reusable "ziplocks" and other lunchbox items?

[dAZ]

I'm trying to reduce our plastic use as much as possible. We use reusable grocery bags and produce bags but now I want to reduce plastic use in the kids lunch boxes. Do you have any suggestions or favorite products?

[isabel]

Ok, so this topic has come up a few times and I need to ask this question... do you have perfectly good plastic containers that you are looking to replace? If so, why?

As things wear and have to be tossed, I'd replace containers with glass or stainless steel. Both are more recyclable options and will hold up for a long time. We have some Nordic by Nature reusable ziplocks, but they aren't great for anything but dry, crunchy foods. They breathe too much, so bread, fruit, etc. dries out. Target has some nice silicone baggies, but they're $$$. Honestly, we don't really use baggies at all anymore. We have enough variety of containers that pretty much everything goes in those, though that can obviously get a bit bulky. There are lots of popular bento style lunch containers (some in stainless) that can be used for lunchboxes, but they're generally not cheap.

Personally, we have lots of plastic containers for food storage. Since they last ages, I don't have plans to replace them. My focus has been more on single use plastic, like grocery/produce bags, shampoo (we switched fully over to bar shampoo and soap), using cleaning concentrates with the existing plastic cleaning bottles we have so that we're not throwing them out each time one empties, etc.

[ssmjlm]

Well schools don't allow glass, so we just use tupperware. I do a mix of tupperware and glass. I'm slowly adding glass as the tupperware gets yucky.

I'm not a huge fan of the 2 types of reusable bags I've tried. I try and pack sandwiches in tupperware. They are ok for things like goldfish/cheez-its snacks.

[dAZ]

Hmmm, that's an interesting thought. We tend to use a lot of ziplock baggies for pirate booty, crackers, etc. because it takes less room but I'm willing to consider other options. We used shampoo bars while traveling but have not switched over while at home, do you have a favorite because my hair turned to straw.

[goldengirlz]

We bought some from Lunchskins that we like.

[countthestars]

I haven't made the switch to true reusable yet, but I do have my kids bring home their baggies and use them for a week+ before switching to a new bag. We typically send most of their food in tupperware with 1 baggy of crackers, pretzels, or dry cereal. Those stay clean enough that I can reuse for quite a while.

[isabel]

Aug 29, 2019 8:15:45 GMT -5 dAZ said:

Hmmm, that's an interesting thought. We tend to use a lot of ziplock baggies for pirate booty, crackers, etc. because it takes less room but I'm willing to consider other options. We used shampoo bars while traveling but have not switched over while at home, do you have a favorite because my hair turned to straw.

The Nordic by Nature bags would work well for pirate booty and crackers. They're great for that stuff, just not for anything that needs to hold moisture. They come in cute patterns too.

We use containers for all that stuff and I switched over marinating meat in containers instead of plastic bags. My kids are only 2 and 4 so not eating a ton of food, but I have no problem fitting all their containers into their lunchboxes. I think to some degree, with anything that's disposable, the best thing you can do is just ask yourself if there's a better option. I haven't purchased paper towels in well over a year. We use towels for everything. (Granted, I don't have pets and am not cleaning up messes like that and for anything really disgusting, we do end up tossing the towel since we have lots that are stained and just used for cleaning.)

For hair care, I've been using Chagrin Valley products. We've tried a few different things between the 4 of us and I'm still experimenting with my kids, but since they're boys, it's no big deal if the shampoo doesn't work for them. No hair tangles. They do sell sample bars as well. For me, I've been using their lavender and rosemary shampoo bar and then an apple cider vinegar rinse (About 1:4 ACV to water) as conditioner. It's taken a few months of adjustment, but I'm actually really happy with the routine I have down now and my hair is nice and soft. Your hair is always going to feel squeaky/like straw in the shower when rinsing bar shampoo because it doesn't contain the chemicals that coat your hair. But the ACV rinse really shines things up nicely and makes it easy to brush/provides softness. They also sell shaving bars, which I've used, but I'm actually just using my bar soap now for shaving and haven't had any issues with that. I haven't purchased any plastic shower products in the 6 or so months that we've been doing this.

eta: Chagrin Valley is 100% plastic free packaging unless you purchase something in a glass bottle. I did that the first time when I bought their ACV rinse, but now I just use the Bragg ACV from the store.

[ssmjlm]

Also, I bought a set of reusable silicone cupcake cups on amazon and will use those to divide a container like a bentgo box.

[fivechickens]

I have these and like them. I have the snack bag size that sits on its own and sandwich bag size. Both 5 packs.

rezip.com/

You can get them at Target and on Amazon.

[jennybee1018]

Aug 29, 2019 8:19:23 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

We bought some from Lunchskins that we like.

