Lunch is served!
We’ve even cut off the crusts and chemicals that come with plastic food storage à la the best eco-friendly lunch box brands we could find—and we’re serving them up on a neat little platter just for you.
After all, no one likes a lunch money bully OR a planetary bully.
The brands we’ve curated on this list are only guilty of using BPA and phthalate-free materials, food-safe resins, and ethical manufacturing to name a few eco-considerations.
Over the coming months, look out for our Brand Rating System, which will evaluate brands across 22 distinct factors, including their environmental footprint and durability. For further details on this new approach, explore our explainer.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
The Best Sustainable Lunch Boxes For Kids & Adults Alike
If you’re craving a crunch without the crushed chips, ECOlunchbox has you (and your food) covered with one of the best eco-friendly stainless steel lunch box ranges in the industry. We use several of their products all the time and appreciate how versatile they are for all of our packed lunch and food storage needs.
Klean Kanteen isn’t just about hydration; they keep your on-the-go hunger under control, too, with an insulated food canister that keeps your pasta hot or your salad crisp for hours. It’s our go-to for road trips and days out climbing.
Index: Eco-Friendly Lunch Containers
- ECOlunchbox Jump to brand
- Klean Kanteen Jump to brand
- Planetbox Jump to brand
- Hydro Flask Jump to brand
- Ekobo Jump to brand
- Stasher Jump to brand
- A Little Lark Jump to brand
- Full Circle Home Jump to brand
- Italic Home Jump to brand
Sustainable Bento And Lunch Boxes
ECOlunchbox
About ECOlunchbox
Price Range: $10–$92
Say goodbye to plastic bags and stained BPA containers and say hello to eco-friendly lunch box containers from ECOlunchbox.
There are lunch boxes, snack containers, camping plates, bento lunch boxes, tiffins, and cotton lunch bags to choose from.
All are made from recyclable, food-grade stainless steel 201—making them nontoxic, lightweight, and durable enough to work as an eco-friendly kids’ lunch box.
You won’t find harmful BPA, BPS, or phthalates, and each metal lunch box is dishwasher and freezer-friendly.
If you want an organic lunch box bag to keep it all contained, their Lunchbag is made from fair trade and GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas that’s thick and durable.
ECOlunchbox’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
ECOlunchbox is a Certified B Corp founded by a “mom-on-a-mission”.
They’re helping us save the planet and save money—an average of $435 a year for families who usually use plastic and paper lunch bag purchases and pre-packaged snacks.
Every year, they offset a carbon dioxide equivalent of 4.7 million pounds of coal burned!
My Personal Review of ECOlunchbox’s Seal Cup Sixsome Set & Lunchbag:
“I use the Seal Cup Sixsome Set both as to-go lunch boxes and as safe food storage containers at home. Their convenient nesting design means you get maximum food storage with minimal cabinet storage space—something I appreciate very much in my cramped zero-waste kitchen!
I also own ECOlunchbox’s organic Lunchbag. It’s made from fair trade and GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas that’s thick and durable. Aside from some food stains on the light fabric it acquired, my lunch bag is still in excellent shape after over a year.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Klean Kanteen
About Klean Kanteen
Price Range: $25–$120
In addition to their famous plastic-free water bottles, container specialist Klean Kanteen offers several food solutions for snacks, lunches, and leftovers.
If you’re looking for a sustainable lunch box for adults, the brand prides itself on being plastic-free, with non-plastic lunch containers made with stainless steel bases and food-grade silicone lids.
They come in various sizes (snack, lunch, and meal).
All containers are durable, dishwasher safe, leak-proof, and suitable for hot and cold food.
Their food boxes and insulated canisters make for very useable, sustainable kid’s lunch containers, too.
For those who struggle to decide, the Pack Your Lunch Kit includes one of these and everything else you could need for a planet-friendly packed lunch.
Klean Kanteen’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Klean Kanteen was started by a brother-sister team and remains a family and employee-owned company.
They support their local Chico, California community by donating to organizations and schools, providing free filtered water at events, and sponsoring local environmental efforts.
They support their global community by being a Certified B Corp, a 1% for the Planet member, and a Climate Neutral Certified company.
My Personal Review of Klean Kanteen’s Lunch Boxes:
“I personally love the Insulated TK Canisters, which have the ability to keep food hot for up to 11 hours and cold for up to 45 hours. I don’t know about you, but I’m a big soup meal prep person, so this eco-friendly metal lunch box is truly my cup of tea (er, soup). The 32oz size is ideal for two people and is a regular companion on road trips and when I go climbing.
The Food Boxes are also brilliant as packable containers as they are so lightweight. I especially love the removable dividers on the larger versions that help to keep different foods separated – ideal if you’re picky about mixing your food like I am.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Planetbox
About PlanetBox
Price Range: $4–$40
While PlanetBox has lunch bags for school, it’s their eco-friendly lunch boxes for kids that are the real stand-out product.
The Rover is the biggest and best sustainable bento box, with 5 compartments, while the Shuttle is perfect for snacks or small meals.
Optional components and containers appeal to picky eaters and grazers.
The Puzzle Pod Containers, for instance, easily separate snacks and work like a puzzle to provide some fun during school lunches. Similarly, magnets can be added to some.
All styles are easy to clean and toxin-free.
PlanetBox’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
PlanetBox’s sustainable lunch containers are designed by a husband-wife duo in California, then produced by a long-standing manufacturing partner in China.
They are 100% recyclable, too.
Hydro Flask
About Hydro Flask
Price Range: $30–$45
Looking for a high-quality insulated food jar that can keep your food hot or cold for up to 12 hours?
Look no further than Hydro Flask’s insulated food jars are perfect for those who want to bring their favorite meals on-the-go, whether it’s to school, work, or on a hike.
