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Mindful Momma

Simple Inspired Natural Living


The Best Reusable Lunch Containers For All Your Individual Needs

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Find the best reusable lunch containers made of sustainable, non-toxic materials like stainless, glass and safe plastic, that will meet all your eco-friendly lunch needs. via @MindfulMomma

A roundup of the best reusable lunch containers including eco-friendly bento box containers, reusable snack containers and thermos containers, made of stainless steel, silicone and other non-toxic materials, to meet the needs of everyone in the family.


Reusable Lunch Containers

Got a picky child who doesn’t like different foods to touch?

Is plastic-free your thing because it’s safer and better for the planet?

Need a lightweight lunch container because you’re toting it all around town?

Need to microwave your lunch at work?

In the world of lunch-packing, we all have different needs. My favorite lunch container may not work for you – and vice versa. Your older son may want something completely different than your younger daughter. The good news is, there are many different reusable lunch container styles to choose from!

Table of Contents

  • Reusable Lunch Containers – The Criteria
  • What to Look for in a Reusable Lunch Container
  • Best Reusable Lunch Containers – The Roundup
  • Even More Eco-Friendly Lunch Containers 

Reusable Lunch Containers – The Criteria

To cover all the bases, I considered lots of different criteria for this eco-friendly lunch container roundup. Some of these criteria may be more important to you than others. My family has appreciated all of them over my many years of lunch packing for one reason or another!

  • lightweight
  • plastic-free
  • leakproof
  • divided areas
  • microwavable
  • dishwasher safe
  • freezer safe
  • keep food warm
  • flexible (changeable or removable parts)
  • minimal parts
  • indestructible

RELATED: Favorite Reusable Snack Bags 


What to Look for in a Reusable Lunch Container

When you are shopping for an eco-friendly lunch container, look for these safe, non-toxic materials:

Food grade stainless steel

  • Often marked 18/8 or 18/10 stainless 
  • Advantages: lightweight, dishwasher safe, very durable
  • Disadvantages: not microwavable

Food grade silicone

  • A synthetic rubberlike polymer that does not leach chemicals or produce hazardous fumes
  • Advantages: flexible, does not absorb odors, easy to see through if silicone is translucent/clear
  • Disadvantages: can rip or tear if not treated carefully

Glass

  • Advantages: tempered glass can be used in freezer, refrigerator and microwave and is dishwasher safe
  • Disadvantages: heavier than other materials, will break if dropped

Food safe plastic

  • Polypropylene plastic – PP (recycling code #5) and low-density polyethylene – LDPE (recycling code #4) are durable plastics that are considered food safe 
  • Advantages: flexible and easy to care for
  • Disadvantages: not microwavable, plastic production contributes to pollution

Best reusable lunch containers

Best Reusable Lunch Containers – The Roundup

Scroll through this list of reusable lunch containers, and I bet you’ll find the perfect one for YOUR NEEDS! 

Be assured that all of these sustainable lunch containers are all made from safe, non-toxic materials like stainless steel, glass, silicone or food-safe plastic. They are all durable, washable and ready to be used again and again (no single use plastic containers here!)

Any of these food containers will be a very sustainable choice for your eco-friendly lunch box packing needs, whether for school lunch, work lunch or carrying healthy snacks on-the-go. 

I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure

U Konserve reusable lunch container with silicone lid

U Konserve Stainless + Silicone Containers

Stainless Steel with Silicone Lids

  • Food grade stainless steel container
  • See-through silicone lid
  • Leakproof
  • Flexible lids are easy to open

Best feature: Clear lids make it easy to see what’s inside

Stojo reusable silicone container

Stojo collapsible silicone bowl

Collapsible Silicone Food Bowl

  • Premium food grade silicone bowl
  • Polypropylene lid (BPA/BPS free)
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Bowl is microwavable (lid is not)

Best feature: Bowl collapses when empty for easy carrying and storage

PlanetBox Rover

PlanetBox Rover

PlanetBox

  • Durable stainless steel box
  • Has 5 compartments in a variety of sizes
  • Includes 2 leak-proof containers with silicone lids
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Decorative magnets included

Best feature: Handle allows you to carry it like a lunchbox

UKonserve divided containers via mindfulmomma.com

U Konserve Divided Containers

Stainless Steel Divided Containers

  • Durable stainless steel container
  • Removable divider
  • Safe #4 plastic lid
  • Leakproof

Best feature: Removable divider for Bento-box flexibility

 

Frego and other reusable lunch containers

Frego

Frego Glass & Silicone Lunch Container

  • Plastic-free: lid and sleeve made of non-leaching silicone
  • Durable, shatter-resistant glass container
  • Oven and microwave safe
  • Leakproof
  • Freezer safe

Best feature: Perfect for microwaving leftovers at work!


Zero waste checklist


Splash Box reusable lunch container

Splash Box by ECOlunchbox

Splash Box

  • Plastic-free: lid made of silicone
  • Non-toxic stainless steel container
  • Mini container (sold separately) great for dips or small items
  • Lightweight
  • Water tight and leak-proof
  • Dishwasher safe

Best feature: Super lightweight and easy-off lid makes it a good choice for kids

Kid Basix Safe Snackers

SafeSnacker by Kid Basix

SafeSnacker

  • Container bottom made from lightweight stainless steel
  • Lid made from BPA free plastic
  • Silicone gasket keeps food fresh
  • Dishwasher safe

Best feature: Attached lid means lids won’t get lost at school

Lunchbots bento trio and other reusable lunch containers

Lunchbots Bento Trio

Lunchbots Bento Trio

  • Both container and lid are food grade stainless steel
  • Bento style container with one large and two smaller compartments
  • Lightweight and compact

Best feature: Virtually indestructible!

