Many schools around the country are having "Wastefree Wednesdays" and some are suggesting waste-less lunches every day. It's easy to pack your child's lunch in reusable containers with Fabkins cloth napkins in an insulated lunch box with a cup of milk in a Foogo Straw Bottle. You probably don't even think twice about being environmentally friendly when packing school lunches. But have you ever stopped to think about the waste that you are creating when you grab a quick bite or sit at your desk to eat every day?
Thermos, a long known name in the reusable container business, has some great products that can help adults be more conscious about limiting waste associated with lunches.
Here are a few of their great products (and you can win a prize package that includes all of these):
Rock Bottle (Thermos' #1 seller!) Beverage Bottle holds 1 liter ($24.99)
10 oz food jar with reusable spoon in lid ($13.99)
16 oz Food Jar with Folding Spoon ($15.99)
The Reusable Brown Paper Lunch Bag ($6.99)
American Classic 6 Can Cooler ($9.99)
Thermos products are widely available in stores and online.WIN IT: We have this set of Thermos products for your waste-less lunch (retail value $72) compliments of Thermos. To enter, leave a comment here by midnight (eastern), Friday, May 2, 2008 (anonymous comments with no e-mail are not valid entries). In your comment, please tell us one thing that is on your mind about the environment, something that you already do that is earth-friendly, or an action that you want to begin. If you've already tried any of these Thermos products, let us know what you think. Winners will be notified by e-mail and announced on Prizey Winners. See our Tips For Winning for further entry information. Open to residents of the US only, please.
(This was written by Leeanthro who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity. While many of the products she discusses are sold only through boutique or specialty stores, some are widely available at national stores and online.)
317 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 317 Newer› Newest»We LOVE Thermos! We are working on using less water and not wasting so much paper.
I have been looking for ecofriendly ways to send my daughters lunch to school next year..These would be perfect. We have already ditched the paper napkins for cloth ones and are teaching our girls to recycle everything they can.
Thermos makes some great products. I have a 20 oz. coffee mug that I try to use instead of getting disposable cups from coffee shops.
Great thermos products!! We have Sigg water bottles we use for trips and hiking, etc. As well as starbucks travel mugs for hot liquid. laurachilton {at} hotmail {dot} com
These sound great! My company charges much less for coffee refills than if you use a disposable cup so I bring my own mug.
I *try* to pack school lunches that have a minimal impact on the environment.
I'm good about keeping a ceramic mug and bowl at work instead of using paper products all the time, but it's harder to pack a school lunch that doesn't involve a plastic bag or disposable container. I do keep a worm bin in the laundry room, so can at least compost all of the kitchen scraps instead of letting those get tossed.
I've been using cloth diapers and grocery bags so that I throw away less plastic.
momabr@yahoo.com
We use cloth diapers at home, just got a compost maker, and would like to try and walk places more often.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
artsweets@ gmail.com
I have an organic gardena dn plan t phase out paper towels in our home this year.
We use cloth diapers, reusable water bottles, cloth napkins, natural cleansers like baking soda and of course, recycling, among other things. Great giveaway! Thanks!
Would LOVE to win this! I'm growing an organic garden this year and am currently making cloth napkins to phase out paper napkins.
These Thermos products look fantastic! I have been meaning to buy a reusable lunch bag to bring my lunch to work everyday. The reusable brown paper bag looks really neat!
Great giveaway! In order to reduce the amount of plastic we use I have been buying in bulk and bringing my own containers to the deli and fish counters.
hune37 (at) yahoo (dot) com
What a great prize!
We love Thermos products! We recycle everything that we possibly can, and love to reuse when possible!
My son's class has been studying about ways to help the Earth. He is only 8 and is starting to turn off the tv, lights, even nightlights. He even asks to use plastic containers in his lunch box. The brown bag would be great for us! He would be proud to carry it to school!
dani77_99 AT yahoo DOT com
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after my first pregnancy and have been taking medication for the past four years. At my last semi-annual appointment with my endocrinologist, I asked him offhandedly about what he thought of the BPA situation. He had no idea what I was talking about. So I tried to give him an overview and he chuckled, saying "oh, that's just media hype." I decided to rethink the hormones I was taking and have been off of them for about a month now. And I feel much more awake and alert and notice less puffiness and bloating in my hands and face. I think I need a second opinion, for sure!
Do you know if thermos uses BPA in their products? lots of liners have BPA. thanks!
Lately, I've been more dedicated about recycling. I've also been watering our lawn only in the mornings or evenings to conserve water. Lastly, I've been washing all of our large dishes by hand instead of throwing them in the dishwasher. Every little thing helps!
claireroach81(at)hotmail(dot)com
We are getting rid of all our plastic cups (even the kids stuff) and getting glass or metal. Also, I am trying to get work to ditch the disposable coffee cups and get some travel mugs that we can reuse.
