Bento (Japanese Lunch Box)

Bento is a traditional Japanese lunchbox that typically contains a variety of different foods, such as rice, fish or meat, vegetables, pickles, and egg. We say traditional, but the bento culture continues to strive today, even making it to popular culture like movies! The food is usually arranged in a visually appealing manner and may be divided into small compartments within the lunchbox. Bento boxes can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, or metal, and may be reusable or disposable.

Bento meals as a sign of convenience and wastefulness

Other than the cute bento lunches we think about, there is a wasteful culture of convenience with bento meal boxes. You can see these bento lunches purchased from convenience stores, train stations, and other food vendors in Japan. While convenient and nutritious option for people who need a quick and portable meal on-the-go, they often come in single-use plastic boxes.

Reuse to the rescue

To address the waste, reusable bento boxes are being tested as an alternative to single-use plastic in different parts of Japan, like Re&Go from Okinawa Prefecture and REPACO from Shiga Prefecture.

Popularity is replace with Japanese traditional bento boxes has also seen interest, in particular the magewappa, which is considered high quality craftsmanship in Japan.