Plastic-Free July is almost here. To celebrate the sustainable initiative, the supplier of Australia’s most loved lunch products is sharing their top eco-friendly picks to help you sip and snack without sacrificing the planet – not just this month, but moving forward.
They’re best known as the Australian distributor of the cult-favourite bento-style lunchbox, Yumbox, but Mini Hippo has a lot of other sustainable products on offer, too.
“We are always thinking about how we can make better, more sustainable choices for the planet,”
says Mini Hippo founder, Megan Mallen.
“Knowing that plastic straws, coffee cups and lids, single-use cutlery and disposable plastic containers are among the worst offenders when it comes to plastic polution, we’re always looking for ways to make your child’s school lunch more sustainable – products that will last you years or, better yet, will biodegrade.”
Earthwatch estimates that – thanks to the eight million metric tonnes of plastic entering our waters every year – the ocean will contain more plastic than fish by 2050. Yikes.
In honour of Plastic-Free July, Mini Hippo has rounded up the top reusable and eco-friendly products to invest in, not just for the month ahead, but for school lunches for years to come.
PETIT MONKEY BACKPACKS
Designed with sustainability in mind, Petit Monkey backpacks are made with recycled PET bottles making them as sustainable as they are gorgeous.PET bottles are collected, recycled and shredded, before being spun into yarn to weave a 100% sustainable fabric called rPET. After a milky coating is added to the fabric (making it super easy to clean – winner!) it’s fashioned into products like these Petit Monkey backpacks.
EMONDO KIDS CUTLERY SET
Made from degradable wheat straw, this lightweight yet solid cutlery set can be reused over and over again. The handy case keeps it clean, while also containing any crumbs and food residue until the next wash. Dishwasher-friendly with no BPA, melamine, phathlates or other toxins, the set is also biodegradable at the end of its life. Winning!
WEAN GREEN
Eliminate the need for harmful plastic food storage with Wean Green! These eco-friendly storage options are made of durable tempered glass and come with a silicone-sealed, leak-proof lid and are all BPA, PVC, lead and phthalate free. Glass is made from naturally abundant resources like sand, soda ash and limestone, and contains no chemicals that can leach into food.
KAFE IN THE BOX
Ditch the disposable cup in favour of the stylish alternative, Kafe in the Box! Precidio’s light, double-walled reusable travel cup doesn’t have the heaviness of stainless or ceramic cups, making it much lighter in your bag! It fits easily into car cup holders and has a sculpted spout which “hugs” your lip as you drink. It’s made from sturdy Tritan and is totally food-safe, BPA, BPS and phthalate free.
WRAP’D
Say goodbye to unnecessary cling wrap, aluminium foil and rubber bands, and hello to Wrap’d – the perfect solution to keep your wrap fresh and tasty. It works a bit like peeling a banana! It encases your wrap for travel to school, work and beyond, and eliminates mess while you eat. It also acts as a hygienic barrier between your hands and food, and is fully reusable, dishwasher safe and BPA free.
Pick up one up for just $32 – or four payments of $8 with Afterpay – at Minihippo Australia or from Amazon USA website or Amazon UK website or Amazon Australia directly.