This year we’re giving waste-free school lunches a go. Last year Max made a video for plastic-free July and ever since I’ve been thinking about how we can be more environmentally friendly at home, so when Biome asked me if there was anything of interest to us in their store, I was like perfect timing, yes please.

I want to say we’ve started off the year with no throw-away packaging at all, but I’m still packing some snacks like little bags of popcorn and juice boxes from time to time, plus I’ve just started making mini quiches that have paper wraps, so we’re not 100% waste-free yet, but we’re on our way. Here’s what we’re trying out:

Instead of using throw-away ziplock bags we’re using little lined cloth bags for snacks like dried fruit. Max is using a 4MyEarth Snack Pocket in red gingham and Rose is using a 4MyEarth Snack Pocket in denim stripe.

One of my concerns was how I would keep reusable bags clean, but it turns out you can just pop them in the washing machine or dishwasher with everything else. Too easy.

For wrapping up Rose’s sandwiches and large gluten-free crackers for Max, we’re trying out Lunchskins sandwich bags in Green Pears and Tangerine Orange. These larger reusable bags feel very sturdy and are lead free, BPA free and phthalate free. I washed all the bags before using them and the Lunchskins were pretty fast drying. The 4MyEarth pockets take a bit longer so I think we’ll need more than two per child, but two is good to get us going.

This year Max is using a Planet Box Rover lunch kit in ‘Groovy’, which is basically the queen of all lunch boxes. Stainless steel, bento style compartments, two different little pots with leak-proof lids for sauces or dips, as well as an insulated carry bag to tote it all around in. And the magnets than come with the this set are too cute. (The ‘love’ magnet? I die.) I may have to steal this lunchbox from time to time.

Have you gone waste-free with school lunches? If you have any tips for me, I’d love to hear them. Leave them in the comments or email me at bron@babyspace.net.au

Bron x

CREDITS:

Photos + styling: Bron Bates. This post is in partnership with Biome.