Non-Toxic Products For Back To School
*Updated 9/6/22
As we switch gears from summer, it’s a great time to replace school essentials for safer options. Food storage and hygiene are top of mind as these items are used daily by kids throughout the school year.
Ditch Plastic Food Storage
Studies show plastic food storage can expose us to endocrine-disrupting bisphenol A (“BPA”). BPA leaches into the food and drink it packages and enters the bloodstream. Effects of BPA range from DNA damage at low doses, to destroying cells at high doses. Animal and in vitro studies show an association between BPA exposure and breast cancer. Additionally, BPA is considered a class 2 reproductive toxin.[1]
BPS and BPF were introduced as alternatives to BPA, but unfortunately they too are not safe. While BPS and BPF have stability against high temperature and are resistant to sunlight, their estrogenic effects are equal to or great than BPA’s.[2]
Safer food storage options include glass, stainless steel, and silicone.
Safe Food Storage Options
Storage Bags
Instead of plastic ziploc bags, try silicone bags like Stasher. These come in a wide range of sizes and are dishwasher safe. Wash silicone bags upside down on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Lunchboxes and Snack Containers
For lunch and snack containers, opt for stainless steel that is durable and won’t crack or shatter in backpacks. LunchBots containers come in many sizes (with or without compartments) and a detached, easy to snap-on top. Planetbox makes wonderful stainless steel boxes that are designed like a lunch tray. The trays come in multiples sizes and have an attached lid that is easy for kids to open and close. Planetbox sells accessories including leakproof inserts, cool packs, carrying bags, magnetic utensils, and water bottles.
Water Bottles
Avoid plastic water bottles and opt for stainless steel. A good option for young kids is the Yeti Rambler Junior because it’s easy for kids to open and close on their own, and it has a carrying handle. Unlike many other stainless steel water bottles, Rambler Juniors are dishwasher safe and come with an extra straw.
Non-Toxic Hand Hygiene
At school, kids are washing hands and using hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day. Opt for alcohol based hand sanitizers without added fragrances. The CDC recommends hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol. Look for a clear liquid without artificial dyes. You’ll also want to avoid those with fragrance, parfum or aroma listed on in the label. (Read more about why you want to avoid fragrance here). Avoid any sanitizers that contain triclosan, triclocarban, benzethonium chloride (BEC), and chloroxylenol. (To learn more about hand sanitizers, check out this post).
Two safer, gentler hand sanitizers are Dr. Bronner’s peppermint and EO Products lavender. These two are great options because they do not have a strong alcohol smell and are not overly drying. Hand soaps in schools can be harsh on skin especially with frequent use. Consider packing small foam pump bottles with your own soap in kids’ backpacks, like these from Branch Basics which are sold separately or in the Branch Basics Travel Set.
References & Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5977157/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5323866/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29348075/
https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/perfume-allergies/en/index.htm
