PlanetBox - Alternative to Plastic

Yes. Our high quality 18/8 (300 SS) and 18/0 (400 SS, not 200 SS) stainless steel is food safe and will not leach toxic chemicals when in contact with food. These types of stainless steel have been used for food storage in many cultures for generations, and are preferred materials for hospitals, commercial kitchens, and other environments where sanitation is a priority.

Is PlanetBox recyclable?

Stainless steel is 100% recyclable, meaning less waste in our landfills. Most stainless steel is also made of approximately 60% recycled content. Your PlanetBox is made to last a very long time, so we don’t anticipate that you would need to recycle it at any time soon. You can contact your local recycling program about how to recycle your PlanetBox, or you can send your PlanetBox back to us when you are done with it and we will make sure it gets recycled. Email us at info@PlanetBox.com and we will send you instructions.

What material are the magnets made out of?

We went to great lengths to ensure that our magnets would not be made out of PVC/vinyl, which is the most toxic kind of plastic produced and is the standard for most refrigerator magnets. Instead, we made the magnets out of a synthetic rubber material that has been certified to be free of toxic materials and is accepted as safe for use in European markets (which have much stricter environmental health regulations than the USA).

I have heard about lead in lunch bags - are all your products safe from lead?

YES! Our products are independently certified to be safe from lead, phthalates, and BPA. We source our materials very carefully, and the very reason we created our products was to offer a non-toxic way to carry our children's lunches to school.

Will PlanetBox hold enough food for my child?

PlanetBox is designed around general nutritional standards for children. It will accommodate a wide assortment of foods that make a very healthy lunch for most kids. Many parents find that they can pack more food than they orginally thought. This is because the top of the PlanetBox is raised, so you can pack the bottom compartment high with food. Many parents also find that using a PlanetBox helps them not pack too much food for their kids - so no food gets wasted, and kids aren't being served more calories than they need. Here's a quote from one woman who wrote recently on our Facebook Page: "My nine year old is a BIG kid and a BIG eater... his PlanetBox holds plenty for him for a school lunch.. and the big dipper is used for his afternoon snack" If you find that your child needs more food, you can supplement with the big dipper or a small thermos. While PlanetBox is designed to fit most kids, every child has their own unique preferences and needs.

Will PlanetBox hold too much food for my child?

If you have a child who barely eats anything at school and are concerned that PlanetBox will be too big for them, here are 2 things to note: 1) You don't have to pack each compartment full with food - sometimes just a few grapes or cheese cubes is all that they need, and 2) Many parents find that their child will actually eat more food at lunch when its packed in a PlanetBox. This is because the food is arranged neatly and attractively in front of them, and they don't have to waste their time struggling with individual containers.

Can adults use PlanetBox?

YES! Many adults successfully use PlanetBox, and love it! While it probably will not work as a typical "hungry man lunch", many adults find that it works great for them. In fact, many adults find that they pack themselves a healthier lunch when they pack it in a PlanetBox. It encourages them to make sure to pack a fruit and veggie, and not over pack for lunch.

How do the magnets stick to the stainless steel? Magnets don't stick to my stainless steel refrigerator...

Even though magnets do not stick to all stainless steel surfaces, all stainless steels will have some small degree of ferromagnetism (magnets stick to them). The degree to which they do depends on nickel content as relates to the other materials in the alloy. We have chosen 300 series stainless steel for the tray of our lunchbox and 400 series for the lid. The 400 series has slightly less nickel content which makes it better suited to holding the magnets. 400 series is somewhat hard to work with though so it is not well suited to the lower tray of the PlanetBox assembly because of the deep pockets we form in the sheet material. For the tray we use the 300 series material which has very good workability properties. Both materials are highly corrosion resistant and completely food safe.

Is the PlanetBox heavy to carry? How big is it?

PlanetBox is lighter than it looks. It weighs 19 oz – less than most Harry Potter books! It measures 10 inches x 7.5 inches x 1.5 inches, making it smaller than a typical 3 ring binder. The approximate dimensions of the inside compartments are as follows, in inches: main: 4x4x1.5, long: 6x1.5x1.5, veggie: 2x3.5x1.5, fruit: 4x2x1.5, treat: 1.5x1.5x.5. The Big Dipper has a 4 inch diameter and is 1.5 inches high, and holds a volume of about 1 cup of food. The little dipper has a 2 inch diameter and is 1.5 inches high, and holds a volume of about 1/3 cups of food.

What size is the Carry Bag?

Our bag measures 11.5 by 9.5 by 2 inches. The "snack" pocket on the outside measures about 5 by 6 inches, and stretches to about 3 inches deep.

