Start Smarter with the Durbl Starter Set

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.

Every new school year is a chance to start over — new books, new timetables, new goals. But here’s a simple question: Are we still packing school lunches, snacks, and fruit in disposable plastic bags? Real change doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes, it starts with a small choice — like switching to a reusable food container.At Durbl, we believe the back-to-school season is the perfect time for students and families to take one easy, meaningful step toward sustainability: say no to single-use plastic. How Bad Is the Plastic Problem at School? According to a 2024 report from Environment America, the average U.S. student generates 67 pounds of plastic waste per school year — mostly from disposable lunch items like plastic bags, cutlery, and wrappers. Across the country, that adds up to over 14,500 tons of school-related plastic waste every single day. Worse still, many of these plastics contain chemicals like styrene and BPA, which are linked to health risks in children. The good news? Students themselves are stepping up to lead change. In Texas, three fourth-graders at a public school led a successful campaign to ban Styrofoam trays — eliminating 22 million trays from landfills each year. Campus waste reduction is becoming a reality. Cutting back on plastic doesn’t have to be complicated. The best solution is one that’s easy, practical, and fits into a student’s daily routine. That’s exactly what Durbl is designed for.  Durbl: A Smarter, More Sustainable Way to Pack School Food Durbl offers a full lineup of food-grade, reusable silicone containers made to simplify school life — from breakfast prep to snack breaks, club lunches, and even dorm cooking. 1. Fold-up Containers (400 – 1200ml) ● Collapsible, lightweight, and space-saving● Safe for microwave, dishwasher, and freezer● Great for meal prep, lunches, or soups 2. Reusable Snack & Sandwich Bags ● Perfect for cookies, nuts, toast, or fruit slices● Washable, resealable, and built to last for hundreds of uses● A smart alternative to plastic zipper bags 3. Large-Capacity Solutions: Half-Gallon Bag+ Quart Bag (Flexible Add-on) Half-Gallon Bag Ideal for full lunch sets, sandwich trays, cut fruit, or family-style meals Leak-resistant, crushproof — perfect for field trips and outdoor days  Doubles as a fridge/freezer-safe container for home or dorm use Quart Bag Great for single meals like salad, noodles, or yogurt Compact size fits easily in school bags Also ideal for drinks (iced tea, fruit water) or dividing snacks Pro Tip: Use the Half-Gallon Bag for main meals, and the Quart Bag for drinks or extras — a low-waste combo that works all year long. Durbl Back-to-School Starter Sets Scenario Recommended Combo Daily lunch packing 900ml + 1200ml fold-up containers + Half-Gallon Bag (meal + fruit) Snack breaks Snack Bag + Sandwich Bag + Quart Bag (for nuts, cookies, fruit) Club/field trips Half-Gallon Bag (salads/shared food) + Quart Bag (drinks, extras) Dorm prep Multiple Quart Bags (for frozen meals, iced tea) + Fold-up Containers Sustainability Can Be Simple — and Student-Friendly Durbl products aren’t just reusable — they’re built to become part of a young person’s everyday rhythm.From backpacks to lockers, from lunchrooms to dorm rooms, one food-safe, durable container can make a lasting difference. Whether it’s a Quart Bag full of salad or a Half-Gallon Bag of watermelon slices for a class picnic — every small choice adds up to a future with less plastic.

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.