Having the luxury of time to make your own food in the kitchen is great, but the culinary craft can often be a wasteful one. The average family uses 24 rolls of cling film every year, and cling wrap unfortunately is very rarely recycled.
Well, the year is 2022 and it’s time to ditch plastic for the sake of the environment. Here are some eco-friendly alternatives to cling film, whether you’re trying to cover a bowl of leftovers, wrap a sandwich and/or take it on the go!
Beeswax Wraps
With proper care and regular usage, beeswax wraps can last up to a year and even be re-waxed to be brought back to life. The best thing about the antimicrobial beeswax wraps is that they are breathable, unlike plastic, which can help your produce stay fresh for a little bit longer.
Available at Slowood
Silicone Wraps
A replacement for aluminium foil and baking paper as well, these silicone wraps are made of 100% pure silicone – a natural element found in sand and rock. Not only are they safe for the oven, microwave, fridge, and freezer, but you can even use them over and over for years to come. You do have to avoid sugar and syrups, but it’s a small price to pay for a plastic-free kitchen.
Available at Live Zero
Stasher Bags
Matte and, frankly, quite aesthetically pleasing, these pinch-loc sealed, non-toxic silicone stand-up bags from Stasher are dishwasher and microwave safe and reusable for the foreseeable future. They’re not just for food, either, and can be used for travel or beauty products too!
Available on the 8Shades Shop
Silicone Sandwich Box
With a leak-resistant lid, this food box from Lexngo is made of 100% BPA free, food-grade material, so you can bring it to the office to microwave and just chuck it in the dishwasher when you get home. You can even fold the box to half the size to save space.
Available at Live Zero
Stainless Steel Lunchbox
Honestly, this slim, stainless steel lunchbox is giving off an industrial, cyberpunk vibe that is very Hong Kong. Roll clips are there for leak-proof extra security, but once you get past the clips, there’s a removable compartment inside for those of us that don’t like to get our sides mixed up.
Available at Live Zero
Be resourceful!
And lastly, of course, there are always simple, resourceful tricks such as covering the container with a plate instead of cling film when microwaving food. It’s truly wonderful how easy it is to ditch the plastic for sustainable alternatives that actually look, feel, and perform better than their wasteful counterparts.
See also: How To Keep Microplastics Out Of Your Body
Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!
