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.
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
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 – 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 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 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
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 flexiblity
Frego
Frego Glass 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!
Splash Box
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
Safe Snackers
- 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
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
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
What is your #1 requirement for reusable lunch containers?
RELATED: Eco-Friendly & Non-Toxic School Supplies
Betsy (Eco-novice) says
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.
Pamela Johnson says
Michaela, these suggestions are awesome. I am passing them on to all I know and on my social media sites. Thank you!
Micaela says
Thank you so much Pamela!
Michele collison says
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
Micaela says
Sure! You can email me at [email protected] Thanks!