The 10 Best Non-Toxic Lunch Containers (Stainless Steel, Glass & Silicone)
Looking for the best non-toxic lunch containers? Whether you’re packing lunches for school, meal prepping for work, or storing leftovers, choosing high-quality reusable containers is one of the easiest ways to reduce plastic in your kitchen.
When I started making healthier swaps in our home, lunch containers were one of the first things I replaced. While not all plastic food containers are unsafe, I found that many became scratched, stained, or held onto food odors over time. Today, I reach for stainless steel, glass, and food-grade silicone because they’re durable, easy to clean, and built to last.
If you’re ready to upgrade your lunch routine, here are my favorite non-toxic lunch containers.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use, trust, or would recommend to my own family.
In a hurry? Here are my top recommendations:
Best Overall: PlanetBox Rover
Best Budget Pick: Pyrex Simply Store
Best for Kids: PlanetBox Rover
Best for Meal Prep: Ello Glass Containers
Best for Snacks: Stasher Silicone Bags
Best for Dressings: Ball 4 oz Mini Mason Jars
Why Switch to Non-Toxic Lunch Containers?
There are plenty of reasons to choose reusable alternatives to traditional plastic containers.
Benefits include:
✔ Long-lasting and durable
✔ Easy to clean
✔ Resistant to stains and odors
✔ Better for hot and cold foods
✔ Helps reduce single-use plastic waste
For my family, the biggest benefit is investing in products that last for years instead of replacing worn-out plastic containers every few months.
What Materials Are Best?
Stainless Steel – My Favorite
Stainless steel is my first choice for everyday lunches.
It’s lightweight, incredibly durable, and doesn’t stain or absorb food odors. It’s perfect for school lunches, work lunches, and meal prep.
Glass
Glass is ideal for leftovers and meal prep because many containers can go from the refrigerator to the microwave (following the manufacturer’s instructions). It also stays looking new much longer than plastic. We still use glass containers for some lunches, especially leftovers that need to be reheated, but I don’t recommend them for younger kids. Glass can break if it’s dropped in the lunchroom, so stainless steel is usually my first choice for school lunches.
Platinum Silicone
Food-grade platinum silicone is flexible, reusable, and lightweight. I still prefer stainless steel and glass whenever possible, but silicone is a great option for snacks, freezer storage, and travel.
After trying so many different lunch containers over the years, these are the ones we’ve come back to again and again.
When my kids started taking lunches to school, I quickly realized how many containers we were going through. Between cracked plastic, missing lids, and stained containers, I felt like I was constantly replacing them. As our older containers wore out, we gradually replaced them with stainless steel, glass, and a few silicone options. It’s actually saved us money because we’re buying products that last for years instead of constantly replacing cracked containers and missing lids.
These are the containers I personally recommend and would happily buy again. I chose these products based on the materials they use, durability, ease of cleaning, real-life functionality, and brands that have earned a reputation for making quality reusable food storage products.
Below, I’ll explain why I chose each product, who it’s best for, and where I think it fits into a non-toxic kitchen.
My Favorite Non-Toxic Lunch Containers
| Product | Best For | Material |
|---|---|---|
| PlanetBox Rover | School lunches | Stainless steel |
| ECOlunchbox | Plastic-free meals | Stainless steel |
| Pyrex Simply Store | Meal prep | Glass |
| Ello Containers | Work lunches | Glass |
| Stasher Bags | Snacks | Platinum silicone |
| Zip Top | Kids & travel | Platinum silicone |
| U-Konserve | Snack containers | Stainless steel & silicone |
| Klean Kanteen | Soup & hot meals | Stainless steel |
| Small Glass Jars | Dressings & dips | Glass |
| Bee’s Wrap | Sandwiches & snacks | Organic cotton & beeswax |
1. PlanetBox Rover – Best Overall
Best for: School lunches and everyday use
If I could recommend just one lunch container, it would be the PlanetBox Rover.
The stainless steel divided design makes it easy to pack a balanced lunch without multiple containers, and it’s built to last for years.
Pros
✔ Stainless steel construction
✔ Keeps foods separated
✔ Dishwasher safe
✔ Extremely durable
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
Why I love it: It’s one of those products you buy once and use for years.
Money-Saving Tip: I buy the PlanetBox without the carrying case and simply use an insulated lunch bag I already own. It saves money and works just as well.
2. ECOlunchbox Three-in-One
Best for: Plastic-free families
ECOlunchbox has been making stainless steel food containers for years and is one of the most trusted brands in the low-tox community.
The nesting design makes these containers perfect for sandwiches, snacks, fruit, or leftovers.
Pros
✔ 100% stainless steel
✔ Lightweight
✔ Great for meal prep
3. Pyrex Simply Store Glass Containers
Best for: Meal prep and leftovers
Pyrex is one of my favorite brands because it’s dependable, affordable, and easy to find. I still have some Pyrex from college. (And we won’t talk about how long ago that was!)
Glass containers are perfect for reheating leftovers and storing prepared meals throughout the week.
