Lunch boxes and bottles for on-the-go use

The lunch box: Japanese origins and the bento

The tradition of lunch boxes dates back several centuries and can be traced back to various cultures around the world. In Japan, as early as the 12th century, the bento served as a portable meal: dried rice and simple foods were transported in lacquered wooden boxes. This concept gradually evolved into a culinary art, with balanced, visually pleasing and carefully compartmentalised meals.

In the West, it was during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century that lunch boxes became widespread. Workers, required to eat at their workplace, used sturdy metal boxes to carry their lunch. In the 1950s, the lunch box became a popular item in the United States, especially among schoolchildren, with models decorated with cartoon or film characters. Over time, it became mainstream and is now used in many contexts: at school, at work, on outings or for picnics. It represents a desire to better manage one’s diet in a way that is also more economical and environmentally friendly.

Lunch boxes and bottles: eco-friendly containers on the rise

In the face of the climate crisis and growing awareness of the problem of plastic waste, lunch boxes and bottles have become sustainable alternatives to disposable packaging. Once seen as simple, practical accessories, these reusable containers are now part of an eco-conscious lifestyle. The materials have evolved significantly: today we see lunch boxes made from stainless steel, reinforced glass or BPA-free plastic, designed to last and reduce environmental impact. Bottles, meanwhile, replace single-use plastic water bottles, reducing pollution and long-term costs.

Daily use of these containers – especially at school or work – significantly reduces waste production. This trend often goes hand in hand with the desire to consume more mindfully, echoing the evolution of the bento in Japan: cooking at home, choosing local products and avoiding waste.

Eco-friendly lunch boxes and bottles are not just objects or gifts: they are concrete symbols of a more responsible lifestyle. Their growing popularity shows that ecology and practicality can go hand in hand, and that small everyday actions can have a real large-scale impact.

Personalised lunch boxes and bottles: the perfect gift for your loved ones

Personalising lunch boxes and bottles plays a key role in encouraging their regular use, particularly among children and working adults. For pupils, having a lunch box or bottle in their own style – with their name, bright colours or favourite characters – turns a simple utility item into a fun and valued accessory. It increases their desire to use it daily, reduces the risk of loss or mix-ups, and encourages responsibility for their belongings.

In the workplace, personalisation also allows people to express their style or values: a bottle with an eco-friendly slogan or a minimalist lunch box can reflect personal identity or commitment. Giving a personalised lunch box or bottle has therefore become a trendy, useful and thoughtful gift. At Amikado, this is supported by a wide range of personalisation options (laser engraving, UV colour printing, sublimation, etc.), helping to strengthen the emotional bond with these everyday items.

Personalising a bottle or a lunch box is not just about aesthetics: it encourages ownership, regular use and fits perfectly into a sustainable approach where each object has its place, its story and its dedicated user.