Safer Kids Cup and Dish Guide
UPDATED 7/12/2009
Finding safer cups and dishes for older kids has been a challenge. We’re embarking on an expedition to see what we can find. Our list is slowly growing as we we are able to confirm more BPA, PVC, phthalate, and melamine-free options, so check back soon!
Kidishes
Parents everywhere today are looking for an alternative to plastic dishes. Kidishes are made from tempered glass, which is amazingly durable and safe. They are available in kid-size bowls (5.5″ diameter), cups (5oz) and plates (7.4″ diameter).
Crocodile Creek
Crocodile Creek just launched the cutest and most functional lunch gear! Their new stainless steel drink bottles and PVC-free lunchboxes are the perfect pair for kids on the go.
CaliBowl
The one-of-a-kind CaliBowl is perfectly shaped to help toddlers and kids feed themselves without the mess! They’re available in BPA-free plastic or ceramic.
Lunchbots
The LunchBots Uno and Duo containers are the perfect container for packing a sandwich, burrito, grapes or nuts – your favorite lunch to go. 100% high quality stainless steel (both lid and container) make for a seriously durable and healthy food storage system!
ECOLunches
ECOLunchbox Waste-free Kit comes with a bamboo spork, stainless steel food container, sauce container with lid, cotton napkins – all in a handmade, durable carrying bag that can be used like a backpack. The stainless steel food and sauce containers can be purchased separately too.
Thinkbaby
Thinkbaby Stainless Steel Feeding Set includes a soup bowl and cereal bowl with lid, insulated bento box with snap down, leak-proof lid, cup with handle and utensils.
Kids Konserve
The Kids Konserve waste-free lunch kit and other reusable products were the natural outgrowth of what two women saw as a big need that required immediate attention. With the premise that any business they undertook had to help the environment in some way, it didn’t take much imagination to see how they, as parents of young children, were contributing to garbage landfills, pollutants and sending the wrong message to their own children.
The lunch kit includes recycled cotton sack, cloth napkin, 16 oz. stainless steel beverage bottle, food kozy, two stainless steel food containers, and recycled aluminum name tag.
Built NY
The Built NY Munchlers Lunch Bags are not only made from safer materials – they’re so cute that any kiddo would be proud to take their lunch in them! They’re insulated and zip open to lay flat for use as a placemat too.
Bambu
The Bambu Kids line has a little bit of everything to make meals safer and more eco-friendly: Disposable Bamdino Plates, Mini Bowls, Spork and Utensil Sets
Thermos continues to pump out safer feeding gear for kids. The FUNtainer Straw Bottles and Food Jars are amazing and in our experience, you just can’t top their the versatility, durability and cuteness. We often entice our older kids to drink their water by loading up a straw bottle – it helps keep them from from feeling like they’re missing out on those sugary drinks.
Think Sport
Think Sport has turned their grown-up water bottle into a mini me for kids! Just like the adult version, Think Sport’s super light weight stainless steel bottle has an elegant design and is easy to hold and drink from. It holds 12oz, is vacuum sealed to keep drinks hot or cold for hours, won’t “sweat” and fits into most car cup holders. The new mini me is be the perfect solution for sports teams on those hot summer days!
Obentec
Laptop Lunches were created by two Moms with school aged kids. Their mission is to help families improve lunchtime nutrition and reduce waste. They believe that healthy kids come from healthy communities and work hard to provide products free from BPA, PVC and Lead.
Recycline
Recycline Preserve dishware is made from recycled polypropylene (#5) which is BPA, PVC and phthalate free. Their products are reusable, dishwasher safe on low-heat cycles and made in the USA. You can find them at the Recycline website.
Arrow Plastics Manufacturing
Arrow is based in Illinois and all of their products are manufactured right here in the U.S. All of their plastic scrap, used corrugated containers, wrapping materials and pallets are recycled (none of these materials are deposited in landfills). You can often find these products at Walmart, but they are not currently available online (we’re working with Arrow to add their children’s line to our store soon). They have a huge line of products, so we’ll just focus on great stuff for kids. All of the following Frostware and Sip-a-cup/bowls/pops are made from polypropylene and are marked with recycling code #5.
IKEA
IKEA’s Stated Commitment: “IKEA works to ensure that products and materials are environmentally adapted and are safe for our customers from a health perspective. As part of our business idea, we insist on keeping costs low and always try to use resources wisely when designing our products. We strive to use renewable and recyclable materials in our products.” You can locate an IKEA store near you here.
UPDATE 12/10/08: I’m even more impressed with IKEA now that I’ve been searching through website again for new options – they have labeled ALL of their food containers with the materials used. Hooray for IKEA!
ZAK! Designs
Safe Mama did some digging and found out that all of their children’s dinnerware is BPA and PVC free. Their cups, snack n go containers and cereal on the go cups are made from polypropylene (#5) which is what we would recommend from their products for older kids. Some of their plates and bowls are made from melamine (as seen in Iron Man below), which we wouldn’t recommend (even though it is BPA and PVC free). Read more about it here.
Trebimbi
Trebimbi makes a huge assortment of BPA and PVC free dishes and utensils. They’re unique, innovative and great for enticing kids to the dinner table.
Stay tuned for updates – we’re always working to locate more great alternative options for kids!
Filed under: Glass, Kids Cups, Dishes and Utensils, Polypropylene, Safer Materials, Wood