We are avid recyclers, but could do a lot better on water usage. I'm really trying to monitor how we waste water and develop alternate habits.
Great giveaway! I need to pack my lunch more often and this would help a lot.
We have been trying to go more green. I make all of my own cleaning supplies. We have cut waaay back on our driving and I've bade my own reuseable shopping bags!
I just bought the thermos straw bottle for my kid's lunch boxes. It is exactly what I've been searching for. It doesn't leak and is the perfect size for kids. Yeah, no more juice boxes!!!
I would love the Thermos package! We use cloth diapers and wipes to keep waste out of landfills, and line dry them to save energy.
sarah dot brassard at gmail dot com
This is just what I have been looking for. I really want to find ways to reduce the waste in packing lunches!! We are going green by buying all the organic we can find (and afford) and have cut out all plastic bags and plastic bottles!
nateandjakesmom at gmail dot com
Great giveaway! We have a one cup per day rule. If the kids have a drink, they just give a quick rinse to their cup. It saves SO much dishwasher space, so I am only using it a few times a week!
We hang our laundry on a line to dry, use cloth diapers, and buy only cage free/free range poultry/meat.
I now take my own reuasble cup when I get my coffee.
mcginnisfamily5(at)gmail(dot)com
Whenever we leave the house, we try to bring our own drinks and snacks from home in reusable containers. Not only is it cheaper but we've cut down on the amount of trash we generate. These are great products!
cloth diaper, buy used clothing and accept hand-me-downs from friends. eat eggs from my sis-in-laws grass-fed hens, eat pasture-fed beef from granpa-in-laws bulls. drink raw milk from an organic-certified local dairy. looking at creating hydrogen hybrid adapter for our vehicles. forget gas--these suckers can get 100+ mpg!
Something on my mind is alternative, sustainable energy because I really like to drive and LOVE air conditioning. I live in Florida and know at least four people, other than myself, who have suffered heat stroke from walking or biking long distances, which is one of the main ways one can conserve and keep pollution out of the environments.
love the products..I have always used thermos and sigg containers....I am concerned about global warming and the effect it will have on the next generation...we do recycle...carpool...use bags for shopping..but it seems so little.
My New Year's resolution is to be less wasteful in all areas of life (my time, money, and stuff). I hadn't heard of wasteless Wednesday, but it's a great idea!
ooooh, my hubby is in need of new lunch equipment and this would fit the bill very nicely!
Perfect for our family....my husband will love the lunch bag and the thermos will keep my tea nice and warm.
kdegrand@hotmail(dot)com
These look like great products! I always use cloth bags at the grocery store.
jennj44(at)hotmail(dot)com
We try to bath all our little ones at once to conserve water!
I use cloth diapers they have a service in my neighborhood and its wonderful. I have use Thermos products and they work wonders.
A few of the things we do to help the enviroment are: recycling, walking places instead of driving, planting gardens & trees and conserving our water and electricity. My husband uses a Thermos brand thermos and loves its durability. They make some good stuff.
I've been trying to use less paper and recycle bottles, cans, and paper. I havent tried these products yet, but they looks great! Thanks!
We recently installed a water filter in our house to reduce our use of bottled water
krisindam at mac dot com
hi... I've really been trying to use reusable bags every time I go to the store. I figure if I do it enough it will become habitual. Those Thermos products look great - don't have any but would love to have some for my daily work lunch.
I just purchased cloth diapers that we are going to try out, also I am going to buy reusable grocery bags. I can't stand all the wasted plastic shopping bags. Even though we re-use them, they still pile up!
We stopped using syrofoam plates and cups. Do not use water for the yard or cars. Taking my bag with me to stores instead of using theirs.
these would be great for the environment, reuseable without wasting cups for coffee
I do not use charcoal anymore when using the grill - I use propane
I want to try composting some of the food that we have been throwing out.
I'll use all of these. I love Thermos!
obermeier_00@yahoo.com
buy cloth diapers for our grandson
I would LOVE to win. We're going on a road trip this summer and these would be perfect. In order to not create too much pollution from the cars, we plan to carpool with my in laws and niece all into one van to head to the family reunion. I also plan to recycle with my family more at home.
These are all neat!I love how they come with a spoon.There is always so much more on the internet than you can find in most stores. Thanks for the giveaway!
We don't buy bottled water, we use a home filter instead. The plastic bottles will stay in the landfills for many lifetimes and are so wasteful.
My daughter also takes her lunch to school in a canvas lunchbox instead of paper bags.
