Paper bags?

Quasar

I think securing the sandwich box with elastic band as suggested above is the best option. Even if foil can be recycled, it's still an ongoing expenditure. A sandwich box lasts for a very long time.

Sweet_Pea_2

I'm really Old Style here!
After me and OH got married his parents decided to remove all trace of him from their home (just in case he got any ideas about moving back in, LOL) Every time we went to visit we came back with a box containing his stuff, eventually they sorted out their loft too, and I just bunged it all up in our loft.
One day when I was having a clear out because we were moving I went through a lot of his boxes and discovered hundreds (and yes I really do mean hundreds) of paper bags, unused, and attached in the one corner by string. They are "Robertsons fruit fillings" bags and have a very unpolitically correct picture of a gollywog on the side holding up a jar of jam. When I questioned OH he said someone had given them to his parents and they had saved them for him and his sister because "they might be worth something one day" (V strange family, don't ask)
Just in case they might be worth something one day I did leave some bags in the box in the loft but have been using the rest ever since. We have been married now for 13 years and still have tons left.
Sorry this doesnt really help you in your search for paper bags, but maybe I could open up a shop selling them?

ashmit

Quasar wrote:

I think securing the sandwich box with elastic band as suggested above is the best option. Even if foil can be recycled, it's still an ongoing expenditure. A sandwich box lasts for a very long time.

Quasar, thanks for saying what I was trying to say very simply and in much fewer words

Yorkielass, I've found another link saying Oxfam shops don't collect foil any more, but can't find any mention either way on the Oxfam site.

I have friends in York still from when I used to live there so maybe I'll just stock up and bring it down every time I go to visit

anguk

Sweet_Pea wrote:

They are "Robertsons fruit fillings" bags and have a very unpolitically correct picture of a gollywog on the side holding up a jar of jam. When I questioned OH he said someone had given them to his parents and they had saved them for him and his sister because "they might be worth something one day" (V strange family, don't ask)

They may actually be right! I had a quick look on Ebay and ONE paper bag has recently sold for £2.03 :eek:

How many have you got left?

gravitytolls

I've used greaseproof, but I found it rather costly, mind you I do make 6 lots of lunches.

I've also used kitchen roll, but found it a littl eflimsy - maybe I should just splash out on some Bounty.

I've also used paper napkins, which weren't bad, and the children quite liked having a napkin in their lunch boxes.

But if it's actually a paper bag you're after, try a cash and carry, the only drawback being that they often ask you to show a business card or be vat registered before you can shop there. However, most people know someone who use a cash and carry, and would probably pick up some bags for you. Local newsagent maybe?

Curry_Queen

gravitytolls wrote:

I've used greaseproof, but I found it rather costly, mind you I do make 6 lots of lunches.

Do you buy it on a large catering sized roll or the little supermarket packs? I've just had a look at the box of one I've got and it's 15inch wide by 66ft long and cost me £1.50 at a local poundstretcher type shop and I've had it for months now, but then I don't have lots of packed lunches to make


I should imagine those with access to Makro/Costco type warehouses would be able to buy it cheaply too

gravitytolls

blimey 66ft eh? Yep I should be able to stretch that a little further.
I've only ever seen cling film and foil in the poundy shops round here, but I shall endeavour to locate greaseproof.

While we 're on the subject, When I make meringue, I put ti directly on greased baking sheet, but teh layer of oil tends to make is spread and lose it's shape (tho it's still yum).

When I tried greaseproof, it stuck to it. What's the difference between greawproof and non stick baking sheets? I know it should be self explanatory, but I always thought they were the same thing.

Quasar

Now this may not be of much help, but I eat lots of Shredded Wheat. As most of you know, these "biscuits" come wrapped in threes, and the paper is greaseproof. Neatly cut at the top it makes a nice little bag. If required, it can be cut to a sheet and then neatly wrapped around a sandwich.

Queenie

A really old fashioned way of keeping a sandwich fresh is to wrap it in a lettuce leaf, then wrap again in a cotton serviette. The lettuce could be eaten, the serviette would still be usable (and washable).

cath-w

For cheap re-usable sandwiches wrappers use the inside lining of cereal packs.

As we do not eat cereal I had a friend save some for me and so they cost me nothing. Remove the waxy bag and cut off the top and bottom and down the seam. You are now left with a flat sheet of waxy paper. Use it to wrap sandwiches in and then wash and dry after use. I have been doing this for years.