Affordable & Eco-Friendly Lunch Box Options

Packing lunches not only saves you money, but gives you the ability to offer more nutritious options for your child. (Or yourself.) There are lots of lunchbox options out there, with prices that vary from about $10 to (gulp) $50 or even $60. Here are 5 options I found especially good since they are affordable, eco-friendly, and come in colorful, fun shapes that younger kids will enjoy, along with other prints and designs older kids and adults will be happy with.

Save money and be planet-friendly with these reusable bags from spbang. What makes these different from other reusable baggies is the fact they can actually be put in the dishwasher, which makes them super easy to clean. They are made from food-safe plastic that’s BPA and phthalate-free. These come in 12 different colors which you can actually write little notes on with non-permanent markers, which you can later easily wash off and then write a new note. And they are super durable, which means they’ll last all year, saving you money, while being environmentally friendly. ($9.99 each.)

http://spbang.com/collections/shop/products/sky-back-to-school-notes-reusable-bag

Oh my gosh these insulated neoprene Big Apple Buddies Lunch Sacks are so cute! They come in several adorable animal shapes, are PVC, BPA, latex, and vinyl-free. These are also durable, easy to wipe clean, have an easy to use Velcro closure  and a soft handle with a buckle that unsnaps and attaches to backpacks or book bags. (16.99 each.)

There are so many other styles, colors, and prints available that your older kids or even the adults in the family will love and use too.

http://www.builtny.com/big-apple-buddies-lunch-sack/M-BAB1.html?dwvar_M-BAB1_color=DOG#start=1

Want cold foods to stay cold and save on storage space? These PackIt’s Freezable Lunch Bags ($20) do both. All you do is fold it up, pop in the freezer overnight and then open it up, fill it up, and food stays cold for up to 10 hours. These are free of harmful PVC, BPA, phthalates and lead.

http://www.packit.com/buy/coolers/carryall/

These insulated lunch bags from LOVE are actually made of recycled water bottles. The LOVE Reusable Bags Lunch Munch Lunch Cooler ($24.95) also has an insulated lining that is FDA-approved food safe with space for a sandwich, small water bottle and several snacks. It also has a handle that features a plastic snap buckle to hook to back packs. And there are so many other sizes and designs to choose from.

http://www.reuseit.com/kids-lunch-boxes/love-reusable-bags-love-reusable-bags-lunch-munch-lunch-cooler.htm

If you’re looking for something that can keep cold food cold and hot food hot…at the same time, this Dual Compartment Food Jar is a perfect choice. Made by Thermos ($30,) this has one compartment for hot food and other compartment for cold food, is vacuum-insulated and comes with a folding stainless-steel spork.

http://www.target.com/p/dual-compartment-food-jar/-/A-17079281#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=thermos+dual+compartment+food+jar