We reuse our grocery bags for a variety of different things around the house instead of throwing them away.
great prizes. I have been using a tote, using freecycle and we planted a veggie garden
We are using re-usable grocery bags, are recycling, have changed the outside lights with energy efficient ones, and we're in the middle of replacing all cleaning products with "green" ones. I would love to win this for my daughter as she wants to help out as much as she can!! Thank you so much for this giveaway!
For the last 6 months I've taken my children once a month to clean the garbage beside the roadway it's amazing how much junk we pick up each time.
Thank you for the great giveaway!
themonkinme(at)gmail(dot)com
I've been using cloth grocery bags for 10 years
I have the Thermos coffee mug and I must say, it is the only thing that has kept my coffee piping hot
amiramurphy at gmail dot com
I would love these things for my husbands lunches that he takes to work! :)
We have been recycling...but would also like to do more. I also try to "reuse" lots of items.
I try to use reusable shopping bags, and we've tried to eliminate bottled water, using SIGG bottles instead.
Recycle & grow our own veggies.
We LOVE Thermos! We just started cloth diapering- it's going well so far!
These would be great for the child of mine who starts kindergarten next year!
I'm just starting to use reusable grocery bags.
I'm just starting to use reusable grocery bags.
I would love to win.I would love to win. I use reusable shopping bags and I have a compost heap. We also burn 90% of our garbage.
I would love to win.I would love to win. I use reusable shopping bags and I have a compost heap. We also burn 90% of our garbage.
We're trying to eat local -- planting in our backyard and shopping at the farmers market!
Our house has been working hard on green issues. Last week we ordered siggs for the whole family to rid of plastic bottles. yeah!
Stephanie V.
Reduce, reuse then recycle.
We love thermos at our house, every time we go anywhere we bring our own thermos of coffee and are own cups that way we don't creat trash by getting to go coffees
recycle, recycle, recycle!!!
I am very aware of being Earth Friendly, I started more when I have kids. I use cloth diapers and reusable cups for the kids, glass baby bottles, and reusable shopping bags at the grocery. Would love even more tips to follow. Thanks.
I hate when the cashier tries to put my milk in a plastic bag. I haven't yet bought totes, but I get annoyed when they put say a pack of cookies in a bag by itself and a couple onions in another bag. Give me a break! I'm hoping to find some great shopping totes that say "Paper? Plastic? No thanks!" or "Go Green" or something to help spread the goodness.
cnwfsBoycotting China is my goal. It's not easy! The air in Beijing is too polluted for some olympic games to take place!
We have the 10 oz food jar with spoon, and would love another one. It's really great for sending hot soups to work with my husband for lunch, and keeps them plenty warm.
I want to eliminate kitchen plastic altogether, so I am working on that. Want to replace plastic with glass and other healthier options.
I finally purchased reusable grocery bags for myself, and I'm thinking of giving some to friends and family for Christmas this year.
Hi, What wonderful products from
Thermos. WE have not tried any of them. I didn't know they existed! It is a good thing I read your blog!
Our family has reduced the temperature on the water heater and take much shorter showers. Please enter me in your delightful contest drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
We try to save water and we have exchanged all of our old light bulbs with the new LED ones.
We use cloth napkins and cloth diapers because I worry about toxins and solid waste a lot. We do not have Thermos products now, but I would love them as we do not use plastics!
My husband likes to have a bottle of diet soda every day at work. We decided to just wash and reuse the soda bottle daily filling it from the 2 liter bottle we have in the fridge.
I can really see how using re-usable water bottles is the way to go. I'm also going to stop using disposable plastic containers for lunches. A good quality Thermos product makes more sense.
I have been learning lots of new ways to recycle! Who knew that you could help the environment and save some mega cash at the same time! Thanks for such an awesome giveaway...We would definitely put these to use!
sblilly14(@)yahoo(.)com
We use cloth instead of disposable when possible: diapers, wipes, cleaning towels, napkins, sometimes even handkerchiefs. Next up: composting! Thanks for the giveaway.
emhagedon at gmail
What a great idea. I never thought about lunchtime as a time to go green. I love thermos products too.
I love Thermos products, they're so reliable. We've been trying to conserve water lately as well as electricity. But I want to do more, thats why I've been reading all the great tips here.
MichelleJ:
I have stopped using paper plates and cups; I have started to recycle all newspapers and plastic bottles.
watson(@)zerostreet(.)net
I already bring my lunch to work every day. Currently, I use Rubbermaid Containers. I rarely use any plastic with my lunch. I also use refillable water bottles.
Wow what a great contest! THe things I do that are eco friendly are recycle and use wash cloths instead of paper towels to clean up.
mitanari@yahoo.com
Great giveaway!! Please enter me, we have been trying to do a big switch to ecofriendly products, we've started with the better lightbulbs, switching to all cotton totes instead of plastic and I'd love love to buy a hybrid oneday... Please enter me!
num1twinkie at yahoo dot com
I am trying to remember to take my reusable bags to the grocery store when I go. So far I have remembered twice but once I get in the habit I know it will be easy.
