Back to School 2025: Say Goodbye to Single-Use Plastic with Durbl

Back-to-school season brings fresh routines — and fresh challenges. Between packing snacks, organizing school supplies, and keeping things tidy in your child’s backpack, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before 8 a.m. You want to make mornings easier. You want to send your kids off with healthy snacks and clean supplies. You want less waste, less clutter, and more confidence. That’s where Durbl’s Starter Set comes in. These durable, reusable silicone bags are a small shift that can simplify your school mornings in big ways — all while helping your kids stay organized and start learning sustainable habits early on. One Set, Many Uses — For Food & Beyond The Durbl Starter Set includes five BPA-free, food-safe silicone bags in a variety of sizes: 1. Snack Bags (2x) Perfect for: • Pretzels, fruit slices, crackers, trail mix • Yogurt or dip (they’re leak-resistant!) • Small, easy-to-open size for little hands 2. Sandwich Bags (2x) Best for: • Flat snacks like granola bars, tortillas, fruit leather • Organizing non-food items: crayons, pencils, wipes, masks • Keeping the backpack tidy and clutter-free Note: These bags are flat by design — for bulkier snacks like sandwiches or muffins, we recommend the Half Gallon Bag or Fold-up Containers for more room and structure. 3. Half Gallon Bag (1x) Great for: • Packing full lunches • Storing a spare outfit, wet wipes, or accident-ready items • Weekend field trips or after-school sports Empower Independence & Build Sustainable Habits With Durbl, kids can: • Pack their own snacks and supplies • Sort their things by type or color • Learn to reduce waste and take care of their belongings And for parents? • Less plastic • Less cleanup • Less stress It’s a simple, repeatable system — and a great first step toward a more organized school year. What Parents Are Saying “These bags changed how we pack for school. My daughter puts her snacks in her own bag now and even remembers to bring it home and rinse it out. She loves the colors and I love not buying boxes of plastic bags anymore.”— Danielle M., Illinois Small Change. Real Impact. Every snack packed in a Durbl bag is one less piece of plastic in the trash. Every organized backpack is one less stressful morning.This school year, give your kids something more than just lunch. Give them a head start on good habits. It all starts with one bag.

New semester, new routine — and let’s be honest, mornings can feel like chaos. You’re rushing to get everyone ready, find missing notebooks, and pack lunch before the school bell rings. That’s where one simple system can make a big difference. With just four sizes of the Durbl Fold-up Containers (400ml, 600ml, 900ml, 1200ml), you can plan and pack a full week of nutritious, no-waste lunches that are easy for kids to carry and even easier for parents to prep. Let’s break it down — five school days, five easy lunch ideas, and zero single-use plastic. Monday Start the week light and colorful Mini veggie cheese wraps (600ml)Whole wheat tortillas filled with sautéed peppers and shredded mozzarella, pan-toasted and sliced. Carrot sticks & amp; corn chips (400ml)Crunchy, dippable, and snackable. Tip: Durbl containers are non-divided. To separate sauces or snacks, use paper cups, silicone dividers, or condiment jars inside. Tuesday Leftovers, reimagined Fried rice with eggs & peas (900ml)Use last night’s rice, add scrambled eggs, diced carrots, and green peas — all in one hearty box. Apple slices + crushed almonds (400ml)Soak apples in lemon water to keep fresh; top with chopped nuts. Make extra and split into two containers if your child prefers lighter portions. Wednesday Midweek power salad day Quinoa veggie salad (1200ml) Layers of cooked quinoa, corn, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and grilled chicken. Dress with olive oil + lemon juice before sealing. Bonus: Small sauce jars fit snugly inside. Durbl containers are leak-resistant for wet dressings too. Thursday Snack-style, lunch-worthy Cheesy bean tortilla bites (600ml)Tortillas filled with black beans and shredded cheese, baked until crisp and sliced into triangles. Mandarin orange segments (400ml)Pre-peeled and packed, easy to grab and go. All containers are fridge- and freezer-safe, great for cold items and yogurt-based snacks. Friday End on a high note with kid-favorite flavors Pizza rice bowl (900ml)Stir cooked rice with tomato sauce, top with cheese, pepperoni slices, and veggies — bake 8 minutes, cool and pack. Strawberries + yogurt (in separate jar) (400ml)Pair with a spoon for a sweet finish. Durbl Packing Tips No dividers = more space, more freedom. Use internal paper cups or liners for texture separation if needed. Folds down after eating — saves backpack space. Food-grade silicone, leak-resistant, dishwasher & microwave safe. Color-coded organization: Use different sizes/colors for mains, sides, and snacks — kids learn to pack independently too. One Container. Real Change. Sustainable living doesn’t need to be complicated. A reusable container helps reduce waste, build habits, and teach responsibility. This semester, pack more than just lunch.Pack good habits with Durbl.

