Alternative Food Storage

So what is a person to do? Well, for starters look at the single-use plastics in your life, specifically food storage and food wraps. How do you pack up leftovers or protect that sandwich from spilling all over your pack on your ski tour or hike? Typically most people us cling wrap, plastic wrap, cling film, shrink wrap, food wrap or what we more commonly know as ’Saran Wrap’ thanks to the good folks at Dow who invented it in 1949. Saran Wrap is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with other brands using low-density polyethylene (LDPE), sounds delicious right? 

Over the last decade or more the use of cotton infused with beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin has been gaining in popularity. Unlike traditional plastic wrap these wax wraps are a washable, reusable, and compostable alternative. This simple combination of ingredients (often organic) creates a malleable food wrap with natural antibacterial properties that can be used over and over.

Beeswax wraps are moldable with the heat fo your hands so they are easy to cover a bowl or container but you can also simply wrap them around produce, sandwiches, nuts, breads, snacks, cheese, veggies or virtually any other perishable food except for raw meets. These wraps also stick to themselves and provide a clean protective seal which actually keeps your food fresher longer.

Clean up after use is simple, wash your beeswax wraps in cool water with a mild dish soap and a sponge then leave them to air dry. That’s it. At the end of their natural life span you can cut them into strips and add then to your compost heap, or wrap them around pieces of kindling and use them as a natural fire starter.

Beeswax infused fabrics are not a new technology however, they’ve been around for centuries. The ancient Egyptians used beeswax and coniferous tree resins to preserve pharaohs such as King Tutankhamun which was over 3,000 years ago.

Some things to keep in mind with all wax based food wraps:
They are flammable so keep them away from any heat sources.
Don’t wash them in warm water.
Don’t use them with raw meat products.
Don’t put them in the microwave, oven, dishwasher, or washing machine.
Do not use on hot/warm foods.
Don’t wring them out. 

In this review, we’re going to look at six different manufacturers of beeswax wraps and one other alternative made from 100% silicone. Ok, let's dig in.

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Sizes and Price:
Small Wrap: 17.5 x 20cm / 7 x 8"  $6
Medium Wrap: 25 x 27.5cm / 10 x 11" $6.60
Large Wrap: 33 x 35cm / 13 x 14" $7.20
3 Small Wraps: $16
3 Medium Wraps: $18
3 Large Wraps: $19
Multi Pack: Includes One Small, One Medium, One Large $18
Bread Wrap: 43 x 58cm / 17 x 23"  $15
Baguette Wrap: 35.5 x 66cm / 14 x 26" $15

• 100% cotton, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin.

Bee’s Wraps was founded in 2012 by Vermonter Sarah Kaeck, she discovered a lost tradition which she made new again with creative and fun fabric designs and patterns. Bee’z Wraps also gives back to the community, supports bees and is on a mission to end plastic pollution. What’s most innovative with Bee’z Wraps is their string and button locks which help keep them closed. They’re not only innovative and a great idea but also beautiful.

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Sizes and Price:
3 Small Wraps: 7 x 8" $15
3 Medium Wraps: 10 x 11” $17
3 Large Wraps: 12 x 14" $19
3 Sandwich Bags Wraps: 8 x9” $25
Multi Pack: Includes One Small, One Medium, One Large $18

• Organic cotton, eco-friendly dyes, organic beeswax, coniferous tree resin, soy wax, organic jojoba oil. 

Etee Beeswax Wraps use organic cotton muslin with non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes, certified organic beeswax, coniferous tree resin, a touch of soy wax and organic jojoba oil. They also add in organic cinnamon and clove essential oils for a subtle but unique aroma. All of the dyes they use are non toxic and free of heavy metals, AZOs and formaldehyde which are commonly found in textile dyes. Hand Made in Toronto Canada, Ette Beeswax Wraps use less-busy solid colours for those who don’t want fancy patterns. They also offer stitched bags which are a convenient alternative to folding a bag shape from flat wraps.

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Sizes and Price:
Small Wrap:8 x 8” $7.50
Medium Wrap: 12 x 12” $8.95
Large Wrap: 12” x 15” $9.95
Extra-Large Wrap: 16” x 26” $15.95
Bread and Cheese Wrap: 
Multi-Pack: Includes 1 Small, 1 Medium, 1 Large $22.50 

• 100% cotton, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin

Z Wraps is a relative newcomer to the handcrafted beeswax wraps game but they already offer a huge selection of fabrics in signature designs and patterns. No matter what you need to keep fresh Z Wraps have a fun and unique wrap in several sizes to choose from.