I was coming in to recommend these too! I really like them for sandwiches, carrots, chips, etc :-)

For drinks, I love my 9oz Swell Bottle :-)

[dAZ]

Aug 29, 2019 9:02:40 GMT -5 jennybee1018 said:

Aug 29, 2019 8:19:23 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

We bought some from Lunchskins that we like.

I was coming in to recommend these too! I really like them for sandwiches, carrots, chips, etc :-)

For drinks, I love my 9oz Swell Bottle :-)

For the Lunchskins are you guys talking about the reusable zip bags or paper bags?

[minzy]

Good for you for thinking about this stuff! We have been using plastic Sistema containers for a few years and I will continue with those for now. However, I, too, have heard good things about Lunchskins (the founder is semi-local to me and we have a contact in common who recommended them to me). I have been in touch with the company about a possible fundraiser for our PTA, so that might be an option for other schools looking to make a bigger difference on the lunchroom waste front.

[namasteak]

Bento type boxes work really well for my kids. If a section is too big I just use silicone cupcake liners to further divide.

[Que?]

Single use plastic 😡 whyyyyyyyy? It’s so easy not to use and throw out a single use plastic bag every day. This thread is making my head explode: “I’m open to other options” how are we still at the beginning? Has anyone looked at a fucking Facebook post about the environment lately?
I live in a hippy town. If you tried to buy a box of ziplocks here you would have a hard time finding them, and they would be $$$$. However, every store sells beeswax paper, reusable fabric and silicone bags in all sizes, all manner of refillable jars and etc. I hope this is the future but fuck it seems so far away.
Fuck. The amazon is burning and we can’t even pack a conscious fucking lunch.

[isabel]

Aug 29, 2019 10:36:30 GMT -5 Que? said:

Single use plastic 😡 whyyyyyyyy? It’s so easy not to use and throw out a single use plastic bag every day. This thread is making my head explode: “I’m open to other options” how are we still at the beginning? Has anyone looked at a fucking Facebook post about the environment lately?
I live in a hippy town. If you tried to buy a box of ziplocks here you would have a hard time finding them, and they would be $$$$. However, every store sells beeswax paper, reusable fabric and silicone bags in all sizes, all manner of refillable jars and etc. I hope this is the future but fuck it seems so far away.
Fuck. The amazon is burning and we can’t even pack a conscious fucking lunch.

I walked into the break room today and my coworker was putting a slice of toast on a paper plate. We have dozens of regular ceramic plates and two dishwashers. I literally do not comprehend this choice. When I asked her why she was using paper instead of a regular plate she just shrugged. WHYYYYY!?!?!

[carmenere]

For anything that doesn't need to be totally sealed, like a sandwich, reusable wax cloths are great. We also use them at home instead of plastic wrap.

[goldengirlz]

Aug 29, 2019 9:17:17 GMT -5 dAZ said:

Aug 29, 2019 9:02:40 GMT -5 jennybee1018 said:

I was coming in to recommend these too! I really like them for sandwiches, carrots, chips, etc :-)

For drinks, I love my 9oz Swell Bottle :-)

For the Lunchskins are you guys talking about the reusable zip bags or paper bags?

We have them in different sizes, but they’re ziplock-size — we have the size that holds a sandwich and ones that are about half as large. (No lunch bag sizes)

[purplepenguin7]

I got a bunch of these a few months ago and really like them. They wash well and I've even thrown them in the dishwasher even though I don't think they are technically dishwasher-safe. They have different sizes and patterns, available at amazon and target. www.amazon.com/Full-Circle-ZipTuck-Reusable-Plastic/dp/B07MJXKYNC/ref=asc_df_B07MJXKYNC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309773066390&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3431319813009159502&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003465&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-667031943314&psc=1

[FastHands]

Aug 29, 2019 8:33:01 GMT -5 fivechickens said:

I have these and like them. I have the snack bag size that sits on its own and sandwich bag size. Both 5 packs.

rezip.com/

You can get them at Target and on Amazon.

I have a couple of these and will be adding to the collection.

I also use a variety of sistema containers. The yogurt size and the small click top ones are good for cut fruit or anything that might get messy/crushed in the ziptop. And I like their click top sandwich containers too.

I'm new to the packing-lunch game so we definitely needed to buy some smaller things. I like this better than a bento box because it allows more flexibility.

[akayf]

I bought a 4 pack of reusable bags at home goods or Tj maxx last year. No idea what brand. 2 sandwich size ones and 2 snack size. My 8 year old used them daily for dry stuff(pretzels, graham crackers, tortilla chips, etc)

We use seistma boxes and bento box like boxes I picked up Aldi. . My older son loves his Aldi one. Sandwich goes in the bottom. Then 3 little containers go on top for snack items.

My oldest is in 6th. We have been using reusable boxes/containers since he was in K. My younger guy is now in 3rd. Neither kid has lost a box. Both kids have also always brought reusable water bottles. This past school year, I started giving them cloth napkins and Regular utensils. I think we lost 1 napkin. For utensils, we have a set from ikea that is completely difffernt from our regular silverware so it’s easy to sort out.

