It’s not just you—keeping lunch fresh (and still vaguely appetising) by midday is a skill. Especially when you’re up against a blazing Aussie summer and a lunch bag that’s seen better days. And while the trusty old ice brick used to be the go-to, most of them are bulky, made of plastic, and filled with... mystery gel. Not exactly lunchbox goals.
The good news? There are much better ways to keep things cool without relying on plastic blocks that look like they belong in an esky.
So whether you're packing school lunches, work meals, or prepping for a day out and about, this guide is full of non-toxic, eco-friendly cooling ideas that are kinder to your food—and the planet. From smart gear swaps to frozen snack hacks, here’s how to pack a waste-free lunch and keep it cool minus the chemical sidekick.
Why Skip the Plastic Ice Brick?
Most traditional ice bricks contain synthetic gel and are housed in hard plastic—neither of which are easily recyclable. If one breaks, it can leak questionable goo onto your lunch (not ideal). They’re also bulky, often too heavy for school bags, and definitely not a planet-friendly option.
In Australia, where hot days are frequent and lunch often needs to survive a school bag or work backpack until noon, choosing safer, non-toxic lunch cooling ideas and methods just makes sense. And with eco-friendly options now widely available, there’s no reason to stick with the old freezer bricks of the past.
Eco-Friendly Ice Pack Alternatives That Actually Work
1. Reusable Ice Packs: Cool, Comfy, Non-Toxic
Let’s start with a Hello Green favourite: the MontiiCo Large Ice Pack. It’s filled with non-toxic gel, comes in a wipe-clean nylon cover, and stays frozen for hours without turning your bag into a drippy mess.
Perfect for school lunches, daycare bags, and even work meals. Plus, it’s slim enough to fit into most lunch bags and can chill the whole box. For a smaller snack-sized option, the Sachi Gel Ice Pack does the trick.
Hello Green Tip:Add this to your MontiiCo Insulated Lunch Bag and you’ve got yourself an unstoppable chill combo.
2. Chill Your Bottle The Safe Way
Not all bottles love the freezer—and we’re not about cracked lids or surprise leaks. But you can pop cold water in your insulated bottle and keep it in the fridge overnight for an easy refresh in the morning. Bonus points if your bottle’s already built to keep drinks cool for hours (which most of ours are).
Try it with the Oasis Kids Insulated S/Steel Drink Bottle (550ml) or the Earthware Earth Bottle Premium Insulated Water Bottle (1L)—both BPA-free, built to handle Aussie heat, and perfect for keeping drinks cold long after the lunch bell rings.
3. Use a Freezable Lunch Bag (Yes, They Exist)
Some lunch bags are designed to be frozen themselves. Brands like PackIt offer freezable lunch bags with built-in cooling technology, so the entire bag becomes a cooler—no ice brick required.
Just pop the empty bag in the freezer overnight, pack lunch in the morning, and you’re sorted. These are especially useful for travel days or longer commutes when lunch needs to stay cold for longer than usual.
You’ll also find them in fun prints that kids actually want to carry.
4. Insulation Is Key
A good insulated lunch bag helps keep food at a safe temperature for longer—even without an ice pack.
It’s best to choose a bag with thick insulation and water-resistant lining, like the The Fox Club Easy Carry Insulated Lunch Bag or the Bentgo Deluxe Lunch Bag. Bonus points if it fits your bento box and drink bottle perfectly, no awkward squeezing required.
Hello Green Tip: Keep the bag zipped tight and out of direct sunlight to maximise chill.
5. Frozen Snacks to the Rescue
Packing frozen snacks is an easy way to keep your lunchbox cooland exciting.
Try:
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Frozen yoghurt tubes (wrapped in beeswax wraps)
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Frozen grapes or berries
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Homemade bliss balls stored in a silicone pod and chilled overnight
These items slowly thaw by lunchtime and help keep everything else in the box fresh. Just remember to pack them in leakproof containers or snack cups like the OmieBox Snack Container or the Yumbox 3 Compartment Snack Bowl (384ml) to avoid damp surprises.
Smart Packing = Cooler Lunches
Still feeling the heat? It’s all about how you pack. Here are a few underrated tricks that work wonders:
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Pack dense foods next to perishables: Things like whole boiled eggs, firm veggies (carrots, celery), or even a chilled tub of hummus can help keep nearby items cooler. It’s DIY thermal regulation, the snack version.
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Layer it like a pro: Keep your cooler items at the bottom and stack dry or room-temp snacks on top. Cooler air sinks, so this keeps your fresh bits fresher for longer.
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Wrap in a cloth napkin or tea towel: It’s not just eco-friendly—it adds a layer of insulation and keeps things snug. Plus, handy for spills and impromptu picnic vibes.
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Use bento lunch boxes: Separating items like fresh fruit, crackers, or cheese in leak-proof sections (like in aYumbox Original Bento Lunch Box or an Earthware No-Tox Silicone Bento Lunch Box) keeps moisture where it belongs—and stops it from turning everything else soggy.
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Skip the hot car trap: If you’re out and about, keep your lunch bag out of the sun. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how quickly things warm up on the passenger seat. Pop it in the shade or bring it inside when you can.
Hello Green Tip: If you usually bring the same thing for lunch each day, get a second lunch box and rotate them from fridge to bag. Always cold, always clean, no lunch-packing panic at 7am.
Your Cooler, Greener Lunch Starts Here
Keeping your lunch cool without a plastic ice brick doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few swaps like eco-friendly ice packs, freezable bags, andinsulated containers, you can reduce waste, avoid chemical-filled plastics, and make lunch and snack time a whole lot more enjoyable.
And there’s definitely something quietly satisfying about unzipping your bag to find your salad still crisp, your fruit still fresh, and your sandwich still—well, sandwich-shaped.
Ready to green your lunch routine? Check out Hello Green’s full range of eco lunch essentials and see just how easy (and cute) it is to make the switch.
