Today, we are going to talk about plastic wrap alternatives because food waste is a major problem.
By all accounts, we’re throwing away tons and tons (and tons!) of perfectly good food that could be feeding the entire population. Tossing out good food also wastes the resources to grow and produce it, transport it to stores and homes, and it wastes our hard-earned money to purchase it. Saving leftovers is important, but one of the most popular ways to keep them stored in the fridge – with plastic wrap – is problematic, as well.
Plastic wrap or cling film is in just about every household. It’s an old-fashioned go-to for covering leftovers and wrapping up food to take for lunch at work or on-the-go. It’s not often thought about as being bad: it’s such a regular, stand-by product in homes that people don’t think about it much at all, let alone its environmental impact, which is why we’re going to take about plastic wrap alternatives today.
Why Plastic Wrap Is Wasteful
It’s made from different plastics depending on the manufacturer, like the dreaded PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and all types are petroleum products that do not biodegrade. It’s single-use and is tossed away without a second thought.
These soft plastics don’t only clog up landfills but they’re extra hazardous for ocean health and marine
Terrible, right? Well, it gets worse. Plastic wrap can be dangerous for our health with regular use at home, too. Environmental proponents have long warned about the hazards of cling wrap. Heat combined with plastics allows chemicals to leech into food, as well. Health effects from plastic exposure has been linked to cancer and fertility issues. You may have heard about BPA (Bisphenol A) in regard to plastic water bottles. It’s a material used to manufacture many plastics and mimics estrogen in humans. It can also be found in some reusable plastic containers. Exposure is incremental but it adds up, especially when it’s frequently touching our food and used in the microwave.
Some problems are easy to solve. For example, removing micro plastic elements from your drinking water can be as easy as installing a
What are safe plastic wrap alternatives?
No, aluminum foil is not a better choice. When it comes to fossil fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, and toxicity to the ecosystem, aluminum foil is even worse than plastic. While aluminum foil is reusable, to some extent, it’s hardly worth it. Plus, it usually ends up in a landfill, too.
Same with ziplock bags and disposable plastic takeout containers. Sure you can attempt to wash and reuse them, but they still leach chemicals into your food and get throw into a landfill eventually.
If you are looking for safe plastic wrap alternatives that are eco-friendly, you should consider using an all-natural beeswax food wrap from Abeego that is reusable. These wraps come in several sizes and can be formed over a variety of dishes and sizes without needing water. Plus they can be used again and again for over a year if cared for properly.
They can be washed in cold water with biodegradable soap if they’ve touched food and oils; there is no cleaning required if the use was dry and
By using glass or ceramic bowls to hold leftovers, prepared food, and standby ingredients, along with all-natural, eco-loving plastic wrap alternatives like Abeego beeswax food wraps, you can save leftovers, reduce food waste, and protect you and your family from the health dangers of plastic wrap and plastic containers.
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