Reusable Sandwich Bags by Eco Tav

A number of schools have established litterless lunches as a way to cut down on the amount of garbage they dispose. Kids are to bring lunches and snacks without wrappings and anything that isn't eaten or can be put in an organic container is sent back home for the parents to deal with.

We're pretty good at packing lunches by using reusable lunch bags and refillable stainless thermoses for drinks, but one area I sometimes run into a problem is with the food containers (usually for snacks). I sent out a tweet looking for reusable snack bags and I was told about a Canadian company Eco-TAV (I love twitter).

Tracey, the owner and creator behind Eco-TAV kindly sent me a Napkin, a Mini Pouch and a Sandwich Pouch to review.

The Eco-TAV products are handmade from either 100% Hemp or a blend of 45% Organic Cotton/55% Hemp. The Napkin and Sandwich Pouch have metal snaps and all products can be hand or machine washed.

The Mini Pouch ($5.00 Cdn) is a little bag measuring about 5 in x 5.5 in with a fabric flip fold top (similar to the design of the original plastic sandwhich bags). I found I used this little bag often. It's ideal for small snack items like goldfish crackers, raisins, grapes or even orange segments. The flip top is easy for little hands to get in but suprisingly nothing falls out (though perhaps if you had something really small like granola it might not all stay in the bag).

ecotavwfruit The Napkin ($12.00 Cdn) is one of my favourite items. It's a combination pouch and placemat, all with a few folds and snaps. When unfolded, the placemat/napkin measures 14 in x18 in; when folded into a handy three pocket pouch it measures 6 in x 6.5 in. I participate in a nature program with my two younger kids. Before we head out for our wood walk all the kids sit and have a snack on the floor. The Napkin enables me to pack some fruit and buns to eat then I can unsnap and unfold and have a nice clean eating surface (not worries about food ending up on the dirty floor where everyone's shoes have been). My daughter has tried this at school too with a sandwich and loved the idea of having a little placemat. It's fairly easy to snap and fold the napkin into a pouch and visa-versa. After I showed my daughter how to do this once, she had it down pat. Tracy actually created a video demonstrating how to fold the Napkin. And the pouch actually has three separate pockets if you wanted to separate a sandwhich from a piece of fruit. There's not flip lid for this though so the items you store in here should be big and fit into the bag without sticking out.

The Sandwich Pouch ($10.00 Cdn) measures 8 in x 8.5 in and is Eco-TAV's most popular item. Like the Mini Pouch, the Sandwich Pouch has a flap cover but with a snap for extra security. I didn't use this pouch that much, though it came in really handy to carry a handful of clemintine oranges on our trip to the Santa Claus parade. This could be used to carry one sandwich or other large items like a bagel or fruit.

As mentioned earlier, all the Eco-TAV items are washable. The only item I've washed to date is the napkin due to a messy sandwich, but the pouches I've been able to turn inside out and shake the crumbs out, ready to use another day.

So instead of reaching for another plastic baggie, perhaps one of the pouches from Eco-TAV might be an alternative choice.

* Product provided for review.

About the Author

With a background in advertising, Carrie Anne left the agency life to spend more time with her three energetic and active kids (age 7, 5, & 2). She continues to work with marketing agencies testing online programs and has been working with Today's Parent magazine for the last three years testing toys for their annual toy issue.

As a Mom Influencer and the Review Editor at Everythingmom.com , Carrie Anne plans to share her thoughts on products that might be of interest to you and your family. She will put them to the test so you don't have to.

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