Famous for making one of the most important zero waste swaps of all—water bottles—Hydro Flask is a company that creates insulated, food-grade stainless steel water bottles and food containers in the form of jars to keep you hydrated and well-fed on any adventure.
Hydro Flask’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Hydro Flask is committed to sustainability and making contributions to the aspirational goal of a circular economy through reusable products, material choices, and smart packaging.
They use BPA and phthalate-free materials in their products, making them eco-friendly and safe for you and the planet.
Through their Parks For All program, they donate to hundreds of non-profits working toward the mission of making the outdoors more accessible for everyone.
My Personal Review of Hydro Flask’s Insulated Food Jar & Serving Bowl:
“I own the 20 oz Food Jar and find it perfect for taking meals with me on the go. If you’re looking for the best eco-friendly stainless steel lunch box, these are made from high-quality stainless steel and feature double-wall vacuum insulation that can keep food hot for up to 6 hours or cold for up to 12 hours. While I’ve never specifically timed these, those estimates are just about on par. It also comes with a leak-proof lid that makes it easy for me to pack even soup and trust that it won’t leak en route.
For taking larger dishes to picnics or potluck events, I use a Hydro Flask 3 qt. Serving Bowl, especially if the dishes are temperature sensitive since it also features the same double wall insulation. Its snap-on lid isn’t insulated, so it won’t keep things quite as long as the Food Jar, but I’ve found that it still keeps things warm or cold for hours.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Ekobo
About Ekobo
Price Range: $26–$48
Ekobo offers all kinds of eco-friendly dinnerware and food storage, all made from sustainable FSC-certified recycled bamboo fiber eco-composite.
They come in a few different fun colors, all thanks to non-toxic, food-grade dyes.
The Recycled Bamboo Bento Lunch Box is a versatile eco-friendly bento box featuring two inner compartments and a removable separator.
It is top-rack dishwasher safe and suitable for both hot and cold food, being free from BPA, PVC, and phthalates.
Ekobo’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Ekobo uses raw organic bamboo sawdust for all products, sourced as a byproduct of the chopstick and flooring industry.
The sawdust is ground into powder and mixed with a non-toxic and food-safe binding resin.
All products are ethically made in China where workers receive living wages and safe work conditions.
All purchases made on Made Trade support a 100% Climate Neutral Certified company and 1% for the Planet.
Sustainable Lunch Bags
Stasher
About Stasher
Price Range: $10–$84
What can I use instead of a lunch box? How about a bag?
But not those horrible disposable plastic kinds!
Stasher changed the world when they provided an alternative to Ziploc bags.
Lunch everywhere is greener thanks to Stasher’s self-sealing, airtight silicone bags—the world’s first.
Their eco-friendly reusable lunch bags come in several different shapes, sizes, and colors—all vegan, BPA-free, and phthalate-free.
PS: These aren’t only great for lunches, but are one of the best all-around plastic-free food storage options for the home.
For those seeking a plastic-free lunch bag, keep in mind that silicone isn’t plastic, so these qualify.
Stasher’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Stasher bags are responsibly produced in a facility in China that is SA8000 certified.
The bags are sent in compostable packaging made from 70% post-consumer recycled cardboard.
When the bags themselves reach the end of their life, Stasher offers a recyclable lunch bag program via a partnership with TerraCycle.
A Little Lark
About A Little Lark
Price Range: $11–$24
A Little Lark‘s recycled lunch bag—made with recycled cotton and hand-printed with a lovely cat design (amongst others)—is on-point for animal (and planet) lovers.
Each canvas lunch tote is reusable, machine washable, and features an easy-to-use VELCRO®-like closure.
It’s kid and grown-up friendly, with a soft rope handle and the ability to fold completely flat for easy storage.
A Little Lark’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
A Little Lark takes pride in reducing waste by recycling and using leftover materials to create hand-printed apparel, housewares, paper goods, and artisan gifts for people of all ages.
Their goods are socially positive by design, and their ideas are inspired by the beauty of nature around us.
Christy, the founder, takes pride in creating unique products that are not driven by traditional colors and motifs.
Instead, she strives to create non-gender-specific, sustainable goods that exhibit simplicity and style with a sophisticated edge.
All their products are sweatshop-free (organic when possible), hand-printed in Portland, Oregon, and designed in-house by Christy Nyboer.
Full Circle Home
About Full Circle Home
Price Range: $6–$8
For snacks and sandwiches without single-use plastics, Full Circle Home’s ZipTuck is their handy reusable eco lunch bag.
Made with FDA-approved EVA, these bags are free of PVC, phthalates, and BPA.
They come in different sizes (for snacks and sandwiches) and designs.
Full Circle Home’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Full Circle home is a Certified B Corp that is also plastic neutral, thanks to their offsets through Plastic Bank.
The bags are sent in recyclable/recycled materials.
Italic Home
About Italic Home
Price Range: $10–$118.00
Italic Home is on a mission to make minimalism functional and beautiful. They create eco-friendly lunch bags that are as stylish as they are practical.
The Brown Bag is a modern twist on the classic brown paper sack—but don’t worry, you’re not stuck with just brown for color choices.
Made from hand-waxed canvas, this sustainable alternative can handle anything you throw at it and still keep your lunch safe.
It only gets better with age, just like artisanal cheese.
About Italic Home’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Italic Home takes special care to ensure that each item you purchase is not only beautiful and functional, but also environmentally conscious.
They believe that spending your hard-earned money should be exciting and fulfilling, not guilt-inducing.
By creating products that are both beautiful and environmentally conscious, Italic Home is committed to reducing waste and using environmentally responsible materials.