OmieBox and other reusable lunch containers

OmieBox

OmieBox

  • Insulated bento-box designed for both hot and cold foods
  • Includes insulated stainless container for hot foods
  • Customize with movable divider
  • Made with BPA-free plastic, food grade silicone and stainless steel
  • Kid-friendly design makes it a great eco-friendly lunch box for school 

Best feature: Attached handle makes it easy to carry.


RELATED: Zero Waste Alternatives to Plastic Wrap


Stainless Steel Tiffin reusable lunch container

Three-Tier Stainless Steel Tiffin

3-Tier Stainless Steel Tiffin 

  • A classic eco-friendly bento box with three separate food compartments that stack together
  • Made entirely from food safe stainless steel 
  • Carry the top tier on its own, or both tiers together
  • Lid doubles as a plate

Best feature: Holds a lot of food!

Eco Lunchbox Three-in-One and other reusable lunch containers

Three-in-One Stainless Bento Box

Three-in-One Stainless Bento Box

  • 100% food grade stainless steel
  • Upper and lower food containers clip together
  • Includes nesting snack container with lid

Best feature: Different sections keep foods from touching.

Wean Green Lunch Cube reusable lunch containers

Lunch Cubes

Wean Green Lunch Cubes

  • Odor resistant tempered glass
  • BPA-free plastic lid with silicone seal
  • Microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe

Best feature: Leftovers go from freezer to microwave to dishwasher – all in the same container.

UKonserve Round Containers and other reusable lunch containers

Round Snack Containers

Nesting Trio of Round Snack Containers

  • Reusable snack containers made from food safe stainless steel
  • Leak resistant, BPA-free plastic lids
  • Set of 3 snack container sizes that nest together

Best feature: Mix and match a variety of fruits, veggies, nuts and other snacks.  

Klean Kanteen Insulated Food Canister

Insulated Food Canister

Insulated Food Canister

  • Double wall vacuum insulation
  • Keeps food hot for up to 8 hours
  • Made from food grade stainless steel, with a silicone sealing gasket

Best feature: Makes taking leftovers for lunch easy

Stainless steel reusable lunch container

Stainless steel reusable lunch container

Stainless Container with Clamp Lid

  • 100% food grade stainless steel
  • Lid clamps tightly on to base
  • Dishwasher safe

Best feature: Large container great for leftovers or sandwiches. 

Even More Eco-Friendly Lunch Containers 

 
Bentgo
Bentgo
Bento Wet Box
Bento Wet Box
EKOBO Bamboo Fiber Container
EKOBO Bamboo Fiber Container
Yumbox
Yumbox
ECOlunchbox Solo Cube
ECOlunchbox Solo Cube
Silipint Lidded Bowl
Silipint Lidded Bowl
 
 
Kilner Breakfast Jar
Kilner Breakfast Jar
4L Stainless Steel Container
4L Stainless Steel Container
Rigwa Life Insulated Container
Rigwa Life Insulated Container
Stainless Steel Divided Container
Stainless Steel Divided Container
Mepal Lunch Pot
Mepal Lunch Pot
Two Layer Sandwich Box
Two Layer Sandwich Box
 

What is your #1 requirement for a lunch container?

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RELATED: Eco-Friendly & Non-Toxic School Supplies

Sustainable Swaps Guide

Related

  • Coolest Reusable Snack Bags for a Waste-Free LunchCoolest Reusable Snack Bags for a Waste-Free Lunch
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  • A Whole Bunch of Easy Ways to Reduce Plastic Use in Your Home & LifeA Whole Bunch of Easy Ways to Reduce Plastic Use in Your Home & Life
  • 8 Alternatives to Plastic Wrap for a Zero Waste Win8 Alternatives to Plastic Wrap for a Zero Waste Win
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Filed Under: Eco-Friendly Lifestyle, Featured, Green Living, Lunch & School Gear, Natural Living, Non-Toxic Kitchen, Non-Toxic Products, Product Guides, Reusable Products, Shopping, Top Posts, Zero Waste Tagged With: back to school, bento box, eco friendly lunch box, food container, plastic free, reusable lunch gear, silicone, stainless food containers, waste free lunch

About Mindful Momma

Micaela Preston is natural living educator and safe and sustainable product activist. She has spoken at conferences and events, has lobbied for safer chemical laws, and has consulted with many brands and businesses. Her book, Practically Green: Your Guide to Eco Friendly Decision Making was published in 2009.

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Comments

  1. Betsy (Eco-novice) says

    June 2, 2016 at 8:35 am

    We love Lunchbots! I love that they are dishwasher safe and unbreakable. I haven’t tried the others but I love that there are numerous plastic-free options now.

    Reply
  2. Pamela Johnson says

    January 2, 2019 at 8:17 pm

    Michaela, these suggestions are awesome. I am passing them on to all I know and on my social media sites. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      January 3, 2019 at 11:47 am

      Thank you so much Pamela!

      Reply
  3. Michele collison says

    October 5, 2021 at 12:53 am

    Hey Michaela,
    I’d love for you to try out our all-silicone lunch boxes from The Parent Diary. We have various sizes for everything from baby food to large pasta or salad, and you can chose single-compartment containers or a lunch box with dividers. Check us out at http://www.theparentdiary.com. Can I send you one to review?
    Michele

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      November 16, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      Sure! You can email me at [email protected] Thanks!

      Reply

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Hi there – I’m Micaela!

Micaela Preston I'm here to help you make lifestyle and product choices that are better for your health & the planet!
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