Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does the Laptop Lunch Container come with only two inner lids, (one food container lid and one dip container lid)?
• In a national survey we conducted, we found that the number one frustration experienced by parents who pack lunches in reusable containers is the search for lids and containers that match. Our unique Laptop Lunch design eliminates the bother of mis-matched lids.
• Kids (and adults) enjoy opening their lunch container and seeing what their food options are. We like to eat food that is nicely presented. If all the containers were lidded, you would open the outer container and see...well...lids!
• Our survey revealed that most families pack one wet food per meal. We wanted to provide a water-tight container to accommodate those wet foods. By including both lidded and unlidded containers, we provide both convenience and versatility.

2. How can I pack a drink?
The Laptop Lunch container is designed to fit inside a lunchbox with a drink and an ice pack. It fits inside most soft-style lunchboxes and insulated lunch bags.

3. Does the outer container leak?
The outer container will not leak if you pack your wet foods in the lidded containers. The unlidded containers are designed to accommodate dry foods such as sliced apple, carrot and celery sticks, crackers, and pretzels.

4. Is the Laptop Lunch container made of recyclable plastic?
• Yes. The outer container and inner containers are made of polypropylene and the lids are made of polyethylene. Both are recyclable but may not be collected at the curb in your area. Check with your recycling center or waste hauler to find out how you can recycle these materials in your area.
• Keep in mind that these containers are built to last a long time, so it is unlikely that they will need to be recycled anytime soon!

5. Do kids really keep track of all those pieces? I've tried sending Tupperware containers to school, but they never come home!
• Children don't treat their Laptop Lunches the same way they treat mom's food storage containers. They hang on to them because they take pride in ownership. The Laptop Lunch container belongs to them!
• The pieces fit together like a puzzle, so it's easy to see when something's missing from the set.
• All of our products can be labeled with a child's name. If a piece is left at school, the adult who finds it will know who it belongs to, and will likely make sure that it's returned.

6. I have heard that some plastics can cause health problems.
Should I be concerned about that?
• Laptop lunches take great care to ensure that we use the safest materials available. For this reason all lunch containers are manufactured in California using plastics (polypropylene and polyethylene) that are FDA-approved for food use. No binding agents or plasticizers are used in the process as well as any materials that are suspected carcinogens or endocrine disrupters.
• Most parents currently pack lunches in plastic wrap, plastic bags, and single-serve plastic packages, including PET water bottles, which are considered far less stable than their reusable counterparts. Plastic may not be the perfect solution, but it does offer a stylish, affordable, non-breakable alternative for families wishing to move from a disposable to a reusable system.

7. Your products seem kind of expensive compared to other lunchboxes. Why is that?
• Our products are made of high-quality materials, and they are built to last.
• Laptop lunches are only made in the U.S and sell to few Canadian locations. EnviroMom On-line allows Canadian shoppers to order this product without having to pay hefty tariffs and custom costs.

8. What are the dimensions of your containers?
• The carrying case is approximately 12 x 8 x 2.75, and comes with a 2 x 2 x 7 inch water bottle.
• The outer container is approximately 9 x 7 x 2 inches.
• The inner containers are approximately 4.5 x 3 x 1.75 and 4.75 x 3 x 1.75 and 2 x 3 x 1.75, and 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.75 inches. This is a modular system so you can include or omit the containers as needed. The two larger containers hold 1 cup each. The two smaller containers hold 1/2 cup each.

9. Are the containers dishwasher safe?
Yes, the bento box outer container and inner containers are dishwasher safe (top rack only, away from the heating element). Our stainless steel products are not dishwasher safe. (CAUTION: Laptop Lunch containers may warp if exposed to very hot temperatures. DO NOT use heat boosters. DO NOT wash in the dishwasher on high heat.)

10. Are the inner containers microwaveable for reheating food?
Our plastic containers are all FDA-approved for microwave use. However, some experts believe that microwaving in plastics of any kind may be hazardous. If you microwave in plastics, our containers are fine. Please note that the lids are not microwave safe.

11. How can I fit a sandwich in the Laptop Lunch?
A sandwich can fit in several ways:
• A thin sandwich can be cut in half and stacked in the largest container.
• A thick sandwich can be cut in half with each half placed in each of the larger containers.
• You can remove the larger containers and place a whole or cut sandwich directly inside the outer box.

12. Thanks for all the valuable information on your site! Is there an easy way for me to pass these ideas on to families and staff at our school?
We have a ready-to-go 2-sided flyer available at www.laptoplunches.com/articles/PackHealthyLunchesFlyer.pdf. Feel free to print it off and distribute as you see fit. Side one provides information on packing nutritious lunches. Side two covers waste-free lunch basics.

13. Does the water bottle fit inside the carrying case with the Laptop Lunch container?
Yes, the water bottle sits along one edge of the carrying case and the Laptop Lunch container sits next to it. An ice pack in the mesh pouch will press against the food containers, keeping the food nice and cold.

14. I recently read a press release about children's lunchboxes containing lead! Is this for real? What about Laptop Lunches? Have they been tested?
I assume that you're referring to the Center for Environmental Health's press release entitled "A Back to School Warning: Children’s Vinyl Lunch Boxes Can Contain Dangerous Levels of Lead," posted at www.cehca.org/lunchboxes.htm. As crazy as this claim sounds, it is--unfortunately--not a hoax.
The good news is that Laptop Lunches have been thoroughly tested and are completely lead-free.

15. Can I fit the Laptop Lunch Bento Box, the small lunch jar, and a water bottle in the carrying case?
No, the carrying case was designed to hold the Laptop Lunch Bento Box and our plastic water bottle. The Bento Bag fits a Laptop Lunch Bento Box, a drink bottle, and the small lunch jar. We also recommend using the Bento Sleeve with an ice pack to keep cold foods fresh.