Growing interest in sustainability is leading to more people using reusable straws, eco-friendly water bottles, and reusable produce bags. Switching to reusable sandwich and snack bags is another easy and popular way to reduce single-use plastic. Switching to reusable lunch bags can eliminate hundreds of plastic baggies (and prevent them from ending up in landfills and the ocean).
Most of these replacements are made of silicone or cloth, and some are even dishwasher and microwave safe, so they’re easy to clean and re-heat. Almost all of these bags come in different sizes, so there is something for every type of lunch. We recommend Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Bags, which are available in an extra small size (perfect for nuts) and a half-gallon size (perfect for storing two strip steaks). These reusable storage bags even come in sets, so you can stock up on multiple sizes. There’s even an option to DIY a beeswax food wrap if you’d rather make your own reusable sandwich bag or snack bag.
Silicone food storage bags are more eco-friendly (and wallet-friendly!) than reusing Ziploc baggies because they last longer. Ziploc claims its bags can be repeatedly used by hand washing and thoroughly drying before reusing, but silicone reusable baggies are more durable (so you won’t have to worry about degrading plastic) and easier to clean (so you can store food over and over again).
The following bags can be used for sandwiches and snacks:
Silicone Reusable Food Bag from Stasher
Over 1,400 customers have reviewed these reusable silicone bags on Amazon (with an average of 4.3 stars! ), but they are also available at Target and Whole Foods. Stasher bags come in fun (but still transparent) colors and have a zippered top.
Five different sizes are available, from the pocket size (4 fl. oz.) up to the half gallon size (64.2 fl. oz.). Plus, they’re dishwasher- and microwave- safe.
Rezip Lay-Flat Lunch Bags Set
If you would like to go green without going broke, try Rezip’s leak-proof “airtight” lunch bags. At just $20, this set of five reusable sandwich bags works out to about $4 per bag. Sandwiches, other meals, and snacks fit perfectly in the lunch container. A smaller snack container and a gallon container are also available. Keep in mind that Rezip bags cannot be microwaved.
Nordic by Nature Sandwich and Snack Bags Set
Nordic By Nature’s bags come in several fun patterns and are made of cotton and polyester, so they’re a great alternative for people who prefer reusable bags made of fabric rather than silicone. There are three bags in the set: one small, one medium, and two large.
Due to the metal zippers, these reusable sandwich and snack bags cannot be microwaved. If you want to clean them, you can simply rinse them out with water or put them in the dishwasher.
PackIt Freezable Snack Box
PackIt’s collection of products have a freezable gel liner that keeps food warm until you get to work or school. A rectangular box like this one will fit your snacks and even a 12-ounce bottle of water.
You can also find the same freezable technology in a smaller, more compact reusable snack bag.
Lunchsknins Reusable Food Storage Bag Set
LunchSkins’ popular reusable sandwich and snack bags feature fun patterns and velcro closures so kids can easily open them. Although they’re made of cloth, they’re dishwasher-safe! With two different sizes, you can pack a sandwich and a small snack for lunch.
Paper sandwich bags made by the brand are also recyclable and compostable. Additionally, the brand donates to help fight plastic pollution in oceans when you purchase LunchSkins. This is a win-win situation!
We also have compiled a guide that will help you choose lunch box for men, if you are looking for the best one.
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