A plastic lunch box often contains more plastic than you think. When it comes into contact with food, tiny substances from the plastic can end up in your food, especially with heat or wear and tear. In this blog we explain exactly what BPA, phthalates and microplastics are. You'll also discover the plastic-free essentials for back to school, some handy extras and how to keep your things looking good for years.
Why is plastic in a lunch box actually a problem?
A plastic lunch box seems harmless. You might even be used to it. In the morning you pop a sandwich in, and in the afternoon it goes in the dishwasher. It keeps everything inside, so nothing leaks. Really handy, right? And you probably got pretty used to this picture as a child.
Yet there's more to that familiar plastic lunch box than you might think. That's mainly down to what plastic does when it comes into contact with food. Plastic isn't as stable as it seems: tiny substances slowly migrate out of the plastic and can end up in your food. This is called ‘leaching’.
The longer you use a plastic product, the higher the risk of leaching. Plastic wears down, making the surface rougher so more substances can be released. That's also why you shouldn't put plastic in the dishwasher or heat it up, for example.
Opt for a lunch box made from bioplastics, free from harmful substances, for example: the Bioloco lunchbox.
BPA, phthalates, microplastics – what are they all?
BPA (bisphenol A) is the substance that makes plastic so hard and shock-resistant. For a long time, manufacturers used it in large quantities to produce various kinds of plastic. Only later did research show that it's harmful when too much of it enters your body. BPA can get into your food via food packaging. Exactly how much ends up in your food depends on many different factors. If you heat up a lunch box, for example, you risk more BPA getting into your food.
Phthalates do the opposite of BPA: they make plastic soft and flexible. That's why you'll find them in things like cling film or flexible plastic packaging. High temperatures and fatty or acidic foods increase the chance of phthalates getting into your food. BPA and phthalates are considered ‘endocrine disruptors’, which is why their presence in products is restricted by strict European Union rules.
Finally: microplastics. These are the result of wear, scratches or breakage. Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than five millimetres. They've already been found in all sorts of places in the human body, and lots of research is being done into exactly what they do there.
Essential tips for a plastic-free lunch
A lunch box and something to drink from are back-to-school essentials. For sandwiches, the Boc’n Roll by Roll’Eat is an easy choice. You fold your sandwiches inside, close it with Velcro and after lunch it doubles as a placemat. It's BPA-free, you can simply wash it at 60 °C and it lasts for years.
Prefer the feel of a proper lunch box? Then choose one made from a material that doesn't leach. A stainless steel lunch box can be the answer: it doesn't release any harmful substances into your food and can usually go in the dishwasher.
The same principle applies to drinks: a reusable stainless steel bottle not only releases no harmful substances, but also lasts much longer.
Got the basics sorted? There are always extras that make your lunch handier, more fun or more sustainable. Think of a separate snack pouch for in-between bites: the Snack’n Go by Roll’Eat is a smaller version of the food wrap mentioned above. Just right for nuts, veggies or biscuits, for example. Or want to bring along something you've cooked? Then take a look at the bamboo cutlery by Pandoo.