Question: I was wondering if you could recommend good reusable sandwich and snack bags? Thanks, Stephanie

Answer: Since I mostly work from home, I rarely have the occasion to pack a lunch — but I have written about eco-friendly lunch boxes and totable utensils, which you might find helpful. Those kits often come with compartments for sandwiches and snacks, which could eliminate your need for separate bags altogether!

But if you do need separate sandwich and snack bags, try these options, ordered in the order I’d try them based on eco-friendliness, functionality, aesthetics, and safety:

>> Plum Creek Mercantile Organic Snack Bags (left photo). Made of 100% organic cotton canvas, these snack bags look the safest and greenest to me. Of course, the bag does have the drawbacks of cotton — They’re not waterproof, and they can stain. On the upside, they can be thrown into the washing machine with the rest of your laundry and don’t pose any plastic-related health hazards.

Amanda at Natural Mommie raves about these bags. Each bag costs $5.75 – $6.75 depending on size, with discounts for sets of 3 or 5 bags. Plum Creek also sells non-organic snack bags, so select carefully.

>> Kids Konserve Food Kozy (middle photo). Made from recycled PE plastic, this sandwich wrap helps close the recycling loop — and is free of BPA, lead, and phthalataes too. According to One Small Step, these wraps are non-toxic and non-leaching — but I always caution readers to avoid putting heated foods in plastic or plastic-lined containers.

Leighann at Full Mommy has a nice review of these Kozys. Each Kozy costs $5.

>> LunchSkins reusable snack pouch (right photo). These velcro bags are made of a cotton (not organic) fabric coated with a polyurethane liner that makes the bags greaseproof and waterproof — and that the company says won’t leach into food — though I’d still feel queasy using them for hot food. The bags are made in the U.S. and are free of lead, BPA, and phthalates.

Suzanne Catchpole at babyology says LunchSkins are of excellent quality and easy to clean. Each bag will run you $7.85 to $10.95, depending on size.

>> Wrap-n-Mat sandwich wraps and pouches. These fold-up wraps and pouches are free of BPA, lead, and phthalates — but are made with plastic (LDPE), and thus shouldn’t be used for hot food or thrown in the dishwasher. Prices range from $6.50 for small ones made in China to $8.95 for big ones made in the U.S. Get them locally at The Green Life in Santa Monica or All Shades of Green in Silver Lake.

>> snackTAXI sandwich and snack sacks. snackTAXI prides itself in making its food pouches locally, in Mass. The machine-washable bags are made of cotton lined with a nylon with a polyurethane coating and are lead and phthalate free. Each bag costs $6.95 – 8.95, depending on size.

>> reuseit.com snack and sandwich bags. Made in the U.S. out of nylon, these velcro-fastened bags can hold both hot and cold items and can be thrown in the washing machine for cleaning. Each bag costs $6.95; less if you buy more than one.

If you want to take care of all your reusable lunch container needs with one purchase, consider the No More Plastic Baggies! lunch kit from One Small Step, which includes two sandwich bags, a snack bag, four food containers, a spork, and napkins — all reusable, of course. I gave one of these away last year.

Have you tried any of these snack and sandwich bags — or have others to recommend? Share your green lunch wisdom in the comments.

Earlier:

>> Sunday solutions — Foil or film?
>> Bring your own bag: How to BYOB in easy eco-style
>> Bring your own cup and mug: An eco-stylish money-making habit

[crossposted on BlogHer]

Photos via Plum Creek Mercantile, kidskonserve.com, LunchSkins

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