5 Green Alternatives to Plastic Wrap

Do your part in helping the environment by choosing these sustainable options

Trying to go more eco-friendly at home? By opting for reusable rather than single-use products, you’ll be eliminating waste and being kinder to the planet.

So toss out that plastic wrap for the last time and help reduce waste with these five greener alternatives…

1. Beeswax Wraps

Reusable, natural and compostable, beeswax wraps are a great alternative to traditional plastic wrap. There are many Canadian-made brands to choose from and all offer a variety of beautiful prints and patterns (we love the handpainted designs from Bee Kind). They’re easy to use: simply scrunch in your hands (the warmth will make them sticky), then seal the wrap to desired form. Beeswax wraps are also antibacterial and breathable, which keeps food fresh longer. To clean, rinse with cool water (those antibacterial properties mean you don’t need soap). After about a year or so when they are no longer sticky, wraps can be cut into strips and composted.

2. Glass Jars

Even if you don’t have a stash of Wide Mouth Masons up in your cupboards, jars are easy to come by. Once you’ve finished store-bought jams, jellies and pasta sauces, wash out the containers and store them for future use. With a variety of shapes and sizes, they are the perfect vessels to store leftovers and produce in the fridge. The best part? They can be thrown in the dishwasher and used over and over again.

3. Reusable Food Covers

Many kitchenware retailers now offer reusable seals for food storage. The Overmatt set from Ikea offers three sizes of brightly coloured silicone covers to accommodate fruit like lemons, oranges and grapefruits; and veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes and zucchini. They’re also great toppers for cups, glasses and jars. They fit snugly and are easy to clean—just hand wash with warm water and soap.

4. Glass Food Storage Containers

Glass containers with lids are a modern-day must-have. They’re great for stowing away leftovers and packing lunches—and if you take good care of them, they’ll last for years. This Glasslock set from Costco includes a variety of shapes and sizes, features an airtight silicone seal, and offers many benefits: each piece is made of tempered class, is stain- and odour-resistant, and is dishwasher-, oven- and microwave-safe (without the lid).

5. Silicone Bags

Single-use zipper-seal bags usually end up in the landfill, so switching to a reusable pouch is a smarter choice. Stasher (available at Chapters Indigo) makes the cutest storage sacks in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. All bags have a pinch seal to keep them airtight and leak-proof. They’re made of 100 percent pure food-grade silicone and perfect for packed lunches and snacks. The bonus? These bags are freezer-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

Did you know?

Foil can be reused! If it’s crumpled, just flatten it out and it’s good to go over and over again—wrap a potato, pack a pizza slice, cover your leftovers and more. If it tears, it can also be balled up and utilized as a scrubber.

Source: kitchen