kids lunch bag containers image
Brenda
Yes, we've all heard the hype. Use reusable lunch pails, don't use paper bags, etc. etc. But what about the insulated lunch bags that get thrown out EVERY YEAR!! We need a new one every year. For at least two household members. And from the way the stores get stocked on Labor Day weekend, it's not just us.
So my question is - is the carbon footprint of a reusable, insulated lunch case really better than the carbon footprint for about 250 paper lunch bags? How can you figure this out?
Answer
I see a big problem in your statement. Why would you need a new one each year, I have 2 lunch boxes, one is a tupperware (not insulated) that I've had since the mid 80's, the other is an insulated one that I've had for 3 years and there is nothing wrong with it. I try to reduce the amount of plastic in my life, but this is one area that I think it is a better option. Perhaps you need to find a more durable solution or teach your family to care for things a little better. I see the same problem with backpacks, people want new each year and that has a huge impact on our resources. I buy quality so I buy a lot less often. I also didn't allow my kids to get sucked into the marketing trap of characters, very rarely are they popular with the children more than 1 year and often less than that.
I have a zero waste lunch kit, which means I also don't use disposable containers on the inside. If you are using the lunch bag for such a short time, it may be having a greater impact than paper bags.
I see a big problem in your statement. Why would you need a new one each year, I have 2 lunch boxes, one is a tupperware (not insulated) that I've had since the mid 80's, the other is an insulated one that I've had for 3 years and there is nothing wrong with it. I try to reduce the amount of plastic in my life, but this is one area that I think it is a better option. Perhaps you need to find a more durable solution or teach your family to care for things a little better. I see the same problem with backpacks, people want new each year and that has a huge impact on our resources. I buy quality so I buy a lot less often. I also didn't allow my kids to get sucked into the marketing trap of characters, very rarely are they popular with the children more than 1 year and often less than that.
I have a zero waste lunch kit, which means I also don't use disposable containers on the inside. If you are using the lunch bag for such a short time, it may be having a greater impact than paper bags.
How long does an insulated bag work for?
~ <3 ~
I'm going to be at college for 12hrs, plus another 2hrs driving time.
If I were to keep some food in an insulated bag, APPROXIMATELY (to your best knowledge) how many hours max would it stay fresh for if:
-the food was reallly hot or frozen?
-it was just sorta cold?
Thanks.
Answer
I found this for you. Hope it helps!
Lunch Bags & Boxes
The first thing you will need is a container in which to pack the lunch. It doesn't need to cost a lot of money. For adults a small cooler makes a great lunch box. Fred uses a medium sized cooler. He is usually gone for 24 to 48 hours, so he needs alot of food to keep him going. For children and teenagers, you can usually find inexpensive lunch boxes and insulated lunch bags at yard sales and thrift stores.
Small children often prefer a plastic lunch box with cartoon characters on the side. I suggest you buy these as cheaply as possible. They only last for a year or two before the children drop them or the latch breaks. At $6 to $10 a piece, buying brand new boxes has never been a good investment for me. I have purchased them new when I desperately needed the thermoses that came with them. After the plastic lunch box broke, I purchased replacements from my local Goodwill. I continue to use the same thermos year after year.
If the art work on an older lunch box is shabby, you can easily replace it. Use rubber cement to glue down a new picture (cut to size) and then cover the picture with clear contact paper. I've done this, and it lasted almost 2 years, until the lunch box cracked and became unusable. Amy D. describes the process in detail in the first book of The Tightwad Gazette.
For older children insulated lunch bags work best. They don't have the juvenile connotations of plastic boxes with matching thermoses, so older kids usually don't object to carrying them. I like them because they don't break when they get drop-kicked across the livingroom by a budding football player. Since they have soft sides, it is easier to fit more food and odd-shaped containers in them too. They usually have zipper closing and shoulder straps for carrying them. I buy the largest ones I can find because I find them easier to fill. Many modern insulated bags have several extra zipper pockets and sections on the outside to carry little extras like napkins, spoons and salt or pepper packets. My boys like these but they aren't really necessary. Purchased brand-new, insulated lunch bags cost between $5 and $15. If you wait until back-to-school-sales you may find them cheaper. Over the summer they can often be found at yard sales. Insulated lunch bags usually do not come with their own thermos, so you will have to use some you already have or buy them separately.
I found this for you. Hope it helps!
Lunch Bags & Boxes
The first thing you will need is a container in which to pack the lunch. It doesn't need to cost a lot of money. For adults a small cooler makes a great lunch box. Fred uses a medium sized cooler. He is usually gone for 24 to 48 hours, so he needs alot of food to keep him going. For children and teenagers, you can usually find inexpensive lunch boxes and insulated lunch bags at yard sales and thrift stores.
Small children often prefer a plastic lunch box with cartoon characters on the side. I suggest you buy these as cheaply as possible. They only last for a year or two before the children drop them or the latch breaks. At $6 to $10 a piece, buying brand new boxes has never been a good investment for me. I have purchased them new when I desperately needed the thermoses that came with them. After the plastic lunch box broke, I purchased replacements from my local Goodwill. I continue to use the same thermos year after year.
If the art work on an older lunch box is shabby, you can easily replace it. Use rubber cement to glue down a new picture (cut to size) and then cover the picture with clear contact paper. I've done this, and it lasted almost 2 years, until the lunch box cracked and became unusable. Amy D. describes the process in detail in the first book of The Tightwad Gazette.
For older children insulated lunch bags work best. They don't have the juvenile connotations of plastic boxes with matching thermoses, so older kids usually don't object to carrying them. I like them because they don't break when they get drop-kicked across the livingroom by a budding football player. Since they have soft sides, it is easier to fit more food and odd-shaped containers in them too. They usually have zipper closing and shoulder straps for carrying them. I buy the largest ones I can find because I find them easier to fill. Many modern insulated bags have several extra zipper pockets and sections on the outside to carry little extras like napkins, spoons and salt or pepper packets. My boys like these but they aren't really necessary. Purchased brand-new, insulated lunch bags cost between $5 and $15. If you wait until back-to-school-sales you may find them cheaper. Over the summer they can often be found at yard sales. Insulated lunch bags usually do not come with their own thermos, so you will have to use some you already have or buy them separately.
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Title Post: Are insulated lunch containers really better for the environment?
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