With many schools and workplaces adopting a 'nude food' policy, here are some ways you can pack healthy zero waste lunch box without using any single use plastic, whether it be plastic cling wrap, zip-lock bags, chip packets or yoghurt tubs.
1. Use a Bento Style Lunch Box
A bento box style lunch box is an excellent way to pack a balanced meal with the right portions without any plastic wrap or plastic packets. Below are some of our favourite bento lunch box options:
Planetbox
Planetbox is a smart stainless steel lunch box that guides you in packing a well-balanced, litterless lunch. Its bento style helps keep food separate. It isn't leak proof, but the Planetbox dippers are leak proof, and ideal for yoghurt or wet foods. A Planetbox will last for many years to come, will help you replace single-use plastic and also save money by buying food in bulk.
The Planetbox comes in three sizes, with the rover (pictured) our most popular for pre-school aged children, all the way through to adults.
Shop our whole Planetbox range
EcoCocoon Bento Lunch Boxes
EcoCocoon bento boxes are made from durable 18/8 stainless steel and feature removable silicone seals to keep food fresh and mess-free.
The 5-compartment version is perfect for a full lunch with a sandwich, fruit, veggies, and snacks, while the 2-compartment version is ideal for simpler lunches or snacks. Both have easy-to-open latches, are dishwasher-safe, and built to withstand daily use.
Shop our whole EcoCocoon range
Yumbox Lunch Box
The Yumbox original (pictured) is another of the most popular lunch boxes with our customers. One of its best features is that each of the five compartments are labeled as per the five food groups and accommodate half cup servings each. This is great for assisting parents in preparing a healthy, balanced lunch with a variety of foods.
The Yumbox also eliminates the need for zip-lock baggies, multiple lids, plastic wrap and single-use disposable containers like individual tubs of yoghurt. It is even leak proof, and while it isn't designed for very wet food, foods with the consistency of ranch dressing, tomato sauce, chunky salsas, hummus, yoghurt, and veggie dips are all suitable options.
B.Box Lunch Box
B.Box stock a range of bento inspired lunch boxes and containers. Their compartmentalised design makes sticking to a nude food policy easy and fun. The B.Box Lunchbox (shown above) features 4 compartments.
The largest compartment fits a whole sandwich, and features a 'false floor' that houses a non-toxic ice pack. The second largest compartment also includes a removable divider, bringing the total compartment count to 5 depending on what you need to pack! The final thing we love about the B.Box lunchbox is it can fit a whole piece of fruit thanks to its flexible whole fruit holder.
The B.Box Mini Lunchbox features 3 to 4 compartments (depending on where you place the divider) as well as a flexible fruit holder.
OmieBox Hot & Cold Bento Lunch Box V2
The OmieBox V2 is an insulated bento-style lunch box that lets you pack hot and cold foods together. Its vacuum-insulated thermos keeps soups, pasta, or other hot meals warm, while the other sections keep cooler foods fresh. The easy-to-open lid and oversized handle make it perfect for little hands.
OmieDip containers, are leak-proof silicone pots ideal for yoghurt, dressings, sauces, or dips, keeping wet foods contained without single-use plastic and work really well with the Omie Lunch Box.
2. Use stackable lunch boxes and individual containers
If you prefer individual containers to keep your lunch separated, stackable lunch boxes are a great option. You could use either the top or bottom section for one large meal, like a sandwich, a wrap or leftovers, and add snacks like fruit, crackers or nuts to the other section.
Biome offers a variety of stainless steel stackable options, popular choices include the EcoCocoon 3 Compartment Stacker, Sustain-A-Stacker, Planetbox Leakproof Stacker or Tuck-A-Stacker.
Individual leak proof containers of various sizes, such as the Ever Eco nesting trio (pictured), are great for keeping on hand for dressing, salad, pieces of fruit, yoghurt, nuts and other snacks.
Shop our range of stainless steel lunch boxes here >
3. Use reusable food bag or pouch
Sandwich pouches are the perfect alternative to plastic cling wrap to keep sandwiches together. They are reusable, safe, easy to clean and will save so much rubbish ending up in landfill each year.
For snacks (or sandwiches) , we recommend something like this Stasher pouch:
It is easy to clean and works even better than a Zip Lock bag! Stasher pouches come in a variety of sizes, so there is sure to be one to suit your needs.
Shop all sandwich pouches and wraps here >
You could also make your own by upcycling old, clean fabric!
4. Replace plastic cling wrap with reusable beeswax wrap
Beeswax wraps can help you eliminate plastic cling wrap from the school lunch box for good. They are great for sandwiches, wrapping fruit loaf, pieces of fruit, or wraps.
Reusable wax wraps stick together easily with the warmth of your hand, and can be cleaned in cool soapy water (not hot water, as the wax will melt). Each beeswax wrap should last between 6 and 12 months with good care.
Our customers love the HoneyBee Food Wraps!
More ideas
In your nude food zero waste lunch box, don't forget reusable cutlery, a cloth napkin, and a reusable water bottle too!
