About Us
The Story of Meals in Steel
Looking back on our school years in India, we remember using metal containers for all our needs - from school bags to pencil boxes and lunch boxes. These metal boxes proved to be a sustainable system that stayed with us until the end of our school journey.
However, with the introduction of plastic, things started to change. Plastic was lighter, more attractive and seemed to provide more options, but at what cost? While it was cheaper, it constantly broke and had to be replaced every few years. Additionally, the environmental impact of plastic was not yet widely understood.
We knew we had to make a change. We wanted to provide products that were not only durable and sustainable, but also heeded the lessons of our past. That's why we decided to bring this concept to New Zealand, and Meals in Steel was born.
We believe that providing things that are recyclable, durable and sustainable is the way forward. Our mission is to do our part in protecting our land and marine environments by reducing plastic waste. With our earth-friendly lunch containers and accessories, we hope to encourage people to move beyond using plastics in many other parts of their lives.
Together, we can create a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations. Join us on this journey towards a greener tomorrow with Meals in Steel.
About Us
Meals in Steel is a proudly New Zealand owned and operated business that offers a diverse range of high-quality stainless steel lunch boxes and bottles, providing a sustainable alternative to plastic. Our sourcing philosophy is deeply ingrained in our values, and we only purchase or source products from suppliers who meet our rigorous criteria. We go the extra mile by personally visiting our suppliers to ensure that they follow Fair Trade and Environment Policies and adhere to our high standards.
As a 100% family-operated business, we are invested in the manufacturing and R&D process of our products. With our onshore and offshore operations and office, we are committed to providing and maintaining the quality of our products. We are dedicated to searching for quality products and fair wages, as well as safe and organic production techniques. Our suppliers not only meet but exceed our expectations, often making positive contributions to their communities by improving healthcare and reducing hazardous organic materials in the environment.
Our Values
At Meals in Steel, we take our values seriously, and they define who we are as a company. We uphold high governance standards and believe in treating workers well by following fair wage policies. Our work practices are grounded in environmental sustainability and ethical principles, and we strive to make a positive contribution to society. These values are reflected in every aspect of our business, from the products we source to the way we operate and interact with our customers and partners.
Our Mission
At Meals in Steel, we are committed to minimizing our impact on the planet by continuously exploring innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Our unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability is reflected in our product offerings, which serve as a viable and eco-friendly alternative to the world's most widely consumed material - single-use plastic.
We strongly believe that a healthy lifestyle goes hand in hand with a healthy planet. Our products are designed to help you make healthier choices, while also reducing your impact on the environment. So join us on our journey to a more sustainable future and start living healthier today!
Our Mantra
If you have stumbled upon our website, chances are you share our vision of making a positive impact on the environment through responsible consumption. At Meals in Steel, we prioritize eco-friendliness and strive to minimize our environmental footprint while improving the lives of those living in poverty. We carefully choose suppliers who share our values and are committed to creating a better future for all. We are constantly exploring innovative ways to enhance our products and services and contribute to a sustainable future for generations to come. Join us in our mission to create a better world for all.
Our Pricing
We understand the importance of making sustainable choices accessible to everyone, which is why we strive to keep our prices affordable. Our prices are in NZD and inclusive of GST, but exclusive of freight costs. We also welcome wholesale enquiries, as we believe in working together with businesses to make a positive impact on our planet.
Our Responsibility
At Meals in Steel, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and minimizing our impact on the environment. Our company operates with minimal energy, running on 4.5 kW solar panels. On sunny days, we are almost entirely off the grid. In addition, we use electric vehicles (EVs) that generate zero emissions, helping to keep New Zealand clean and green.
To further reduce our environmental impact, we use biodegradable courier bags and have implemented a system to reuse and recycle cardboard boxes. We believe that small steps can make a big difference and we are constantly looking for ways to improve our sustainability practices.
Why Meals in Steel
Our relationship with food is vital to our health and well-being, but it's not just what we eat that matters. The containers we use to make, store, and consume our food can pose serious risks to our health and the environment. Unfortunately, plastic and polystyrene containers are commonly used for carrying and storing food, even for hot or warm meals from takeaways and restaurants. These containers are known to leach harmful substances like BPA into our food and bodies, putting us at risk of serious health issues. To make matters worse, these materials are not biodegradable and can take up to 500 years to decompose, contributing to pollution and environmental damage. At Meals in Steel, we are committed to offering a safer and more sustainable alternative with our food-grade stainless steel lunch boxes and bottles.
We use bisphenol-A–free (BPA-free) water bottles and lunch boxes because we've heard the chemical can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. We're being safe, or so we think. Think again. It turns out that our BPA-free water bottle and lunch boxes could be just as toxic as our old BPA-rich Nalgene.
Items that are free of BPA often contain other chemicals that behave in much the same way – leaching into foods and drinks. After being absorbed by the body, the chemicals mimic the hormone estrogen, increasing the risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity, and reproductive problems. And it's not just BPA. In one recent study, phthalates, a compound found in plastics, were linked to a 20 percent reduction in male fertility.
Manufacturers' labels aren't worth much, either. In the largest and most comprehensive test of plastic products, researchers at the plastics-testing company examined 455 products and discovered that nearly all the items, including those marketed as BPA-free, leached chemicals that mimicked estrogen. We wouldn't call any plastic safe. "Some are just safer,"
Contribution to society
Meals in Steel takes great pride in giving back to the community by regularly donating our high-quality stainless steel products to schools and other organizations for fundraising events. We believe in the importance of supporting local communities and fostering a spirit of cooperation and generosity, and we are honored to play our part in making a positive difference in people's lives.
Public Contamination
Because polystyrene and plastic products are so common, many people assume they are safe, and that a government agency, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), would not allow a health-threatening product to be marketed to the public. But the EPA National Human Adipose Tissue Survey for 1986 identified styrene residues in 100% of all samples of human fat tissue taken in 1982 in the US. Styrene is used to make polystyrene plastic and is a contaminant in all polystyrene foam packages. But the migration of styrene is nothing new. It was first documented in 1972 and then again in 1976. (Source business Barbados, by Future Centre Trust. 6 July 2010)
Meals in steel offers a wide range of food grade, high-quality stainless steel lunch boxes and bottles and coffee mugs, which will keep your food safe.
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