Halfway through plastic free July, how are you going?
I’ve been trying to make small changes for a while. I think I’ve become so used to using single-use plastics, that I don’t always notice when I do anymore.
But a couple of months ago I made a BIG change. I ditched cling film, which of course can’t be recycled so when it comes to single-use plastics, its one of the worst; as it just goes to landfill and sits there for decades (centuries maybe?).
Instead, I’m using beeswax wraps.
A big thanks to my friend Adele who treated me to a set of 3 from The Kitchen Garden at Ty-Mawr.
How are beeswax wraps made?
Each manufacturer will have their own methods but the premise is simple. It’s fabric that is coated in beeswax and then a carrier oil such as jojoba to soften them up a bit.
How do beeswax wraps work?
Just like cling film, only less fiddly. You use the heat from your hands to wrap or mould the wraps around the object you wish to preserve. Within seconds it will cool, Harden and hold its seal.
Beeswax wraps can be washed and reused again and again. Make sure that you wash them in COLD or very lukewarm water though as hot water may melt the wax.
Is it hygienic?
YES. Probably more so than cling film. Beeswax is anti-bacterial so it’s perfect to wrap your food in. So long as you make sure you wash them properly after use and let them dry, you’re pretty much good to go.
Other benefits of Beeswax wraps (aside from helping the planet)
- They don’t tear when you’re trying to wrap your sandwiches
- They smell divine when you first take a new batch out of the packet
- They wrap things PROPERLY. By that I mean if you’re trying to wrap a wrap, they keep it tightly in place.
- At the end of their lifecycle, they can be composted
Beeswax wraps come in a variety of sizes, from small which is ideal for wrapping lemons or avocados to extra large which will cover a large dish.
I’m trying to get a direct link for the lovely ones from the garden kitchen but in the meantime, there are a range of wraps on Amazon.
I have never heard of this before but it sounds brilliant. I am trying to move away from plastic too
I have to admit I’ve never heard of anything like this before, but what an interesting idea. I may have to get some to try out!
I have those stretchy plastic tops which I use instead of cling film as they’re reuseable and I absolutely hate using cling film x
These sound great – I hadn’t heard of them before but might have to get some instead of cling film
Surprisingly I’ve not heard or used beewax wraps before. Thank you for sharing about this. I would love to know more and use this as its environmentally friendly as well.
I have never heard about beeswax wrap, but it is definitely something that I would like to give it a try!
I’m just about to get my first lot of these – looking forward to it, proper excited, especially reading your opinion!
I love Beeswax Wraps! I work with so much food they’re the perfect solution for me to help reduce my consumption of single use plastic.
Oh, mu goodness. These sound amazing! I definitely want to try some of them 🙂
Louise x
Well done you for making the move away from plastics, these should a useful produce to help with that x