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Sizes and Price:
3 Medium Wraps: 25 x 25cm / 10 x 10” $18
1 Giant Wrap: 31 x 61cm / 13 x 24” $18 
2 Large Wraps:  33 x 33cm / 13 x 13” $18 
6 Small Wraps: 18 x 18cm / 7 x 7” $18 
Variety packs of 3: Includes 1 Small, 1 Medium, 1 Large $18

• Hemp and organic cotton infused with beeswax, tree resin, jojoba oil

Abeego is an all natural beeswax wrap with every ingredient coming from the earth and also returning to it without a trace. They’ve been in business since 2008 in Victoria, Canada and have a zero waste policy. Abeego views waste as a resource and makes twist ties and fire starters with their excess fabrics. Their wraps are limited to one design so you better like it,… we do!

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Sizes and Price:
2 Large Wraps: 35 x 35cm $20
3 medium wraps: 25 x 25cm $20
4 small wraps: 20 x 20cm $20
Variety packs of 3: Includes 1 Small, 1 Medium, 1 Large $25

• 100% cotton, Canadian beeswax, tree resin, jojoba oil

Nature Bee Wraps is another Victoria Canada based company, this one was recently founded in 2018 and uses unique designs and patterns to make your kitchen a little more colourful and fun. All fo their wraps are designed and produced in Canada with Canadian beeswax so they are a true local company. Their wraps reportedly keep your food fresher for up to three times longer, eh!

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Sizes and Price:
Set of 3: Includes One Large 11x14”; One Medium 10x10”; One Small 6x9" $30
Medium Single 10x10” $12

• 100% Cotton, Canadian Beeswax, Tree Rosins, Jojoba Oil

Another Victoria based company, Goldilocks Wraps produce natural, handmade and eco-friendly alternatives to plastic wrap. The company’s goal is to help reduce single use plastics with a product that’s more practical and beautiful. They’re beeswax wraps are not only better for the environment, but also for your wallet by helping reduce unwanted food waste. While Goldilocks Wraps currently has a limited selection to choose from, they certainly know how to combine beauty and practicality.

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Sizes and Price:
Half Gallon Size: 10.25 x 8.5 x 1.5” $19.99
Stand-Up Size: 7 x 8.5 x 3.5” $19.99
Sandwich Size: 7 x 7.5 x 1” $11.99
Snack Size: 4.5 x 7.5 x 1” $9.99
Pocket Size: 3.25 x 4.75 x 1” $7.99

• Non-toxic
• Pinch-loc seal
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
• Endlessly reusable
• Write on it!

• 100% pure platinum silicone

While not a beeswax wrap, Stasher is an innovative plastic free alternative for food storage so we just couldn’t resist including them in this review. Made from 100% pure platinum silicone (which is made from natural silica) these reusable storage bags are non-toxic, reusable, durable, odourless, stain-resistant, hypoallergenic and BPA free. Silica also has a low chemical reactivity, high flexibility and is 100% recyclable. Silica lasts longer than plastic and stands up better against heat (up to 230C / 400F) and cold and has no open pores to harbour harmful bacteria.

Stasher’s patented Pinch-Loc Seal and compact design make them ideal for fruits and veggies or anything that may leak—unlike beeswax wraps.

With a reported 20 million plastic snack bags being thrown away ever day, Stasher has been on a mission since its founding in 2005 to reduce single-use plastics. They are also a member of 1% for the Planet and a Certified B Corporation.

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Most of the beeswax wraps in this review are essentially the same with some using a slightly different ingredient or some of these ingredients being organic. Other than this, however, it’s merely a difference in price and fabric patters so you really can’t go wrong unless you want to source a Canadian made wrap in which case you have several to choose from. The wraps in this review that stood out because of their innovative shape were the Bee’z Wraps which use their string and button locks to help keep them closed and Etee’s stitched bags which were ideal for sandwiches.

If you want to store food and produce which is more fragile or liquid in nature then Stashers would be better suited. They are not only more sturdy but also have a longer life span and seal tight to avoid any leaks and spills, not to mention you can also reheat food in them so they provide a considerable amount of versatility and convenience.

All of the beeswax wraps profiled and the Stasher silicone bags provide an environmentally sound alternative to single-use plastic wrap so no matter what you choose you’re on the right path to reducing waste and helping the environment in the long run.