Packing a lunch for the eco-conscious can be a dilemma. Although many parents and kids are using re-usable lunch bags instead of paper ones, what is there to do about the packaging of the child's sandwich and snack? As a kid I remember trying to save the plastic bags that my snack or sandwich came packed in, which was often a bit messy and didn't always work out to be as reusable or washable as I would have liked.

On a recent vacation, I ran across this solution: The Wrap-n-mat (www.wrap-n-mat.com). “Wrap-n-mat” is a reusable sandwich wrap made of fabric on the outside, and a washable (BPA free) plastic liner on the inside with Velcro closures. It's a perfect solution to keep your child's sandwich fresh, but also makes a nice little place mat when they eat. Think of all the money you’ll save not purchasing truckloads of plastic bags that will just sit in a landfill after only a few hours’ use.

Wrap-n-mat

Wrap-n-mats come in many different darling exterior fabrics, and also have the 'wrap-n-mat pouch' option for snack items, which I just purchased myself, having been so fond of the sandwich 'wrap-n-mat'.

There's also the option to purchase 'Made in China' or 'Made in USA' designs.

The standard 'Wrap-n-mat' which is USA made is $7.99 and the one made in China is $7.50. The Snack Pouch and the larger 'Grande Wrap-n-mat' made in the USA is $8.99 while the made in China option is $8.50. There are a couple of downsides though. First, they are not intended to be heated or to store hot foods. Second, 'Wrap-n-mat' products are not readily available outside of their Web site.

by Katie Comfort who is a mother of an 18 month old boy and a 4 year old girl and resides with her husband and menagerie of cats & dogs in Redwood City.