Health counselor and organic foods chef Charita Singh is passionate about living a zero-waste lifestyle. So passionate, in fact, that she started her own company offering plastic-free lunch boxes, food containers, and more.
The cornerstone of her company is the tiffin, a traditional Indian food carrier composed of stackable tiers. "I have been using tiffins and other stainless steel kitchenware from India all my life," Singh says. "It wasn't until I had a child and started going to playdates and parks that people would come up to me and ask me where I got my tiffins from."
To make these tiffins more accessible in the US, Singh started OM Goods, which carries 2-, 3-, and 4-tier tiffins ($12-20) and other stainless steel food containers and dishes manufactured in India.
In addition to the environmental benefit, stainless steel doesn't absorb food flavors and odors. Singh says they are also easy to clean: "The best way to clean them is with hot soapy water and dry them thoroughly. The dishwasher works wonderfully, although I do not recommend using a conventional detergent but rather a natural one with no harsh chemicals, like Ecover tablets."
To further support the zero-waste lunch movement, OM Goods also carries cloth napkins and tiffin bags. Singh designed the bags herself, adding a side pocket that fits a 12-ounce reusable drink bottle.
• Learn more: OM Goods
Related: 10 Plastic-Free Lunch Boxes
(Images: Julie Prichard)
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but can these be microwaved or how well do they retain heat. I really love our mr bento but the tiffin is so stylish!
If it's metal it can't be microwaved.
Can't be microwaved. I have a bunch of steel tins from India -- although mine don't lock together in a stack like this. They are great for carrying lunch, the lids fit on very tightly. But no microwaving!
I use pint sized ball jars for my lunches, they never leak and can be microwaved (without the lid of course).
These tiffins are lovely, but don't suit our preferred lunches. Instead, we use glass or ceramic containers: lidded soup cups, canning jars, 2 cup bowls or 3 cup mini casseroles. I freeze lunch sized portions in the container and heat in a microwave without the (plastic) lid. They work just as well for fresh salads.
I love the idea of not using plastic, but I commute to work on the subway and always looking for lunch containers that are as small and light as possible so I can put them in my regular bag and not have to carry an additional bag. I use standard flat tupperwares because they can slide into even a messenger bag without taking up room. Also, the microwave issue is a negative. There aren't always plates at my office that I can use.
Actually metal tiffins are used almost exclusively in India. Hot lunches are delivered in these just before lunch. Some cities here have started these tiffin services such as the one on this link http://www.tiffinmeals.com/menu.php I think it's neat!
I have a two-tier tiffin container and I love it! It's not large in size, but can fit a lot of food. I usually only use the top compartment. I got mine from ReuseIt, though, so I don't know how the size compares to the ones from Om.
I bring a plate and set of eating utensils to work so i can microwave and avoid using plastic since it's not great to microwave plastic (breaks down faster).
There are some BPA free plastic bento boxes out there as well that are also microwave safe.
I keep a small corning ware glass casserole dish (and glass cover) in my desk. I heat up my lunch every day in that dish. I do not generate waste, by using the styrofoam plates and plastic ware that are available here at the office. I wash the dish every day, after eating out of it, and put it away. I have been doing this for years and years.