FAQs

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Customer Feedback

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We welcome feedback on our products and services. Fill in our feedback survey or get in touch using our form.

Food Safety

+ Do RePlated containers contain BPA? Are they food safe?

Our products are completely food safe and do not contain BPA. Our products have used certified food-grade plastic.

+ Is it okay to take these containers to takeaways? Do food vendors accept them? What if they say no?

In Australia, outside of Queensland, you can bring your own containers (including ours) to takeaway. Some states, like NSW, say the only objection a food vendor can make is on the grounds of cleanliness. So be sure to keep your container clean.

If they say no, that's their decision as a business and not a matter of legislation.

We try to help you avoid awkward conversations. When you buy our containers, we make sure all your local favourites are onboard. We let them know you are planning to come and we provide you with a map. The map details which outlets are onboard and which ones offer a discount.

+ What can I put in a rePlated mealbox?

Our 1-litre containers to fit most meals and they have a 750ml line for regular takeaway serving sizes.

It works well for:

  • Hot food (stir fry, curry, roasts, hot breakfasts, noodles)
  • Salads
  • Poke bowls
  • Sandwiches of all shapes and sizes, but not foot long subs
  • Burgers - 6cm is the height of our box & lid, if you can find a burger bigger than that you can get your mouth around, then please, please send us a picture
  • Sushi - When we see pre-made sushi in plastic makes us want to cry. So we made sure you can fit in a large tray of sushi with plenty of room for ginger and wasabi

+ What can't I put in the lunchbox?

The container can hold warm and hot food but we don’t recommend putting soups or boiling water inside.

Lifecycle

+ What happens to rePlated mealbox at the end of their life?

When your reusable takeaway food container is too knackered to use, you can return them to us for recycling (again!). We turn them into flake which can be reused in our next generation of products. Once they reach the maximum amount of times they can be recycled they will be diverted into roads or one of the other end of life solutions available to us; giving them a happy new home. This cycle cannot be repeated indefinitetly, so when we get towards the end of that life there are other uses we will deploy the plastic to that keep it out of landfill. While they are recyclable, they cannot be put in kurbside recycling currently - in fact very little other than clear single-use can be - and our product stewardship is in its infancy.

+ How long do rePlated mealboxes last?

We have road tested them over 250 washes in a commercial dishwasher which means at least a few years of regular use. We believe they can last significantly longer than that.

+ Why are rePlated mealboxes made out of plastic? I thought plastic was bad for the environment?

Great question! Plastic can be a great material. It’s light, flexible and affordable. We believe the problem is that plastic gets thrown away when it should be reused. Ending single-use plastic and disposable culture is what we’re all about.

We spent months researching the best materials from a circular economy perspective. We could not find a 'bio' material that was recyclable and from recycled materials. Our recycled plastic means it’s durable, lasts at least 250 washes and stacks well in small places. You can use it to reheat food without a lid.

Although energy and water is still needed to re-process plastics into their recycled state it is significantly less than for first time plastics.

So much plastic gets used once and thrown away. Sadly it isn’t breaking down anytime soon (probably in a few hundred years). So, we strongly believe it’s much better to recycle and repurpose it into a new product that will last a long time. Each lunchbox saves plastic bottles from going into the ocean and is a certified Ocean Bound Plastic.

+ Are compostable products better than recycled plastic?

The short answer is no. Sure, compostable single-use is better than plastic single-use. But because there’s a lack of local composting, or coordinated collection, most compostables sadly go straight to landfill.

One independent study showed that it only takes 15 washes for a reusable food container made of virgin plastic to be better than a compostable from a full lifecycle perspective.

+ What is Ocean Bound Plastic?

According to our certifier, Ocean Bound Plastic is a plastic waste that is not collected correctly and is abandoned in the environment where it will be transported to the ocean either by rain, wind, tides, river flow, floods. Our raw material is certified and verifiable. Creating products from this source encourages cleanup of our waterways and wild spaces and contributes to fixing the enormous cost to the earth of single-use and the linear economy.

Product

+ How and where are your mealboxes made?

Our mealboxes are proudly 100% Australian designed and made on Sydney’s beautiful Northern Beaches. They are made from Certified Ocean Bound Plastic and are recycled.

+ Can we customise rePlated’s mealboxes?

The packaging on rePlated’s reusable takeaway containers can be co-branded at any quantity. If you would like to co-brand then please get in touch

+ How big are rePlated mealboxes?

Our containers are 1L with a fill line at 750ml. This mimics standard takeaway sizes. Their dimensions are 125mm x 197mm x 60mm. They stack well in tight spaces.

+ How do I decide how many lunchboxes to order for my business?

We have an online calculator that can help you do that. We can also help you answer this over email

+ Why does my box look different to the picture on the website?

We use 100% recycled plastic. The raw material is not clear like virgin plastic and has some imperfections. These are perfectly safe but can cause variations in colour in our final product. We work to minimise these.

Shipping

+ When will you ship my order?

Our products typically ship within 3 days of an order.

Washing

+ Can rePlated mealboxes be washed in a dishwasher?

You can wash a rePlated Mealbox in either a commercial or a domestic dishwasher on a standard cycle. If the lunchbox is heavily soiled we recommend soaking it first, rather than selecting a high temperature wash at home as these are long cycles. We always suggest eco for the environmental benefits if that is available.

Heating

+ Are rePlated mealbox microwave safe?

Yes, with the lid off you can put your mealbox in the microwave to reheat food. We recommend you stop and stir after each minute as microwaves tend to heat in patches. If you have the option, 80% power is best. We also strongly recommend using a cover but not securing our lid as it will create a vacuum.