Lots of Australian schools now encourage nude food or wrapper-free lunches – and many families want to cut down on single-use plastic anyway. The good news? You don't have to overhaul everything at once. A few simple swaps make a big difference.
What is a "nude food" lunch?
A nude food lunch is one packed without disposable packaging – no cling wrap, zip-lock bags or individually wrapped snacks. Food goes into reusable containers instead, so there's nothing to throw away at the end of the day.
1. Start with one good reusable lunch box
A durable, multi-compartment lunch box replaces most of the cling wrap and small containers in one go. Stainless steel is a popular choice because it's plastic-free, long-lasting and easy to clean. Our stainless steel lunch boxes are made from food-grade 304 steel.
2. Add a separate snack box for recess
Many kids eat recess and lunch at different times. A small snack box for fruit, crackers or veggie sticks keeps things organised. The MunchiiBox snack box has two compartments and an attached lid that can't get lost.
3. Buy in bulk and portion at home
Instead of individually wrapped snacks, buy crackers, yoghurt, cheese and dried fruit in larger packs and portion them into compartments. It's cheaper too.
4. Swap cling wrap for reusable wraps or containers
Beeswax wraps, silicone pouches and small reusable containers are great for sandwiches and wraps.
5. Use an insulated food jar for hot lunches
Leftovers like pasta, soup or fried rice make easy plastic-free lunches in winter. The ThermoBox combines a stainless steel bento box with an insulated food jar.
6. Choose a reusable drink bottle
Skip the poppers and juice boxes – a named drink bottle filled with water is the easiest swap of all.
7. Label everything
Reusable gear only works if it comes home! Put your child's name on lunch boxes, snack boxes and bottles. PAK-AH-BOO lunch and snack boxes include free name engraving, so the name won't wash or peel off.
Don't aim for perfect
Every plastic wrapper you skip adds up over a school year. Start with one or two swaps that suit your family, and build from there.
Shop our plastic-free lunch and snack boxes.