The Problem with Plastic

Before we get into the benefits of beeswax wrappers, let’s talk about plastic. It’s convenient and a big part of our everyday lives, helping keep our food dry, fresh, and clean. It’s a staple in kitchens worldwide. Unfortunately, half of the 300 million tons of plastic produced each year is used just once.

Single-use plastics are found in packaging, storage bags, straws, shopping bags, and more. Most of this plastic ends up in our oceans, while the rest in landfills takes 500 to 1,000 years to break down. Plus, plastic contains chemicals like BPA, found in 93% of people over six and in food and beverage can linings.

So, what’s the best way to reduce plastic waste? While recycling is an option, most facilities can only handle PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) or HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene). Unfortunately, most food packaging plastics don’t fall into these categories.

The best way to cut down on plastic use is to stop using it altogether. One way to do this is by making your own reusable beeswax food wraps to replace plastic cling wrap.

DIY Beeswax Food Wraps

In my book, Do-It-Yourself Garden Projects and Crafts, I offer several DIY projects for a natural home. I’m excited to share one of my favorites, beeswax wrappers, with you.

This project is simple and customizable. If you know a beekeeper and can get local beeswax, that’s great. If not, you can buy beeswax online. For this project, I used Pure Beeswax White Pellets.

Supplies
– 100% cotton fabric
– Beeswax pellets
– Pinking shears
– Aluminum cookie sheet
– Empty tin can
– Small saucepan
– Paintbrush (an inexpensive one that won’t be used for other projects)

Step 1:
Cut the cotton fabric to your desired size and trim the edges with pinking shears to prevent fraying.

Step 2:
Put the beeswax pellets in the tin can, starting with about a cup. Place the can in a saucepan with about three inches of water. Heat the water until the beeswax melts.

Step 3:
Use the paintbrush to apply a generous layer of wax to the fabric. The wax will start to harden as it cools—don’t worry, that’s normal. Only coat one side. Lay the next piece of fabric on top and repeat until all pieces are covered in wax.

Step 4:
Once coated, place the fabric pieces in a 225°F oven until the wax is evenly melted and soaked through. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and lift the fabric with tongs. Wave it in the air to cool, then hang it to set.

Step 5:
After the wraps have cooled, they’re ready to use. They’ll feel tacky at first but will mellow out quickly. The final product will have a grip without being super sticky. After each use, rinse them under warm water and wash with mild soap. Hang them to dry before the next use.

For more natural home and garden DIYs, check out my book, Do-It-Yourself Garden Projects and Crafts, available on Amazon.