Reducing plastics at home isn’t as hard as it might seem, there are many options that provide an easy substitute for those going zero waste, low waste or wanting to live a little greener.
Soft plastics, like cling wrap and plastic bags, are hazardous for our wildlife; they can become tangled in long pieces of plastic, and who can forget those images we see of marine life that mistake plastics for food.
Since we can’t seem to keep these things out of the ocean then we need to get them out of production and the only way that will happen is if people like you and me keep them out of our shopping trolleys!
So what can you use instead?
Let’s talk Beeswax Wraps!!
They are perfect for keeping ‘real food’ fresh, versatile, mouldable, strong and water resistant, they are re-usable, perfect for storing/covering/wrapping fruit, veg, garden produce, nuts, sandwiches, cheese, bread, crackers and fermented foods in your lunchbox, fridge or pantry. The ladies over at Madre Creationsare models of passionate plastic free living. They handmake their Beeswax Wraps in Maryborough, QLD, with Tinana beeswax and certified organic cotton in the most stylish designs. They smell divine and come in various sizes. You can check them out on Instagram and on Facebook.
I substituted cling wrap some years ago now- firstly I just started using reusable containers, or I put a plate over another plate to cover food. I was gifted my first set of Beeswax wraps and honestly have used them for anything and everything ever since. They’ve lasted me about 2 years (I have 4 in varying sizes), and my two most used ones are now starting to need replacing. I know they’re hip and down with the kids now, but this is the sort of thing your Great Nana (yep, super cool Great Nana) used to use before the invention of plastics. It’s amazing how quickly plastic took over our lives.
To care for your wraps
After each use wash your wraps in cold water with a mild detergent. To remove dried on food don’t pick it off, but leave the wrap to soak for a few minutes in cold water until the food is soft enough to wash away. After washing rinse, and lay somewhere flat, or drape over something to dry. Once dry, fold your wraps and store somewhere handy so they are ready to go next time you need them.
Wraps have a naturally pleasant smell of beeswax. Beeswax never goes bad itself, but overtime with use, the protective wax coating on your wrap will be worn away. When your Wrap has reached the end of its life you can dig a hole in your backyard and bury it – unlike plastic it will return to the earth without a trace.
Unfortunately unsustainable habits like plastic are so embedded in our lives that it is impossible to get rid of them overnight, but if we tackle a bit at a time, and follow the principles of conscious waste, then we’ll be able to help the planet in a huge way!
Little Foot 