What to use instead of plastic sandwich bags?

[manchestermafia]

Help me go green! What to you lovely ladies use in place of disposable plastic sandwich bags? I've seen some washable bags, but they are $6 each. My husband will use the glass containers if he has something large and I have some little plastic containers for the kids but would like something to replace the regular bags. Thanks!

[bezark]

Have you tried Etsy?
There are a TON of reusable sandwich bags and wraps and snack bags there.

[CeciMami]

We use these:

http://www.wrap-n-mat.com/

But not exclusively...we're working on ridding ourselves of plastic bags but they're just so darned convenient sometimes!

[velochic]

I make my own bags. This is not my design... I actually use a fold-over top, but here is a link to one way of doing them.

I use food-grade plastic that is covered on both sides with cloth. The plastic doesn't touch the food, but keeps it more waterproof. I wash mine with my laundry and hang-dry them.

Once you have it down, they can be cut and sewn in a very short period of time.

I also make our own wrap-n-mats and have tweaked the idea to include smaller half sandwiches and also wraps (that are long and rolled).

[mumkimum]

I haven't thought that the other folk here would go for the cloth 'sandwich bags' so we don't do those - we do wash the plastic bags we use until they don't work anymore, so we get a lot of use out of them. If you had a good source for parchment or wax paper (or wax paper bags) I believe those are compostable and would be another option.

[CeciMami]

Velochic...please consider posting how you make yours...I'd love to learn! Also, where do you get your food grade plastic? Inquiring minds want to know!

[ChristyMarie]

We have containers from the Container store in different sizes for lunches and snacks on the go. We even have one that fits an entire sandwich in it, flat. I hate sandwich bags because things can get squished.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by CeciMami

Velochic...please consider posting how you make yours...I'd love to learn! Also, where do you get your food grade plastic? Inquiring minds want to know!

If you look at that link I posted, all I do is make the backside longer so it will fold over the top like an envelope. I then sew a strip of velcro to the backside flap and a strip of velcro to the bag in front so that when you fold the top over, they seal, just like an envelope.

As for the plastic, research what is food-grade (polyethylene is one) to figure out which type you want to use and then look at your local sewing stores or purchase online. I've always found it around here. IIRC, plastic for making diapers is food-grade. I can't remember what kind that is, though. If you look up info about making diapers, you should find a ton of info.

[lonegirl]

I just use Tupperware. I love it.

[Ola_]

How about containers? I mostly use plastic (I figure they aren't getting heated so it's not too terrible), but you can get stainless ones too. Then you can use it for sandwiches and for other food or leftovers.

[annekevdbroek]

Originally Posted by lonegirl

I just use Tupperware. I love it.

Me too - I have a couple sandwich keepers, and some small bowls and containers. They work great and have been in use for years. I know its more plastic - but needed something lightweight and spill and break-proof for the kids bags.

[CeciMami]

Originally Posted by velochic

If you look at that link I posted, all I do is make the backside longer so it will fold over the top like an envelope. I then sew a strip of velcro to the backside flap and a strip of velcro to the bag in front so that when you fold the top over, they seal, just like an envelope.

As for the plastic, research what is food-grade (polyethylene is one) to figure out which type you want to use and then look at your local sewing stores or purchase online. I've always found it around here. IIRC, plastic for making diapers is food-grade. I can't remember what kind that is, though. If you look up info about making diapers, you should find a ton of info.

Awesome...that's what I needed to know...I think the plastic for diapers is called PUL? Off to do a little research...thanks!

[Irishmommy]

For DH and I, we use tupperware, or other reusable containers. I generally use plastic bags for the kids. They chronically lose the good stuff (real Tupperware), and I figure it's less bad for the environment for one bag per day to be tossed, than one plastic container. Not to mention for my bank account.

I wish it was different though.

[annethcz]

For lunches, I mostly use Tupperware Lunch n Things containers. Everyone in our family has one- the kids take them to school and DH and I take them to work. I also have some other Tupperware containers, including sandwich keepers. In the past I've used small corningware containers with plastic lids, but all of them have broken over the past few years.

[mumm]

Be careful with Etsy. I bought some becaue they were cheap and had great reviews. They were both sloppily made, didn't keep food fresh and were really hard to open for my kids.

If you go to snack taxi they usually have some clearance ones. I use the snack size for everything as the sandwich size is really big.

[Ruthiegirl]

What about just using wax paper?


We buy these sometimes:

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Value-.../dp/B001KUSK5G


I toss them in the compost and they breakdown just fine.

[Purple*Lotus]

I use wrap and mats or a tupperware container. I don't heat in tupperware though.

[WorldsBestMom]

Containers are really easy to use and it keeps your sandwiches fresh.

[talia rose]

we use small stainless steel sandwich containers made just for this purpose....

[Shellie]

talia rose, where did you get the stainless steel containers?

to the OP...I'm also trying to be more green. We use #5 plastic containers on the go, which from what I understand are no better/worse than cling wrap and plastic baggies (other than being re-usable)....we've just stopped heating in the plastic for now. For home use, I bought glass with BPA-free lids but year, for on the go, I have not been able to nix all the plastic. Wax paper, parchment paper are good alternatives. Once upon a time I bought wax paper sandwich baggies.