Batting 1000? Maybe not. Eating 1000? Probably!
Did you know the average person uses 1000 disposable plastic bags a year?! And that's just talking landfill waste...not the water, land, and air pollution caused from their manufacturing or taking into consideration the many chemical compounds present in plastic that could be contaminating your food during transport/storage. YIKES!!!
In a disposable world filled with plastic, increasing awareness of the simplicity of reusable options in everything from baby diapers to snack bags is helping people to decrease their landfill footprint...fast! Whether you are buying reusable bags for your child or yourself, there are several important factors in helping you choose the best matched baggie for your buck. In this review, we're going to address the differences in these two very popular brands of reusable food bags in hopes it will help you to find your perfect match on the first try {don't you wish the dating world were this easy}!
One of the most often overlooked yet very important aspects to check out in your potential product choice is size. If you happen to prefer hoagie roll sandwiches, ciabattas, or larger sized loaf bread slices - your lunch won't fit into every brand of reusable bag. Unlike plastic bags, which have fairly standardized sizes by content volume, reusable bags are typically measured in dimensions. Since most of us don't measure the dimensions of our food,this is one case where slightly bigger is actually better.
ReUsiesSizes: Snack: 6" x 5 / Sandwich: 7.5" x 6"
Made in WA, USA
Materials: 100% cotton + 100% nylon lining
Closure: foldover flap with Velcro
Washability: Machine wash/dry; Dishwasher wash; wipe down interior with soapy water
Price: $7 snack size; $9 sandwich size
Patterns: 25+ to choose from, more traditional prints
Water-resistant
Lunchskins Sizes: Snack: 6.5" x 3" / Sandwich: 6.5" x 6.5" / Sub: 8" x 7"
Made in USA (Fabric made in Europe)
Materials: Polyurethane coated cotton
Closure: foldover flap with Velcro
Washability: Dishwasher-safe
Price: $7.85 snack size; $8.95 sandwich size; $10.95 sub size
Patterns: Up to 10 different prints, more trendy prints
Waterproof
Lunchskins goes a step further to ensure their company is acting in an environmentally responsible manner, here it is in their own words: "we are primarily paper-free with the majority of bills and business conducted online, we use minimal packaging made from recycled materials in our shipments, we print all promotional materials on recycled materials at a local printing company, we use compact fluorescent bulbs and low flow faucets, and we bike to our office or work from home."
So what did we think of these bags? We really like the ReUsies fabrics - they feel like actual cloth - whereas the Lunchskins have a thick vinyl feeling to them at first (they soften with time). However, when packing a food that needs to retain moisture (especially fruits), the Lunchskins' waterproof ability was unmatched. We preferred to machine wash the ReUsies versus dishwasher clean the Lunchskins, but that is simply a matter of personal preference that will vary with each person. In the end, both sets of bags were superior to any disposable bag which means that regardless of which one you choose, you'll be a much happier camper, er eater, than you already are!
Are you ready to trade your 1000 for 10? Check out the ReUsies and Lunchskins websites and make a difference starting TODAY!
