The search for a PVC free backpack for my little soon to be preschooler has not been easy. I looked at every link on the Center for Health and Justice's guide to PVC free back to school products. There was not one backpack for preschoolers.
I looked at the lunch pack from LL Bean, and those contain vinyl on the inside. Their backpacks seem fine, but I wanted to find one that was made in the U.S. (it seems most of LL Bean products are "imported", probably from China.)
On Amazon I found many that have series gender stereotypes going on, and many are shiny with vinyl.
The Jansport preschool backpack looked good, but it doesn't fit a normal folder in it. Too small.
See what I mean? Consumer paralysis!
I just started looking at Crocodile Creek's backpacks and lunch boxes. They read my mind: it says the lunch boxes are "PVC free, phthalate free, lead-safe, and conforms to safety standards". Me like that.
It starts getting to the point where I just need to buy something and move on. I would love to buy a U.S. made backpack created from sustainable materials, for under 35 dollars, that would fit my 3 year old. I do not think it exists. Business opportunity! You mama-entrepreneurs, get to it.
Also, I looked into these wraps for sandwiches called Happy Sacks that save plastic sandwich bags from the landfill. I emailed the mama who makes them to make sure they don't contain PVC. She said the lining was made with some sort of polyurethane, but that it is on the inside of the lining which doesn't come in contact with the food. There are many cute designs to choose from.
I'll probably buy one of those, or something like it, and use small glass containers for snacks as well. I'm always on the lookout for more ideas for how to pack a green, healthy lunch and snacks. If you have some ideas, please post a comment. I do like the idea of Laptop Lunches, but I don't want more plastic, either. It is certainly better than a completely disposable lunch, however. See, more green consumer paralysis!
11 comments:
I have been looking for small, inexpensive glass containers for packing lunches. Most preschools (and probably schools) don't want glass containers, but I found a set of very small mason jars that are really hardy and just the right size for yogurt, grapes, etc.... I found a set of 12 jars for $8 at our chain grocery store. The jars are about half the size of a "regular" jelly mason jar and have been great so far. They are easy to find right now because stores have lots of canning supplies out.
Julie
All this talk about school supplies gives me anxiety! My daughter is only 16 months, so I'm still have some time! It is a lot to think about though - great for you that you take the time all Moms should in giving your child healthy supplies! We are coming out with a great line of eco-friendly school products. I'll keep some of your suggestions in mind when the line is up and running!
Great post!
Jeanne
www.greenergrassnotes.com
Yes, great idea about the canning jars, we use those too. And affordable! Not all green stuff needs to be more expensive.
Thanks for commenting!
I've been on the same quest, and I found very cute backpacks for preschoolers:
http://ecogear-products.com/ecozoo.html
Seems to be a great company, totally into eco-friendly and safe products.
Dina, you are a goddess of high porportions. I just wrote that I didn't think an eco-bag for preschoolers exists for under 50 bucks, and then here you go finding one! Thank you, thank you. I will order, post about it and I thank you for ending my search.
Check out onesmallstep.com for alternatives to plastic and glass for snacks. There are stainless steel containers and happy-sacks for sale. After searching for waste-free lunch alternatives for my daughter and not finding lots of options, I started up this business. I give 10% back to schools too! Please check my site out.
Thanks,
Renata
Check out Hannah Anderson. They say their backpacks are lead and PVC free.
Hanna Anderson backpacks are terrible. I would not buy one again. The one we had last year did not make it all the way through Kindergarten and it wasn't packed with more than extra clothes, a small stuffed anminal and a think folder each day.
Be cautious when using mason jars for your kids' school lunches! Many of them are coated with BPA. I'll have to do some research, because I seen to recall reading about a brand that is BPA-free, but I can't remember the name off the top of my head. Anyone else know?
Yes! I did hear that the lids are coated with BPA. That is something to look out for. Thanks for your comment!
Not sure that I'd buy those lunch bags- if the material is in the sack it doesn't really matter if it "comes in contact" with the food directly. Fabric breathes, so I'd imagine that indirectly it does. Lunch Skins and ReUsies make some that don't share the same risk. I just ordered some from Lunchskins and think they are going to fit the bill. Now on to the hunt for the backpack... :)
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