It's no secret that our consumption habits have a devastating impact on the environment. Especially when it comes to plastic, many of us are now looking for alternatives. Sabrina from the ECO Brotbox team tells us today why it makes sense to switch from plastic and stainless steel containers and what advantages this change offers.
This is precisely the kind of shift in thinking that we want to promote with ECO Brotbox. Many people are still unaware of the negative impact all that plastic can have on our environment and our health. When you consider how much plastic ultimately ends up in nature, what pollutants it can contain, and how we ourselves are already exposed to microplastics, it's quite alarming.
When Mustafa launched ECO Brotbox in 2014, the negative effects of plastic were slowly becoming more widely known. He and his wife wanted to eliminate plastic from their family kitchen as much as possible – but at that time, there were hardly any alternatives to the classic plastic lunchboxes, especially on the German market. After some research, he decided to bring the stainless steel containers, which had been used for generations in India, to Germany. And so, for over three years now, we have been helping people to easily avoid plastic when it comes to their food and drinks.
As already mentioned, stainless steel is simply better for the environment and our bodies! Anything packaged in plastic can absorb the harmful substances contained in the plastic, which then ultimately end up in our bodies. High-quality stainless steel, like the kind we use for our products, is completely free of harmful substances and therefore safe for both adults and children.
And the environment benefits too, as the durable containers significantly reduce waste from (single-use) packaging. Should a product ever become unusable, it can be easily recycled.
We have boxes in many different sizes, so you can let your creativity run wild when using them :)
Primarily, they are of course intended for packing food on the go. And it doesn't matter what the situation – stainless steel is extremely robust and can withstand a lot, so the boxes are perfect for school, kindergarten, and outdoor use. Depending on your needs, we also offer containers that are insulated or leakproof.
The containers are also wonderfully suited for packaging-free shopping or for storing food in the home refrigerator.
The advantage of all these boxes is, of course, the stainless steel itself – it makes the products robust and very durable. Plus, they can simply go in the dishwasher after use, saving time. And perhaps you're familiar with that unpleasant aftertaste of plastic in food that you often notice with conventional containers? You don't get that with stainless steel, because it's food-safe and there are no adverse effects on smell or taste.
And yes, our boxes (without silicone rings) can actually be used in the oven, for example to bake a small cake, or while camping, for example over a fire or on a camping stove. You just have to be very careful, as they get extremely hot!
All ECO Brotbox products are dishwasher safe. For the bottles and straws, we also recommend regular cleaning with a brush and mild dish soap. A small cleaning brush is included with the straws.
Otherwise, it's important to know that stainless steel should never be heated in a microwave. Freezing is also not ideal, as this can reduce the material's lifespan.
We have our products responsibly manufactured in India and China, as these countries have extensive experience in the production of lunchboxes and water bottles. Fair wages and safe working conditions are of paramount importance to us, which is why we maintain close personal contact with our production partners. Our founder and CEO, Mustafa, also makes regular on-site visits to ensure compliance with our values. Naturally, no children are employed by our production partners.
If you'd like to know how you can save even more money on lunch with the ECO lunchboxes , check out A HUNGY MIND . There, Sabine tells us how she uses her ECO lunchbox every day and spends even less money :)
1. Sabrina, in recent years our society has undergone a shift in thinking. More and more people want to avoid plastic and are looking for alternatives. Why is it so important to you to address this issue with ECO Brotbox and enable people to live a plastic-free everyday life?
This is precisely the kind of shift in thinking that we want to promote with ECO Brotbox. Many people are still unaware of the negative impact all that plastic can have on our environment and our health. When you consider how much plastic ultimately ends up in nature, what pollutants it can contain, and how we ourselves are already exposed to microplastics, it's quite alarming.
When Mustafa launched ECO Brotbox in 2014, the negative effects of plastic were slowly becoming more widely known. He and his wife wanted to eliminate plastic from their family kitchen as much as possible – but at that time, there were hardly any alternatives to the classic plastic lunchboxes, especially on the German market. After some research, he decided to bring the stainless steel containers, which had been used for generations in India, to Germany. And so, for over three years now, we have been helping people to easily avoid plastic when it comes to their food and drinks.
2. Why should one switch from plastic to stainless steel containers at all?
As already mentioned, stainless steel is simply better for the environment and our bodies! Anything packaged in plastic can absorb the harmful substances contained in the plastic, which then ultimately end up in our bodies. High-quality stainless steel, like the kind we use for our products, is completely free of harmful substances and therefore safe for both adults and children.
And the environment benefits too, as the durable containers significantly reduce waste from (single-use) packaging. Should a product ever become unusable, it can be easily recycled.
Initially, stainless steel containers are of course a larger investment than comparable plastic products, but when you consider how long the stainless steel containers will last, it quickly pays for itself!
3. What can I actually use my ECO bread box for, and what advantages do your products have over conventional bread boxes? Is it true that you can even put it in the oven?
We have boxes in many different sizes, so you can let your creativity run wild when using them :)
Primarily, they are of course intended for packing food on the go. And it doesn't matter what the situation – stainless steel is extremely robust and can withstand a lot, so the boxes are perfect for school, kindergarten, and outdoor use. Depending on your needs, we also offer containers that are insulated or leakproof.
The containers are also wonderfully suited for packaging-free shopping or for storing food in the home refrigerator.
But storing food isn't all these boxes can do. The small XL snack box, for example, is also popular for storing all sorts of odds and ends or unwrapped tissues, while the chutney boxes are great travel companions and protect small portions of creams and similar items.
The advantage of all these boxes is, of course, the stainless steel itself – it makes the products robust and very durable. Plus, they can simply go in the dishwasher after use, saving time. And perhaps you're familiar with that unpleasant aftertaste of plastic in food that you often notice with conventional containers? You don't get that with stainless steel, because it's food-safe and there are no adverse effects on smell or taste.
And yes, our boxes (without silicone rings) can actually be used in the oven, for example to bake a small cake, or while camping, for example over a fire or on a camping stove. You just have to be very careful, as they get extremely hot!
4. Are there any special considerations regarding the care of ECO Brotbox products?
All ECO Brotbox products are dishwasher safe. For the bottles and straws, we also recommend regular cleaning with a brush and mild dish soap. A small cleaning brush is included with the straws.
Otherwise, it's important to know that stainless steel should never be heated in a microwave. Freezing is also not ideal, as this can reduce the material's lifespan.
5. Where are your products produced and what is particularly important to you in the manufacturing process?
We have our products responsibly manufactured in India and China, as these countries have extensive experience in the production of lunchboxes and water bottles. Fair wages and safe working conditions are of paramount importance to us, which is why we maintain close personal contact with our production partners. Our founder and CEO, Mustafa, also makes regular on-site visits to ensure compliance with our values. Naturally, no children are employed by our production partners.
6. Your three tips for less plastic in everyday life!
- Be prepared! Always carry your own water bottle and stay hydrated on the go without having to buy disposable plastic bottles.
- Zero-waste shopping! More and more supermarkets are accepting customers' own containers at the deli counters. Simply bring a box like the large Goodies Box and save on packaging!
- No straw, please! For example, order your cocktail without a straw in bars. If you can't do without one, simply carry an eco-friendly stainless steel straw in your bag – it looks much more stylish too ;)
Save money: Zero Waste Lunch
If you'd like to know how you can save even more money on lunch with the ECO lunchboxes , check out A HUNGY MIND . There, Sabine tells us how she uses her ECO lunchbox every day and spends even less money :)
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