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Simple Inspired Natural Living


The Coolest Reusable Snack Bags & Sandwich Wraps for a Waste-Free Lunch

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Roundup of the best reusable snack bags and sandwich wraps that are perfect for zero waste back-to-school lunches and on-the-go snacks.


Back in the day, the lunch I brought to school was pretty standard: a sandwich, a piece of fruit, some crackers or chips and a couple of cookies (if I was lucky!)

The lunches I pack for my two boys are pretty similar but with one main difference: I use reusable lunch containers and reusable snack bags and sandwich wraps instead of wasteful disposable bags.

Why Bother with Reusable Bags?

Yes, single-use plastic bags are easy but there are many reasons to make the switch to reusable bags. Here’s why I switched to using zero waste, reusable lunch gear and never went back:

Environmental: For environmental reasons, it’s pretty obvious that switching to waste-free packaging and using less plastic is a smart idea. A few plastic baggies a day might not seem like a big deal but over time those bags add up to major pollution – in landfills and in oceans – as I’m sure you’ve heard. One stat you may not have heard: More than one million plastic bags are used every minute worldwide. That’s crazy! 

Food safety: Chemicals from plastic can leach into your food – especially food that is oily like cheese or when the plastic gets warm. A plastic-free bag is your safest choice!

Cost: Let’s do the math: Say a plastic ziplock bag costs 5 cents and a reusable snack bag costs $6. It would take 120 plastic bags to equal the same cost as a reusable bag. Given an average of 180 school days in a year, you’ve easily made up the cost in one year. But a well-made reusable bag will last you many years – so a reusable snack bag is a slam dunk cost savings!

The cool factor: Pulling a snazzy snack bag out of your lunch is fun! With so many fun fabrics available – from cute animals to bright flowers to modern graphics – there’s something for everyone!


RELATED: Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly School Supplies for Kids


I may receive commissions from purchases made through affiliate links in this article. Full Disclosure

Favorite Reusable Snack Bags

Reusable snack bags are available in so many sizes. I use small snack bags for foods like pretzels and other dry snacks or carrots and other cut veggies. A lined bag is best for grapes or cut fruit. A larger bag is perfect for sandwiches or longer items. Not only are snack bags great for lunches but they are awesome for travel too – I always take a couple with me on trips!

Here’s what I look for in a reusable snack bag:

  • High quality, durable fabric (not too thin), with strong stitching
  • Lined with food safe nylon (not 100% necessary but it’s easier to clean)
  • A strong velcro closure or a durable zipper if you need to make sure food won’t spill out
  • Organic cotton is better for the planet (but not as widely available)
  • Silicone bags (like Stasher Bags) are very durable, are made from a non-leaching type of rubber and are most similar to plastic ziplock bags
  • Easy to hand wash in hot water or toss in the washing machine or dishwasher

Reusable food bags come in many different sizes and nowadays you can find them everywhere from Target to gift stores, and from Whole Foods to your local grocery store. If you can’t find what you want locally, there are tons available online.

Now that my boys are teens, I’ve had to drop some of the cutesy kid bags out of rotation, and we lean more toward basic prints and solid colors. Personally, I love the bold, fun graphics like Lunchskins or some of the Etsy shops listed below!



Here are a few of the best reusable snack bags to choose from – including cloth bags, zippered bags, silicone bags, beeswax bags & more.

Whether you are searching for the best reusable snack bags for toddlers, or reusable snack bags for school or plastic-free sandwich bags to bring to the office, I’ve got you covered!

 
Spaza
Spaza
Bag It
Bag It
Marleys Monsters
Marleys Monsters
Beego Handmade
Beego Handmade
Lunchskins
Lunchskins
Playful Peanut
Playful Peanut
Molly Angie
Molly Angie
Bumkins
Bumkins
ChicoBag
ChicoBag
SuperBee
SuperBee
No Trace Shop
No Trace Shop
Stasher Silicone Bags
Stasher Silicone Bags
Itzy Ritzy
Itzy Ritzy
Planet Wise
Planet Wise
Nordic by Nature
Nordic by Nature
 

Reusable Sandwich Bags and Sandwich Wraps

Sandwich wraps are the perfect solution when you need something small for a sandwich instead of a bulky food container. Plus they double as a placemat for lunches on-the-go!

The 3 primary materials I’ve seen for reusable sandwich wraps and bags are:

  • Cloth – Similar to a snack bag but a fabric square that folds up and seals with velcro
  • Beeswax Wrap – Cotton fabric coated with beeswax that is self sealing (the beeswax sticks lightly to itself when folded)
  • Plastic – Safe #4 plastic (BPA and phthalate free) with velcro closure

 Here are a few of the best reusable sandwich bags and sandwich wraps to choose from:

 
Bee’s Wrap
Bee’s Wrap
Spaza Store
Spaza Store
EcoHip Wrap
EcoHip Wrap
U-Konserve
U-Konserve
Abeego
Abeego
Urban Green
Urban Green
 

DIY Reusable Snack Bags

If you’re the DIY type, it’s easy to make your own reusable snack bags. Check out my popular handmade snack bag tutorial on the blog!

