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Looking for the best alternatives to plastic wrap?
Whether you call it cling film or saran wrap, plastic wrap is one of those kitchen items it’s easy to turn to when covering leftovers or wrapping sandwiches.
It’s hard to avoid the fact it’s seriously useful stuff.
But plastic wrap just isn’t eco friendly. In fact, it’s almost impossible to recycle because it’s a complex plastic made up of chemicals & resins that are difficult to remove during the recycling process.
So most plastic wrap ends up in landfill, or oceans, where it takes hundreds of years to degrade or harms marine life.
Eco Plastic Wrap Alternatives
The good news is that switching to a more sustainable way to cover leftovers or investing in a reusable sandwich bag isn’t hard to do.
It also doesn’t need to cost the earth.
Below you’ll find 11 of the best alternatives to plastic wrap that are both useful and usually an eco friendlier choice.
11 Of The Best Alternatives To Plastic Wrap
1 – Beeswax Wraps
For a natural alternative to plastic wrap & cling film, try reusable Beeswax wraps.
Biodegradable & zero waste, simply use the warmth of your hands to soften the wrap & ‘mould’ it over a container or item of food.
Handy for fridge food storage or wrapping lunch box goodies, wraps usually come in a range of sizes.
2 – Silicone Stretch Lids
Easy to wash, durable & free of BPA, silicone stretch lids stretch easily over bowls, keeping food airtight & fresh.
This silicone lid set from Unwasted includes a range of versatile lids, arming you with a leak-proof cover for most kitchen container sizes.
Reusable, silicone stretch lids make a great eco alternative to plastic wrap, helping you to save money & avoid single plastic use.
3 – Silicone Food Storage Pouches
Silicone food pouches & containers make an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic wrap that offers lots of versatility.
Durable & easy to clean, silicone pouches are ideal for smaller items, whilst larger containers can be used to store or even serve meals or bulkier food. Also great for freezing.
4 – Stainless Steel Containers
If you’re looking for alternatives to plastic wrap for freezing, why not switch to stainless steel containers? Both durable & leak proof, stainless steel also doesn’t leach like plastic can.
From smaller pots for sauces & baby food to larger containers perfect for stews, stainless steel containers are available in a range of sizes.
5 – Glass Food Storage
Instead of covering food with plastic wrap, why not pop it in a seal able glass container like these from Ello?
Glass doesn’t leach chemicals in the way plastic can & these containers, with bamboo lids, avoids plastic altogether.
A practical, eco friendly alternative to plastic wrap.
6 – Reusable Fabric Bowl Covers
If you prefer the feel of natural fabrics or like the homemade look, why not try cotton bowl covers?
A practical alternative to foil & plastic wrap, these handmade cotton covers can be used to cover leftover food or even rising dough during bread making.
An elastic hem makes covering food quick & simple.
7 – Compostable Sandwich Bags
If you use plastic wrap to cover sandwiches for lunch, try switching to these compostable paper sandwich bags, from If You Care.
Made from the unbleached pulp of renewable, Scandinavian spruce trees, bags are chlorine free & suitable for snacks & sandwiches, including those with butter, mayonnaise or oil.
8 – Reusable Sandwich Bags
If you want to avoid single use sandwich bags (plastic or otherwise), reusable sandwich bags are an affordable & sustainable choice.
You can either use silicone pouches or reusable, sandwich bags made from cotton or other fabrics. These easy-open sandwich bags are a great option for kids.
9 – Eco Lunch Box
For a greener alternative to plastic wrap on your snacks & sandwiches, opt for a Japanese style Bento Box.
Bento boxes have handy compartments to separate your food & there are lots of options available.
If you want to ditch plastic, choose a stainless steel or eco bamboo lunch box.
10 – Cheesecloth
Cheesecloth is commonly used to make homemade cheese or nut milks, but you can also use it to cover food.
Natural, unbleached cheesecloth is made from cotton & you can drape it over ribs or burgers to keep them safe from contamination. Remember to wash after use.
You can also use cheesecloth to wraps citrus fruits or bundle herbs.
11 – Recycle Or Use What You Have
If you don’t want to invest in anything new, you can always keep things simple & cover food with a plate.
A dinner or side plate will often sit perfectly well over a bowl, as an alternative to plastic wrap.
You could also recycle used screw top glass jars or takeaway containers.
Alternatives To Plastic Wrap: Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for alternatives to plastic wrap for leftovers & sandwiches or substitutes for plastic wrap for freezing, ditching single use plastic wrap, for greener options, helps reduce plastic waste.
From natural beeswax wraps to reusable bowl covers, there are lots of practical & affordable options to choose from that are compostable, reusable or simply more eco friendly than plastic wrap or foil.
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