Thermos is a great product that is really helping the environment. Individuals that buy bottled water are contributing to the waste in landfills. By refilling your thermos you are helping everyone for years to come!!!
Great Products!!!
One thing we want to do is buy lunch boxes/bags for the kids so that when they go to camp this summer, they can reuse those rather than sending them with paper bags every day which will get thrown away. I also want to get reusable sandwich holders so that we don't have to use plastic bags.
We just recently started cloth bags instead of plastic bags for shopping. We also installed energy saving bulbs all through our house. We're also making our kids be more aware of wasting, shutting off lights, and saving water.
Thanks for this great giveaway.
One thing we are working on is eating at home. While it also has health reasons, it hels the environment because we don't create waste (napkins, styrofoam, wrappers) from our meals.
I'm working on buying less bottled water, switching over to non-toxic household and personal care products, and using fewer paper towels.
(jennifer[at]thewordcellar[dot]com)
We've been trying to use cloth napkins instead of paper ones. This Thermos set is amazing. Thanks!
mccammacks(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
We plant trees
One thing on my mind is getting off fossil fuels. I read a lot about wind and solar now and it's very interesting. I ride my bike when I can and I have switched my cleaning to green DIY formulas like baking soda and vinegar. I'm sure you've seen the recipes all over the net by now. Anyway thanks for the chance to win this. Thermos is a great way to lesson the amount of throw aways we produce. fu_inle at hotmail dot com to notify if I win please. Thank you again
Thermos products are awesome! I love the spoon included...we just send my hubby to work with one of our regular silverware spoons...this would be so much better!
One simple thing we do is always turn the lights off when we leave a room. In fact, for most of the day, we don't even need to turn the lights on at all. Try it!
I'd like to use a re-usable water bottle at work instead of buying disposable water bottles.
heatherlbrandt(at) verizon(dot) net
I'm starting back to work outside the home soon, and will be bringing my lunch. These thermoses would really help! I've been making my daughter's baby food and using our own stainless steel water bottles when we go out.
I started using energy efficient light bulbs.I reuse plastic bags and try to purchase items with less packaging.
samsakara@twcny.rr.com
I take reusable shopping bags with me to the grocery store.
mgoss@bobgoss.com
I live at the beach, and every year a little bit more erosion occurs on our dunes. This year a huge barge anchored out a good distance from the shore, shooting dirt to make man induced dunes. Ever morning my Chesapeake and I have a goal, to fill one large tote with butts and trash from the night before(tourist Town). This Thermos Set would come in handy for my home made herbal tea on those walks!
I am actually trying to be careful about what I bring my lunch in every day. I'm a teacher, so I have to pack, and I really do not want to use reusable plastics anymore. They're just not safe! So this kit would be so helpful for me!! Thanks!
love this giveaway. Thermos makes great products that last!!! i always have thermal cups in my car and take them to coffee shops etc for myself and my son so we dont use paper or styrafoam. every little bit counts! tpkjones at verizon dot net
What a great set...it would be perfect for my grandchildren. WE are working on recycling everything that we can, avoiding waste where possible, using our own shopping bags, etc.
I was thinking of getting a stylish lunch bag instead of using my plastic ones...and the Thermos brown "paper" bag one is super cute!
What a great contest from Thermos. I can't totally eliminate carbonated drinks, but I can make my own to eliminate the sugar, caffeine, cans, bottles, and recycling issues.
One thing that is always on my mind is packaging. I can't believe how some things are packaged these days. WE use reusable shopping bags & I've also made a few sheer bags to use for produce.
The one thing that I am especially proud of is we re-use our empty teddie peanut butter jars as drinking glasses, food storage and other things.
Thanks!
Taryn at newangels dot com
One thing that is always on my mind is packaging. I can't believe how some things are packaged these days. WE use reusable shopping bags & I've also made a few sheer bags to use for produce.
The one thing that I am especially proud of is we re-use our empty teddie peanut butter jars as drinking glasses, food storage and other things.
Thanks!
taryn at newangels dot com
we recycle whatever we can
I would love these for school lunches! Living in the desert, wasting water is on my mind.
We have replaced all of our lightbulbs with compact flourescents and always hang the laundry on the line. We have a water filter so we don't need to buy bottled water. I also bring home used office paper for my kids to color on the backs.
tmf315@hotmail.com
We love Thermos brand items! We have the foogos for the kids to use instead of always buying plastic bottles.
I use reusable tote bags for my groceries. Thanks for the giveaway!