Sustainable Disposable Bags

There are times when reusable food and lunch bags just aren’t possible – like school field trips for instance. In that case, look for sustainable, plastic-free food bags made from compostable materials instead of the usual disposable baggies.

  • Lunchskins makes some nice disposable food storage bags
  • If You Care makes compostable paper snack and sandwich bags.
  • HoldOn makes plant-based, zippered compostable sandwich bags.

Do you have a favorite reusable snack bag or sandwich wrap?

green & healthy wishes Micaela signature

 

 

 

P.S. If you’re into planet-saving reusable products – check out more of them here: reusable products on Mindful Momma.

Sustainable Swaps Guide

Related

  • The Best Reusable Lunch Containers For All Your Individual NeedsThe Best Reusable Lunch Containers For All Your Individual Needs
  • Practical, Reusable Gifts For Kitchen & HomePractical, Reusable Gifts For Kitchen & Home
  • 5 Reusables to Make Lunch Packing Fun5 Reusables to Make Lunch Packing Fun
  • How to Make a Green & Healthy Bagged LunchHow to Make a Green & Healthy Bagged Lunch
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Filed Under: Eco-Friendly Lifestyle, Featured, Green Gifts, Green Home, Green Living, Healthy Kids, Lunch & School Gear, Natural Living, Non-Toxic Kitchen, Non-Toxic Products, Product Guides, Reusable Products, Shopping Tagged With: Etsy, plastic free, reusable, sandwich bags, snack bags, waste free lunch, zero waste

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. Katie says

    August 9, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    I have been looking for reusable baggies! Thanks for the great recommendations! Can’t wait try some out for school lunches this year.

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      August 9, 2017 at 3:59 pm

      OH good – hope you find some you like Katie!

      Reply
  2. Jas says

    August 9, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    I definitely need to invest into a reusable snakc bag bc I have not been that friendly to the environment when its come to snacking👀

    Thank you for sharing,

    LovJas💕

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      August 9, 2017 at 4:00 pm

      I find that having reusable snack bags helps me eat healthier too. I’m less inclined to grab something unhealthy or a prepackaged snack bar if I have some veggies or nuts with me!

      Reply
  3. Heather says

    August 9, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    I started using Lunchskins probably about 6 years ago and have never looked back. I seriously thought the bundle I bought would last a year or so and then I’d need to buy more. The bags are still in great condition, the seams are in tact and the velcro is still just as strong. I think I bought 8 (combination of sandwich and snack) and we have only lost 2. I love that they can go in the dishwasher. Great post, love all these other options.

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      August 10, 2017 at 11:54 am

      I’m so happy to hear that Heather! My Lunchskins have held up really well too – I’d say they are one of the best options out there!

      Reply
  4. Wayne Moran says

    August 10, 2017 at 11:05 am

    Gosh, you have so many great ideas. Yes, I learned something. 🙂

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      August 10, 2017 at 11:53 am

      Glad to hear it Wayne!

      Reply
  5. Sheila Rygwelski says

    September 8, 2018 at 11:30 pm

    Which do you recommend for keeping snacks/sandwiches from getting stale/drying out? I have a lunchskins velcro bag and my sandwich dries out. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      September 9, 2018 at 10:58 am

      Hmmmm….have you tried beeswax wrap? That might keep the moisture in better. Or use a sealed container instead of a bag. Hope you find something that works for you!

      Reply
  6. Aurora Sidell says

    March 28, 2019 at 11:47 am

    Hello Micaela,
    I am a 2nd grade teacher in Colorado and I am trying to promote a zero waste culture in my classroom.
    As I have taught over the years I have observed an incredibly large amount of waste in the school and in my classroom. I am looking to connect with someone like you to donate (with the understanding that I would promote your company to my classroom parents and to the entire school. If you are interested on any level please let me know.

    Thank you for your time and your interest/efforts for the earth,
    Aurora Sidell

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      April 6, 2019 at 12:40 pm

      Sorry – I don’t have any product to donate myself but if you contact the companies mentioned in this post, maybe they can help you! Best of luck with your zero waste efforts!

      Reply
  7. Joshua Howard says

    August 9, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    Thank you for sharing this information! I live the eco-friendly lifestyle and avoid using plastic because it’s really toxic and can harm our health. I have several reusable snack bags. My favorite one is made from silicone, I really like it. The others are made from waterproof fabric, they are also good.

    Reply
  8. Jennifer (JbirdDesignsCo) says

    March 24, 2022 at 8:16 am

    I appreciate you featuring my snack sacks in your blog and spreading the word about decreasing plastic use 🌻

    Reply
    • Mindful Momma says

      June 15, 2022 at 2:40 pm

      You’re welcome! Such fun designs!

      Reply

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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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