What size water bottle does the Carry Bag hold?

Our bags are designed to hold a bottle that is 3 inches in diameter or less. We do not recommend using bottles with a larger diameter than 3 inches. While we don't sell or officially endorse/recommend any particular bottles, here are links to ones that customers have found that work well with their Carry Bag:

10 or 16 oz bottles by EcoUsable:

Small bottles by Earthlust:

Small Bottles by Crocodile Creek:

Klean Kanteen - bottles and thermos - only the ones that are 3 inches or less - NOT the super wide ones:

Thermos brand water bottles for kids:

Can I put my PlanetBox or the Big and Little Dippers in the microwave?

No. You can never put metal in the microwave.

How do the Big and Little Dippers work?

The Big and Little Dippers are designed to hold wet, messy foods like yogurt, applesauce and dips. They contain a food grade silicone rubber seal in the lid to prevent leaking. When the Dippers are placed inside your PlanetBox the lid of the PlanetBox will seal the Dippers when latched closed. If you want to use the Dippers separately for snacks, you should either pack dry food in them or place a rubber band around them to engage the seal. The Dippers fit in the outside pocket of the PlanetBox Carry Bag so your child can have easy access to them for snack time. The silicone material used for the seal is a fully cured, synthetic rubber that is inert and stable at high temperatures. The silicone material is tested and certified to be free of lead, cadmium, mercury and a host of other toxic materials. The seals in the dippers are designed to come in and out - in order to ensure proper and thorough cleaning. We prefer this approach over attaching the seals with an adhesive as food could eventually get stuck under the seal and be difficult to properly clean. You can remove them when cleaning, and put them back into place once they are clean and dry. If you lose a seal you can order a replacement through our website.

Will food packed inside the PlanetBox spill or drip into another compartment or out the sides when it is carried and stored on its side? What about packing fruits that might release some juice?

PlanetBox is designed to keep foods from "touching each other." When you close your PlanetBox the top and the bottom meet so that foods will not co-mingle, even when carried and stored on its side. The seal on the PlanetBox itself is not designed to hold wet, messy foods like yogurt, dips and applesauce. We created the Big and Little Dippers as an additional option for parents to use for these foods. They have a silicone rubber seal that engages when placed inside the PlanetBox and will create a tight seal.

When packing fruits, the majority of fruits work just fine packed directly in your PlanetBox. In our months of testing we have found that most cut up fruits will not create enough juice for there to be any spilling. However, some fruits can be rather juicy - especially melons and citrus. We have found that if you cut and pack these fruits the night before, they can create a lot of juice that can leak if put directly in the PlanetBox. Therefore, we recommend either cutting and packing these fruits in the morning (they make a lot less juice that way). Or you can blot the fruit in the morning with a towel to absorb the extra juice. You can also pack them in the Big Dipper.

How can I keep my food cold?

Our Carry Bag is insulated, and includes a place for an ice pack. It can also help to pack food that needs to stay cold the night before and put the entire lunchbox in the refrigerator overnight - that way the stainless steel lunch box itself is cold at the start of the day. Add the dry foods in the morning and you are set to go.

Return to Questions

Is PlanetBox designed for children under 3 years old?

PlanetBox contains small parts and is not intended for children under 3 years of age.

What size sandwich does the "main" compartment hold?

The "main" compartment is designed to accommodate many different foods, including sandwiches. It measures about 4x4x1.5 inches. There are literally hundreds of different sizes of bread slices in the grocery stores, and personal preference dictates whether you cut off the crusts. But this size will accommodates many sandwich breads.

How do I clean my PlanetBox?

Your PlanetBox compartments wipe out easily with a sponge and mild soap and water, or you can put your PlanetBox in the dishwasher. Do not use bleach or cleaners containing chlorine to clean your PlanetBox. It is best to dry off your PlanetBox after cleaning.

Does PlanetBox hold hot foods?

PlanetBox is not designed to retain heat - it does not keep hot foods hot. You can place warm food (not boiling hot liquid) inside your PlanetBox in the morning, and it will be room temperature by lunch time. Also, some customers successfully use PlanetBox in their child's hot lunch line at school. They send an empty PlanetBox in the morning, and their child brings home their PlanetBox in the afternoon to wash - no trash created!

Does PlanetBox hold soup?

The Big and Little Dippers are designed to hold wet messy foods, which could include some thick creamy soups, but not broth/liquid based soups.

Can my child open and close the PlanetBox and Big and Little Dippers by themselves?

The latch on the PlanetBox lunchbox is designed for 3 year old hands and older to close and open by themselves. The Big and Little Dipper containers can be a little more challenging for little ones – most 3 and 4 year olds can do it, some cannot, but most preschool teachers are happy that they only need to help with one or 2 lids as opposed to many! Five year olds and older can remove the lids themselves.