That pot of warm chili still steaming on the stove—should you let it cool completely before putting it in the fridge? The answer may surprise you—and it matters more than you think. A Common Kitchen Habit That Deserves a Second Look After dinner, there's a bit of leftover mac and cheese or chicken stew still warm in the pot. Maybe you’ve been told, “Let it cool first—it’ll spoil if you put it in the fridge hot.” This advice is incredibly common—but also scientifically outdated. In fact, food safety experts now recommend the opposite: refrigerating hot food properly and promptly is actually the safest approach. Why Waiting Can Do More Harm Than Good Many people hesitate to refrigerate hot food out of two concerns:First, that it might “damage the fridge” or overwork the compressor.Second, that it could raise the temperature inside the fridge and spoil other items, like dairy or leftovers. These concerns stem from older appliance limitations and well-meaning family traditions—but today, they can do more harm than good. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), food kept between 40°F and 140°F (4°C to 60°C)—the so-called “Danger Zone”—allows bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli to grow rapidly.Leaving cooked food at room temperature for more than two hours (or one hour if above 90°F) significantly increases the risk of foodborne illness. As food safety advisor Meredith Carothers (USDA FSIS) told Simply Recipes: “Waiting for food to fully cool before refrigeration can significantly raise the risk of bacterial contamination.” In short, the danger isn’t putting food in the fridge too soon—it’s waiting too long. Yes, You Can Put Hot Food in the Fridge—If You Do It Right Modern refrigerators are built to handle small amounts of hot food without issue, especially when you use the right method. The key is not whether the food is warm—it’s how you cool and store it. To refrigerate hot food safely: Portion it out into shallow containers or food-safe silicone bags to help it cool quickly. Let it steam off briefly (about 5–10 minutes), but don’t wait for it to cool completely. Leave the lid slightly ajar at first to allow excess moisture to escape. Place it in the fridge with space around it for air circulation. By using these simple practices, you help the food move quickly out of the “Danger Zone” and into safe storage conditions—preserving freshness and protecting health. The Right Tools Make All the Difference At Durbl, we believe storing food safely shouldn’t be complicated or wasteful. That’s why our platinum-grade silicone storage bags are designed to support modern food safety habits without compromising sustainability. Here’s how Durbl bags are built for hot food storage: Heat resistant (-40°C to 230°C / -40°F to 446°F) — perfect for chili, roasted veggies, meat sauce, and more Flat-bottom design for quick cooling — bags stand upright or lay flat to spread heat evenly Multiple sizes (Quart, Half Gallon, Gallon) — great for portioning leftovers Easy seal with optional venting — allows steam to escape before sealing tight Reusable & dishwasher safe — better for the planet, better for your wallet Cooked a batch of pasta Bolognese?Divide it into a few Durbl Half Gallon bags, let it sit open for a few minutes, then pop them in the fridge. Your sauce cools fast, your fridge stays efficient, and your next meal is just a warm-up away. Safe Storage Is Also a Sustainable Choice Refrigerating hot food the right way isn’t just a smart move for your health—it’s also a step toward a more sustainable kitchen. By switching from disposable plastic to long-lasting, non-toxic silicone, you're helping reduce waste and minimize the environmental footprint of everyday habits. And when you combine safe food storage with reusable containers, you’re not just protecting leftovers—you’re protecting what matters. Can hot food go directly into the fridge?Yes—and in most cases, it should. Outdated food myths can put your health at risk. With the right storage habits and the right tools, like Durbl bags, you can confidently preserve meals without compromising safety or sustainability. Your fridge can handle it. So can your food.And with Durbl, your kitchen just got a whole lot smarter.