How to Make Lunchtime More Sustainable

Does it bother you how many plastic baggies, bottles, and trash you go through when packing your kiddo’s lunch? If you’re ready to make your home more sustainable and set a good example for your kids, a great place to start is with their lunchbox. Keep reading to learn about ways to cut down on plastics,  make lunchtime more sustainable, and the one lunchbox you need to get you started!

Why Make Lunchtime More Sustainable?

One of the benefits of single-use plastics is that you can toss them into the recycling bin and not have to worry about cleaning them. So,  why make the switch?

Single-use plastics are disposable packaging and other items designed to be used only once and then discarded. Unlike refillable and reusable food ware, single-use Plastics consume a huge amount of energy, water, and natural resources to serve a customer for just a few minutes. Some are truly recyclable, like water bottles, but are still quite wasteful. Others like to-go food ware boxes may have a recycling symbol on them but are hard and costly to recycle, frequently ending up dumped, burned, or littered. Still others, like plastic utensils, straws, cups, and lids, have no good destination and end up costing a lot to send to a landfill or clean up off the streets. If handled poorly, all of these items can end up polluting our oceans, killing wildlife, and harming our ecosystems. (source: PlasticPollutionCoalition.org)

By switching to reusable plastics and cutting down significantly on your use of single-use plastics, you are not only helping the environment, but you are also setting a great example of habits for your little one to mimic, as well as creating a learning opportunity for them.

Ways to Cut Down on Plastics

There are so many ways you can make your child’s lunch more sustainable. Three of the easiest ways you can start right away include using reusable water bottles, investing in reusable food storage bags, and making the switch to a stainless steel lunchbox.

Use Reusable Water Bottles

A very easy way to start being more sustainable at lunch, or any meal, is by making the  switch to reusable water bottles. The average person uses 13 plastic water bottles a month. By opting for a reusable water bottle, you personally can help cut down on plastic water bottle use by approximately 156 bottles – every single year. (source: ProjectCleanWater.org)

Plastic water bottles pollute our oceans and waterways because they aren’t as recyclable as you would think. Switching to a reusable water bottle helps cut down significantly on the amount of plastic being dumped into the oceans and waterways.

Finally, another great reason to switch to a reusable water bottle is because it will save you money! Reusable water bottles cost, on average, around $20. A large pack of water bottles will cost you around the same. A reusable water bottle can last you for years, which will give you a savings of thousands over time.

Reusable Food Storage Bags

Sometimes, food storage bags are the best option for certain foods when it comes to packing a lunch or storing them in your fridge. Luckily, you don’t have to feel bad about using them and being wasteful anymore. Reusable food storage bags are a great option for families who love to use them and do not want to stop.

Reusable food storage bags are generally made of silicone. As you know from Innobaby’s extensive line of silicone food and bath essentials, silicone is a great material to use for food storage. It does not harbor mold, it is super easy to clean, dishwasher safe, freezer safe, microwave safe, oven safe, does not have any toxins, and is very durable and long-lasting.

Switch to a Stainless Steel Lunchbox

Innobaby's Keepin' Fresh Stainless Steel Snack Box is a SMART food storage solution for home and on-the-go for families looking to become more sustainable at lunchtime!

Great for storing sandwiches, pastas, veggies and more, our unique divided design keeps food separated and mess-free. The double-lined wall keeps food cold or warm up to 2 times longer than standard containers while acting as a protective shell to protect little hands from extreme temperatures.

The airtight hinged lid is a snap to open and close, seals in freshness, and is simple enough for toddlers and small children to use. The perfectly portioned stainless steel bentos are easy to wash too, thanks to the removable stainless insert, and are top rack dishwasher safe.  Innobaby's Keepin' Fresh Bentos are also freezer-safe, BPA-free, phthalate-free, PVC-free, and lead-free.

• SAFE FOR YOUR CHILD - The original Innobaby Stainless Steel Container is made of the highest quality, food-grade 304 stainless steel (18/10 stainless) in South Korea. This product is non-toxic, BPA-free, phthalate-free, PVC-free, and lead-free.
• LEAK-PROOF DESIGN - Our airtight, leakproof lids seal in the freshness to keep food fresher for longer. The easy-to-use lid is a breeze to snap on and off, even for young children and toddlers.
• HELPS KEEP FOOD FRESH - The double wall design means food stays warm or cold longer than traditional snack containers or sandwich bags (2 times longer!) The removable plastic outer layer also doubles as a protective shell to keep little hands safe from extreme temperatures.
• ECO-FRIENDLY STAINLESS STEEL - Our rectangular snack boxes make a great alternative to classic sandwich bags because they are washable and reusable, eliminating excess waste. Ideal for zero-waste school lunches.
• EASY TO CLEAN – All parts can be separated for easy washing. Top rack dishwasher safe, however, due to the nature of different materials used in this product, hand washing is recommended to extend use. When freezing, fill the container 2/3 of the way since foods will expand once frozen.

  

   

Ready to make the switch to even more sustainable family products? Check us out at  innobaby.com!