs; we love the shark bite design the best!
2. Planetbox Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes
These are some of the most popular eco friendly lunch boxes for kids because they are truly made to last and can handle years of use (perfect for families with multiple kids).
These stainless steel bento boxes can be washed directly in the dishwasher for easy and convenient clean-up. Plus, Planetbox has 3 different sizes to meet the appetite of anyone in your family.
The only downside is the cost. Like many eco-friendly alternatives, Planetbox has a hefty price tag. This is a great option for families with kids of multiple ages, as your kids could pass along the lunch box when they outgrow it.
3. Planetbox Recycled Plastic Insulated Lunch Bag
This brand makes is on this list twice for good reason! Since the metal lunch containers described above have no handle, they must be carried in a case.
Fortunately, Planetbox makes a variety of lovely lunch boxes using 100% recycled materials. They are made to fit the Planetbox Rover and Launch-sized bento boxes, so they can last each child for a long time! Each bag has a generous front pocket and bottle holder, making this a convenient choice for kids of all ages.
Planetbox even has some bundles to help you get the metal case and eco friendly lunch bag at a discounted price!
4. Etee
These simple waxed canvas bags look like old-fashioned brown bags but are made with organic cotton coated with a mixture of beeswax and other oils to make them water-resistant.
They have a roll-up top that clips into metal fasteners, which may be tricky for young kids. These bags also do not have a handle or water bottle pocket, so they’re best for older kids who can carry the lunch bag in their backpacks.
5. EcoBags
EcoBags offers a simple lunch bag made from recycled cotton and other natural materials. They are similar in style to the Etee bags above but close with velcro and have a rope handle.
They are affordable (around $8) but not insulated and may stain easily. This is an excellent option for kids who want to decorate their lunch bags with colorfast markers!
6. Ecozoi Stainless Steel Container
This metal bento box is an affordable alternative to the more expensive Planetbox set above and has strong reviews. With a 35 oz capacity, this little lunch box is great for kids or grown-ups. This brand offers a lifetime warranty, so you can genuinely buy it for life.
7. LunchBots Stainless Steel Lunch Box
LunchBots makes one of the best bento boxes for kids, and they offer a variety of sizes to meet any appetite. Their Protein Packer has a bunch of small compartments perfectly sized for little hands. Meanwhile, their largest box can fit a full-size sandwich.
We love that these can easily be packed in school lunches and then be sent directly through the dishwasher each night. Prices range from $20-40, and they will last a very long time.
8. The Munchie Bag Insulated Bag
With two simple color choices (pink or army green), the Munchie bag is a great eco-friendly option for middle and high schoolers.
This cube-shaped bag is made with organic materials and is large enough to carry a sandwich and plenty of sides. Plus, it’s affordable at around $27.
9. Ten Little Recycled Plastic Lunch Box
This affordable reusable lunch box comes in two colorful 90s-inspired color choices. These bags look like regular lunch bags, but they are actually made with recycled textiles for a smaller carbon footprint.
It’s a great entry-level option for kids with chunky zippers that are easy for little fingers to grab and plenty of room for their PB&Js and snacks.
10. Wool Insulated Organic Bag
This plastic-free lunch bag takes advantage of wool’s natural thermal properties to keep cold food cold. The lining can be removed to wash, which is perfect for tackling spills and crumbs.
It’s perfect for older kids as it can hold a large capacity. We love the long handle and neutral color choices.
11. Out of the Woods Walrus Mini Lunch
The Walrus Mini Lunch bag is so cute; you’ll want one yourself! Out of the Woods turned their popular carrying bag into a lunch bag that can hold a lot of food.
This bag is made with their “supernatural paper,” a type of water-resistant coating made from cellulose bonded with synthetic latex.
This option isn’t the most eco-friendly option since it’s made with synthetic latex and has some new plastic, but it is a step in the right direction, and these bags are made to last.
ut this is just to give you an idea of the layout.
12. Pottery Barn Kids Recycled Plastic Rectangle
We love these plastic bento boxes from Pottery Barn! They’re made entirely from recycled plastic and are free from BPA, lead, and other toxins. The best part is that they are freezer safe and can be run through the top rack of the dishwasher for easy clean-up.
How long can the clasp handle daily wear and tear, though? Priced at about $20, they are a reasonably priced alternative to stainless steel.
13. Austin Baby Co Leak-Proof Bento Lunch Box
How cute is the assortment of eco-friendly lunch boxes from Austin Baby Co? They’re made from high-quality food grade silicone and have five leak-proof individually sealed compartments.
The different designs and colors are perfect for little ones, but kids of every age will love the spacious compartments and whimsical patterns. Plus, they’re easy to open and can easily stack inside one another for compact storage in your home.
14. Equinox Organic Cotton Lunch Bag
These affordable organic cotton lunch bags resemble classic brown paper bags but are made from organic cotton. For young kids who carry their bags to the cafeteria, these bags don’t have a handle or water bottle pocket, which can be a con.
However, the quality is very high, and the toggle closure is an excellent alternative to products like velcro or zippers that break down over time.
You can toss a sandwich into a stasher bag and snacks into reusable snack containers or bags and then pack it all up in this stylish organic lunch bag for a waste free lunch. This is a great choice for older kids!
What is the Best Eco Friendly Lunch Box for Kids?
Although we adore Fluf’s cute and colorful designs and their commitment to the environment, we’re sold on the Planetbox bundles for several reasons.
First, they have some of the best-rated stainless steel lunch boxes that are truly made to last. Plus, their lunch bags are made from recycled plastic but have the cute designs kids know and crave. The Planetbox bags also have all the features you expect like a waterproof lining, pockets, and a convenient front-side water bottle pocket.
Although the Planetbox bento boxes and bags are pricey, the bundles help you get the entire set for less, and that investment is worth it for how long they will last and their ease of use.
