The lunch box is one of the last places many kitchens still rely on plastic: it is light, inexpensive and everywhere. Over time, boxes can become scratched, stained or difficult to clean. Here are alternatives, with honest strengths and limitations.
Stainless steel: the everyday workhorse
A steel box is light and resists everyday knocks. It does not readily stain with tomato sauce or retain food smells. The drawbacks are that you cannot see inside and it must not go in the microwave. For packed lunches, walking trips and fridge leftovers, it is a practical choice. Look for a suitable seal in the lid if you need to carry wet food; many seals are silicone, so check all components if material choice matters to you.
Glass: for leftovers you want to reheat
A microwave-safe glass container can move from fridge to microwave to table, and you can see the contents without opening it. Weight and breakage are the disadvantages, so glass often suits the kitchen better than a child's bag. Check the lid as well as the base: options include glass, metal or wood with a seal. Follow the manufacturer's heating instructions and avoid thermal shock.
Bamboo and wood: useful, with limits
Solid bamboo and wooden boxes can be light and attractive, but are often unsuitable for dishwashers or prolonged contact with wet food. Check the full material description. Products described as bamboo fibre may be composites containing plastic binders, so the name alone does not mean plastic-free. Solid wood or bamboo is best reserved for suitable dry foods such as crispbread, nuts and whole fruit.
Cloth and wax: when you do not need a box
Much of what goes in a lunch box can be wrapped instead. Sandwiches, a piece of cheese, half an avocado or a bread roll fit in a beeswax wrap. Shape the sheet around the food and fold it away after lunch. The full routine is in a packed lunch without plastic, with more kitchen ideas in reducing kitchen plastic, one swap at a time.
A combination for the whole week
| Need | A practical alternative |
|---|---|
| Sandwich lunch | Beeswax wrap around the sandwiches |
| Salad or wet food | Steel box with a suitable seal |
| Leftovers for reheating | Microwave-safe glass container |
| Dry food and snacks | Suitable solid bamboo box or glass jar |
| Food in a walking bag | Light, robust steel box |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best lunch box without a plastic body?
Are bamboo boxes plastic-free?
Do sandwiches need a box?
For food that stays out of the oven
Vokshus beeswax wraps are cotton wraps coated with beeswax and tree resin. See the product page for available sets, sizes and your local price.
See the beeswax wrap sets →- Reusable for around 12 months
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- Wash in cold water
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- Refresh the wax coating when needed