[CloudBee]

We use these zippered Bumpkins bags for some snacks. I flip them inside out and wash with our laundry.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M27XC7X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are our favorite. I love the circular shape as well. (Check out their other styles, too, including the Blue Wave Bento line which is leak-proof. We put sliced fruit in those) We use them almost exclusively for DS's school snack.
ecolunchboxes.com/collections/lunch-boxes/products/ecolunchpod

[boiler717]

We mostly use sistema containers but I also save and reuse glass and plastic food jars for use in lunchboxes. They are often great sizes, easy for my 3 year old to open, free, and I don’t mind if they go missing. Condiment jars are great sizes in particular.

[spitforspat]

Itzy Ritzy has cute reusable bags. I like them because you can throw them in the washing machine with your laundry.

[DotAndBuzz]

www.amazon.com/Bumkins-Snack-Reusable-Washable-2-Pack/dp/B079FZ4M5V/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=bumkins%2Blunch%2Bbag&qid=1567102271&s=gateway&sr=8-4&th=1

Bumkins bags.

I got like 6 big and 12 small bags, and it's been fantastic. Haven't bought single use snack bags in over a year, and the only thing I use them for now is when we board our dog (kennel requires individually portioned food baggies, or they charge you an extra $2/meal). Turn them inside out to wash, put in the dishwasher, turn them right-side out to dry when the dishwasher is done, and they dry super fast. Some of the reviews are like "not water tight, don't use for soup." Yeah, OBVIOUSLY. It's a bag. You don't send soup in a bag. But they're great for kids' lunch stuff. No issue with things getting stale, even for post-school snacks. You can use them for "wet" snacks like carrot sticks or deli meat, but my kids preferred those in a square tupperware type container, so I used those too.

The link has lots of color options, just click the arrow to the right by color choices.

[cleo29]

I have bento boxes and plastic sandwich holders for their lunches and then I have some reusable bags that are washable. I bought them at LLBean and like them a lot.

[cleo29]

I have bento boxes and plastic sandwich holders for their lunches and then I have some reusable bags that are washable. I bought them at LLBean and like them a lot.

[Poppy]

We have a Stasher bag from Target that I like. It seals well. But day to day we put those types of DS' snacks in our plastic reusable containers (lunchblox).

[imojoebunny]

DD takes her lunch and uses Ball Jars for smoothies/drinks and tupperware for sandwiches and other items. They are so much easier to wash than the reusable bags, and the rubbermaid brand last for years. There are similar glass containers, with silicone gaskets, if you want to buy something new. We already had a set of rubbermaid tupperware. She has an aluminum thermos (some other brand) thing from REI for hot things. This thing. www.rei.com/product/100136/hydro-flask-food-flask

[VillainV]

Aug 29, 2019 10:36:30 GMT -5 Que? said:

I live in a hippy town. If you tried to buy a box of ziplocks here you would have a hard time finding them, and they would be $$$$. However, every store sells beeswax paper, reusable fabric and silicone bags in all sizes, all manner of refillable jars and etc. I hope this is the future but fuck it seems so far away.
Fuck. The amazon is burning and we can’t even pack a conscious fucking lunch.

This must be #regional, because I have a VERY hard time finding those items where I am (FL panhandle). Heck, people here barely recycle. We are working hard to reduce our family’s use of single-use plastics, but it’s a challenge here. I hope someday it will be at the forefront of everyone’s consciousness here as much as it is where you are, and that those items become readily available and affordable here.

[goldengirlz]

Aug 29, 2019 15:18:03 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Aug 29, 2019 10:36:30 GMT -5 Que? said:

I live in a hippy town. If you tried to buy a box of ziplocks here you would have a hard time finding them, and they would be $$$$. However, every store sells beeswax paper, reusable fabric and silicone bags in all sizes, all manner of refillable jars and etc. I hope this is the future but fuck it seems so far away.
Fuck. The amazon is burning and we can’t even pack a conscious fucking lunch.

This must be #regional, because I have a VERY hard time finding those items where I am (FL panhandle). Heck, people here barely recycle. We are working hard to reduce our family’s use of single-use plastics, but it’s a challenge here. I hope someday it will be at the forefront of everyone’s consciousness here as much as it is where you are, and that those items become readily available and affordable here.

I’m always amazed when I go to different states and see how differently they approach waste. Here, we have a pretty robust composting and recycling program; you can easily find products like compostable garbage bags, utensils and cups in drug stores; and we’ve banned single-use plastic bags, straws and now water bottles (even in the airport!) We have paper shopping bag charges ranging anywhere from $0.10 to $0.25.

It is NOT like that everywhere. It’s not even like that everywhere in environmentally-conscious states.

I think people should definitely be more conscious about these things and put pressure on their elected officials ... but “just go to your local store and get some beeswax bags” seems ... unnecessarily smug.