http://www.care2.com/greenliving/lunchboxes-easy-greening.html
Lunchboxes: Easy Greening
By Melissa Breyer, Producer, Care2 Green Living
Some of us are so focused on the challenge of what to put in our kids’ lunchboxes that we don’t consider the lunchbox itself. But a 2006 report found disturbing amounts of lead in vinyl lunchboxes. The highest lead levels were found in the lining of the lunchboxes–yes, that would be the area closest to food. (You wash the organic apple, then snuggle it up against the lead lining of the lunchbox—yikes.) Here’s an update on toxic lunchboxes and some safe alternatives.
If your children’s school has yet to institute Alice Waters’ healthy and sustainable school-lunch curriculum, you’re probably packing their lunch in an effort to protect them from scary chicken things. But the lunchbox you pack it in may be even scarier. Reusable seems the most eco-friendly choice, but a report by the Center for Environmental Health found that common soft plastic (PVC) lunchboxes often contain lead. The level of lead in one lunch box, an Angela Anaconda box made by Targus International, tested at more than 90 times the legal limit for lead in paint in children’s products.
Not only were the highest levels found in the interior of the lunchboxes, but lead was found on the surface of the lining and could easily be transmitted to food or hands. Low levels of exposure to lead can result in reduced IQ, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, behavioral problems, stunted growth, impaired hearing, and kidney damage. At high levels of exposure, the effects are even more frightening and can result in death.
Since the time this report was published a number of leading lunchbox manufacturers have agreed to reduce or eliminate the amount of lead in their lunchboxes. As a result, although all lunchboxes are not yet free of lead, the number has decreased.
Some lunchbox makers are now labeling their products as lead-free, and you can test vinyl lunchboxes using a hand-held lead testing kit available at most hardware stores. But as much as we hate to rain on your lunchbox parade, the bad news doesn’t end with lead. A common additive to the vinyl used in lunchboxes is DEHP—a phthalate that is a suspected carcinogen and reproductive toxicant. So what to do? Might be best to steer clear of vinyl lunchboxes altogether and try one of these alternatives:
(And if you’re thinking “brown paper bags,” they are free of health hazards, but consider this: The average school-age child generates 67 pounds of lunch trash per school year. It seems most thoughtful to pack lunches with as little garbage as possible.)
Basura Bags: The feel-good lunchbox trifecta–non-vinyl, made from non-biodegradable recycled juice boxes by a women’s cooperative in the Phillipines!
Fun and pretty rainbow reed lunch boxes are handcrafted in Peru from sustainable reed fiber.
A cool canvas lunch bag with fold over top from Dharma Trading Co—it has the added plus of being machine-washable.
Our favorite “superhero” metal lunchboxes come in the guise of Shiva or Krishna. Or try a classic vintage metal lunchbox, the Center for Environmental Health recommends metal lunchboxes as a good alternative to vinyl.
Also, check out what other Care2 readers like to pack in their children’s lunchboxes here.
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28 comments
add your comment »My daughter attends a Montessori school where packed lunches are the rule. Her teachers always compliment her on the quality of fresh food she brings to school. Her classmates love it, too! I'll research the lunch box resources here so that we're not trading one unhealthy practice for another.
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Melissa - you Cait & Anne need to coordinate your lunch boxes lol - goo ideas on all3 posts ---
thanks for the post
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do you think using a canvas bag already at home could work as a lunchbox with a little alteration?
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I had indeed never thought about it. I used to have a plastic lunchbox with Thomas the Tank Engine on it, then I moved to France and we had school canteens with decent meals. The boys on the table always ate all the chips, but that wasn't the point. Many English schools have a canteen system now, but that wasn't the case fifteen years ago.
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These aren't the cheapest, but the quality is fantastic:
http://www.concentrate.org.uk/index.php?page=2
You can fit all sorts of fruits and veggies in the pots as they are water tight, as well as dry healthy snacks. It's shaped to easily fit an apple or banana. It even has a thermal spot to see if your lunch is still cool or not! The company also does some really innovative school products.
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It hard to keep up, but any means of reducing garbage is good. I've taught my kids to bring back the ziploc bags so I could wash and re-use. They also bring back any aluminum cans - they just rinse it out. The tableware is re-used. When I pack certain foods, like sandwiches - I use aluminum foil, which at least is better than plastic anyday, and is biodegradable, and for chips, I make a wax paper bag and staple it together. I'm trying real hard to stop my dependency on plastic bags altogether. But as far as what we as parents can do, seems so tiny when I drive by those garbage containers at the schools and they are full to the top (daily) of foam trays and all the lunch time waste. It is saddening that the schools themselves do not opt to at least use cardboard trays, or the plastic re-washable ones. They are the ones who are making the most garbage of all. I even tried to help out the school to inspire recycling, and they were willing to try as long as I hauled the recyclables... yeah, right - in my little jeep... At least they had the intent, but they can do more to stop the waste, even with paper (special waste baskets for recycling paper), and the trays, and cups (not of foam at least), and then we all (parents and schools) need to petition for govmt help for facilitating recycle pick-ups to the schools, which is usually what hinders their positive action in the first place. For all of us that care, we need to group up and help get the schools on the right track too!
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I found the Shiva lunch box here http://wists.com/gothabella/91036757a70d7894ff80acf1cc515df0 it's only $6!!
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I don't pack my kids lunch but equaly important I pack my husbands lunch. I insert sheets of ice packs to surround the food, keep it cold, and fresh. I hope that lead can't get through the pockets of ice that lines the sheets. They are great because you can cut them down to fit. I purchaced 3 for $10.00 at walgreens.
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I bought the canvas bag from Dharma Trading Co about a year ago and then gave it to someone to embroider. So now it has a nice red firetruck (I haven't braved the laundry yet! :-) and my son's name (requirement at daycare) plus she put a clear plastic sleeve over the truck body that I can slip a small piece of paper on with the date (also a requirement at daycare). It's a very roomy bag. Much larger than I expected. It's great!
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I clicked onto your links, but could not find either the Rainbow Reeds or the Krishna/Shiva lunchboxes...
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