Should I take the magnets off before I clean my PlanetBox?

Yes. It’s best to take off the magnets before cleaning your PlanetBox – try sticking them on the refrigerator until your PlanetBox is clean and ready to pack for the next day! And no worries, the magnets are optional so use them only when you wish.

How do I clean the Carry Bag?

You should wash your bag regularly by either spot cleaning or hand washing with soap and water. You can unzip the bag and fully submerge it in warm soapy water, but make sure to air dry thoroughly with the bag open. We do not treat our bags with stain resistant coatings, as those can be quite toxic. Scuffing, staining, and small tears are considered normal wear and tear by kids. Our bags are warrantied for 1 year. While we designed them to be a sturdy holder for your PlanetBox, they will not have as long of a life span as our stainless steel products, which are warrantied for 5 years. This reflects the differences between fabric and stainless steel.

Will my PlanetBox get scratched? Will it dent easily?

PlanetBox is made of polished steel that will show signs of use after years of faithful service. This is normal and safe. Use of 'brillo' pads or wire brushes will scratch the surface. As for getting dented, PlanetBox is made of strong, high quality stainless steel, not the thin tin that old-fashioned metal lunch boxes were made of. It is much more durable. That said, if you apply an excessive amount of force it may dent.

Why does your product cost what it does?

Most of us are used to the low cost of buying things made out of plastic and designed to be used and thrown away fairly quickly. Our product is different. We use a high quality, expensive material, and our products are intricately engineered to function well over time. All this costs more than the throw away items we are too used to consuming. We realize that this is a significant investment for many families As you know, this is something that you and your child can use every weekday for years to come. It is a high quality product that is not cheap to produce. Our sincere hope is that people will find the investment was worth it for their family.

Even though PlanetBox might cost more up front, will it save me money in the long term?

Yes! By replacing wasteful, single use plastic and paper containers, you will save money over the lifetime of the product. Also, your PlanetBox allows you to buy food in bulk, which is cheaper and less wasteful than single use containers. For example, a 1 oz prepackaged bag of cheesy crackers costs 87 cents, but 1 oz of those exact same crackers taken from a 12 oz box costs 43 cents – half as much!

Can I pay by check?

Yes. You can choose "Pay by Check" in our Shopping Cart. Please make your check payable to "3rd Stone Design" (that's our official business name - please do not make it out to PlanetBox) and mail your check to: 2935 Kerner Blvd, Suite B, San Rafael, CA 94901. Please note that checks must be written for the appropriate amount in US Dollars, not foreign currency.

How much will shipping cost?

Shipping costs vary depending on what you are ordering and where you live. We charge what the US Post Office charges us to ship your package - we do not profit off of the shipping charges. Yes, shipping is expensive, but the rates are set by the Post Office, not us. For most packages we ship Priority Mail, which we have found to be the most reliable, expedient way to ship. Parcel Post is sometimes even more money than Priority for smaller packages. For larger packages we do ship Parcel Post to keep costs down. You can check out the shipping charges for your order in our shopping cart before you purchase and finalize your order.

Do you ship overseas?

Yes, we ship to a variety of countries, and we add new ones from time to time. You can see which countries we ship to on our shopping cart - you will see a drop down list of countries to choose from.

Can I pay in non-US funds?

No, all prices are in US Dollars only.

Return to Questions

Do you offer your products at a store near me?

We sell the full range of our products through our website, and currently a selection of our products are available through Pottery Barn Kids.

I am a retailer and I would like to stock your products. What should I do?

Please send us an email and we will keep your contact information and let you know when we start offering our products wholesale to a wide range of retailers.

Do you offer a discount for groups/multiple orders?

While we don't offer group discounts per se, you can save money on shipping costs if you are ordering more than 3 sets at a time. Our shipping rates are capped at $19.95 for shipping within the USA, so if you go in on an order with a bunch of other families then everyone pays less shipping.

Why the PlanetBox ColdPack?

Not only will the ColdPack keep food stored in a PlanetBox colder for longer, but it will also help keep children safer from food-borne illnesses. A recent study released in the journal Pediatrics showed that less than 2% of perishable items in children's lunches (ages 3 to 5) were found to be in a safe temperature range. The PlanetBox ColdPack, along with the insulated Carry Case, will help keep your food cold and child safe.

How to use the PlanetBox ColdPack?

