Keep your lunches BPA-free with these boxes, bags and bottles

Many people opt for plastic-free options nowadays due to a lack of biodegradability. While there are definitely materials that are kinder to the environment, reusable plastic can be useful, especially if you pack lunches daily.

Whether to go plastic-free is a personal choice, but it's worth being aware of the potential issues associated with certain plastic products.

What is BPA?

BPA stands for 'bisphenol A', which is a chemical used to produce polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Despite being in use since the 1960s, a lot of brands are sure to label their products stands for 'bisphenol A',, and for good reason. It's been proven that BPA can leach out of plastic containers and into the food and liquid you're consuming. This is cause for concern, as BPA can disrupt hormone levels, which can lead to negative health effects.

With eco-consciousness becoming increasingly important to consumers, many brands offer BPA-free products. Some of these are also free of plastic, but all are safe for storing food for later consumption. 

We have several recommendations that are worth your investment.

Lunch boxes

Check out this range of options for packing your lunch or individual snacks.

Lime Tree Kids Melii Luxe Snackle Box Mini Blue

$20.95 here

Perfect for school-age kids, this box has a range of compartments for splitting up their snacks. You can also grab it in pink or ivory.

Decor Go Triple Split Bento Lunch Box

Get yours for $14.50

Bento boxes are great value, allowing you to pack various foods and keep them separated. This triple-split option from Decor is just $14.50.

Smash Blue Stainless Steel Meal Box

Just $10 here

If you do want an option that has less plastic, this meal box from Smash is made from stainless steel. While it's dishwasher-safe, it's recommended that you hand wash it to maintain quality.

Smash Reusable Meal Prep Containers

$10 on Woolworths

Meal prep requires a lot of containers, so we suggest grabbing these BPA-free containers in bulk.

Sistema Plasticware Snack To Go

Just $6.30 here

Designed with a little inserted compartment, you can carry two snacks in this small container – saving lots of space in your lunchbox or bag.

Lunch bags

Perfect for packing sandwiches, or smaller (BPA-free!) containers filled with your favourite foods. The contents of these bags will also remain insulated.

Packit Freezable Insulated Lunch Bag

$36 on Amazon

This lunch bag features gel-lined walls that keep the contents chilled for hours at a time, helping maintain freshness. The bag also folds flat and can be kept in the freezer overnight to help maintain the chill factor for even longer.

The Somewhere Co Rose All Day Lunch Bag

$39.95 on The Somewhere Co$39.95 on The Iconic

Featuring a cute orange and pink-toned gingham print, this lunch bag has two handles that make it easy to grab and go.

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Smash Insulated Lunch Bag

Get yours for $13

The champion of school lunchboxes, Smash makes lightweight, insulated lunchboxes that'll always do the trick. They're also very affordable – get yours for $13.

Water bottles

These BPA-free insulated water bottles will keep your water nice and cold.

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Cap 900mL

$54 on Amazon

One of the more popular brands when it comes to insulated (and BPA-free!) water bottles, Hydro Flask will keep your water cold for hours on end. It also features a durable design and a carry handle for ease.

Oasis Moda Ceramic Lined Stainless Steel Drink Bottle 1L

Was $60, now $30

Now half-price, this pink water bottle from Oasis is vacuum-insulated to maintain temperature and features an additional layer of copper for greater insulation. It also has a ceramic lining, which reduces metallic taste.

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

$45 here

Owala is the bottle of the year, overtaking the coveted Stanley Cup (in our eyes anyway). With a straw option and a wide-mouth drinking option, you can drink how you choose. The lid also keeps the straw attachment protected from germs.

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