Pros
✔ Microwave safe (follow manufacturer instructions)
✔ Dishwasher safe
✔ Doesn’t stain
✔ Great value
4. Ello Glass Meal Prep Containers
If you want a modern-looking glass container with protective silicone sleeves, Ello makes excellent meal prep containers that are both functional and attractive. The colors are so fun!
Great for:
- Work lunches
- Meal prep
- Leftovers
5. Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags
These are probably one of the hardest-working products in my kitchen. We use these all of the time!
Instead of disposable zip-top bags, I use Stasher bags for:
- Sandwiches
- Grapes
- Veggies
- Crackers
- Trail mix
- Frozen fruit
They’re reusable, dishwasher safe, and incredibly versatile.
💜 Not sure where to start?
If you’re only buying one product from this list, I’d start with the PlanetBox Rover. It’s the one I recommend most often because it’s durable, easy to pack, and has held up well for our family.
6. Zip Top Silicone Containers
Zip Top containers stand up on their own and have a built-in seal, making them perfect for snacks, yogurt, fruit, or leftovers.
I especially like them because there aren’t any separate lids to lose.
Best for:
- Kids’ lunches
- Snacks
- Travel
7. U-Konserve Stainless Steel Containers
These containers combine a stainless steel base with a food-grade silicone lid, giving you a lightweight and leak-resistant option.
They’re perfect for:
- Fruit
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Meal prep
8. Klean Kanteen Insulated Food Canister
If you pack soup, chili, oatmeal, or pasta, an insulated food jar is worth every penny.
Klean Kanteen’s food canisters help keep food warm for hours, making them a great choice for both kids and adults.
Perfect for:
- Soup
- Chili
- Mac & cheese
- Oatmeal
👉 Shop Klean Kanteen Food Canister
9. Small Glass Containers with Screw-On Lids
Best for: Salad dressings, ketchup, hummus, yogurt, dips, nut butter, and sauces
One thing I quickly realized after switching to reusable lunch containers was that I still needed a reliable way to pack small amounts of dressing or dipping sauce. Tiny glass jars with leak-resistant screw-on lids have become one of my favorite lunch-packing essentials.
They’re easy to wash, don’t stain, and are just the right size for ranch, salsa, peanut butter, or homemade vinaigrette.
I use them for:
- Salad dressing
- Ranch dip
- Hummus
- Guacamole
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Peanut butter
- Salsa
My favorite brands:
- Ball 4 oz Mini Mason Jars – Affordable, easy to find, and great for meal prep.
- Ello Reusable Condiment Containers – A stylish option for dips and sauces.
10. Bee’s Wrap Reusable Food Wrap
Instead of reaching for plastic wrap every day, Bee’s Wrap offers a reusable alternative made from organic cotton coated with beeswax.
They’re perfect for:
- Sandwiches
- Cheese
- Bread
- Cut fruit
A simple swap that can significantly reduce single-use plastic in your kitchen.
My Favorite Lunch Accessories
To make lunch packing even easier, I also recommend:
- Stainless steel water bottle
- Reusable stainless steel utensils
- Cloth napkins
- Silicone cupcake liners for separating snacks
- Insulated lunch bag
My Favorite Lunch Packing Setup
If you’re just getting started, here’s the combination I’d choose:
Main meal: PlanetBox Rover
Snacks: Stasher Silicone Bag
Soup or yogurt: Klean Kanteen Food Canister
Dressing: Small glass jar with a screw-on lid
Lunch bag: PlanetBox Carry Bag (or PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag if you want built-in cooling)
This setup covers almost every lunch-packing need while reducing disposable plastic and making it easy to keep food organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are stainless steel lunch containers safe?
Food-grade stainless steel is widely used for food storage because it’s durable, easy to clean, and resistant to stains and odors.
Is glass too heavy for school lunches?
Glass works wonderfully for adults and meal prep, but stainless steel is usually the better choice for younger children because it’s lighter and less likely to break if dropped.
Is silicone a good alternative to plastic?
Food-grade platinum silicone is commonly used for food storage because it’s flexible, reusable, and durable. While I personally prefer stainless steel and glass for everyday use, silicone is an excellent option when weight, flexibility, or freezer storage is important.
Can stainless steel go in the microwave?
No. Stainless steel should never be used in a microwave. If you plan to reheat your lunch, choose a microwave-safe glass container and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
My Top Picks
If I were starting over today, these are the first products I’d buy:
🥇 PlanetBox Rover – Best overall for school lunches.
🥈 Pyrex Simply Store Glass Containers – My favorite for meal prep and leftovers.
🥉 Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags – A versatile replacement for disposable plastic bags.
These three products cover almost every lunch-packing need and make it easy to reduce plastic without sacrificing convenience.
Final Thoughts
Creating a healthier kitchen doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t have to. Start with the containers you use every day, then gradually replace older ones as they wear out.
For my family, stainless steel is the best choice for daily lunches, glass is ideal for meal prep and leftovers, and silicone is perfect when we need something lightweight and flexible. Every small swap adds up over time, helping you build a kitchen that’s practical, durable, and designed to last.
Looking for more non-toxic kitchen recommendations? Visit my Shop My Favorites page where I’ve gathered many of the products we use and love in our home.