Your ColdPack is designed to be frozen, and placed inside the Carry Bag to help keep your foods cool until lunchtime. You should freeze the ColdPack overnight before using – you can freeze the IcePack with or without the Sleeve. Remove the ColdPack from the Carry Bag as soon as it comes home so as to prevent excess moisture inside the Carry Bag. Wash the Sleeve intermittently to keep it clean – remove the IcePack and launder the Sleeve by hand or in your washing machine. Make sure to thoroughly dry the Sleeve before using again. Wipe clean the IcePack as needed.

How cold will it keep my foods, and for how long?

We have tested the ColdPack in combination with the PlanetBox lunchbox and Carry Bag on a typical school day. By pre-cooling the PlanetBox in the refrigerator overnight and then placing it inside the Carry Bag with the ColdPack in the mesh pocket of the Carry Bag in the morning, a substantial lowering of temperature can be maintained. The exact temperature maintained throughout the day will depend on the ambient temperature the PlanetBox is stored in for the morning, exposure to direct sunlight and opposed to shade, and the number of times the lunchbox is opened throughout the morning. In our tests, a consistent 40° F temperature was maintained inside the lunchbox while the exterior temperature was 75° F through the morning hours. 40° F is a safe temperature to store perishable foods, according to the USDA. If a significantly higher exterior (ambient) temperature is anticipated then we would suggest using two cold packs – one placed below the lunchbox and one placed above – to sandwich the PlanetBox in a blanket of cold throughout the morning. As reminder, the ColdPack can only maintain the cool for as long as it remains frozen. To truly keep perishable foods from spoiling for long periods a refrigerator should be used for storage.

Will the PlanetBox ColdPack puncture?

Although the ColdPack is designed to prevent easy puncturing, it is possible that it may tear with rough usage. The ColdPack is filled with purified water, so it is safe if by chance it is punctured. There are 8 small squares on the IcePack, so if one square is punctured, you can still use the IcePack as the other squares will remain unaffected. We recommend treating the ColdPack with extra care to prevent ripping and puncturing, especially when it is unfrozen.

What is your warranty for ColdPack?

Please inspect your ColdPack when you first receive it. We will only replace your ColdPack if there are any manufacturer defects within the first 15 days of use.

What is your Privacy Policy?

We may send you emails occasionally with important new information about our products. If you don't want to receive them, just let us know. For more information, click here: PlanetBox Privacy Policy.

Where are your products made?

Our products are designed by us, and made for us by long-standing manufacturing partners in China. When we started our company, we did an extensive search domestically in the USA for suppliers who could manufacture our product. We were unable to locate manufacturing partners within the USA who could meet our needs. The one domestic manufacturer that we found who was willing to partner with us would have charged us a rate that meant we would have to sell the PlanetBox for $300 a piece! We share many of our customer’s concerns about working conditions abroad, and we work to make sure that the suppliers we choose to partner with provide ethical treatment to their employees and the environment.

I've lost some of my PlanetBox magnets - can I get replacements?

Yes. You can order them from us through our website.

Can I return my PlanetBox if I do not like it?

Yes. We stand by every product we ship. If you are not pleased and excited by your new PlanetBox you can return your items for a refund or exchange within 30 days of receipt. Returned goods must be clean. Refunds will be credited in the same form as the original payment. Shipping and handling charges will not be refunded. Please email us at info@PlanetBox.com for a Return Authorization number. Returns will not be accepted without a return authorization.

Do you offer a warranty?

By taking care of your PlanetBox products, you can expect years of dependable service. 3rd Stone Design warrants all PlanetBox stainless steel products to be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of 5 years from the date of original purchase, and PlanetBox soft goods products to be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of 1 year from the date of original purchase. Any problem that is caused by abuse or negligence is not covered. Normal wear and color fading are not covered. 3rd Stone Design's sole obligation under this warranty and any implied warranty is limited to the repair or replacement, at 3rd Stone Design's option, of any component that fails to conform to this warranty.

Why do you only use the US Postal Service to ship your products?

According to an article by Green America (formerly Coop America) entitled "Green Your Shipping", "You can’t beat the US Postal Service (USPS ), which comes to your house daily, unlike other carriers, which have to make special trips to bring you a package. The USPS uses water-based inks for its stamps, and its Priority and Express envelopes and boxes have been Cradle-to-Cradle certified for meeting high environmental standards from manufacture to disposal. A third of all USPS deliveries are made on foot, and its delivery fleet includes electric, hybrid, and biodiesel vehicles. It has also been working to reduce energy use and incorporate green design elements in its buildings, and its employees are unionized.

FAQ

Materials/ Safety

How does it work

Care/ Cleaning

Cost

Retail/ Wholesale/ Group Discounts

PlanetBox ColdPack

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Is stainless steel a safe material for food?