The 9 Best Plastic Wrap Alternatives

Plastic wraps are practical. They keep your food fresh and are usually pretty cheap. But when you equate it to a possible 450 year decomposition time, isn’t it worth looking for a plastic wrap alternative?

Plastic was first brought about by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907 as a clever invention that could be mass-produced at low cost. Though often practical, plastic has wreaked havoc on the environment, polluting oceans, rivers, forests, and more. 

Plastic has become so widely used, particularly within the kitchen, that we buy our products or new utensils in it, and tend to wrap anything we bake or cook in it. In this article, we will cover some waste-free alternatives for plastic wrap, so you can avoid the this single-use plastic product.

1. Glass Jars

Finished your favorite pesto and got a small bit of food left you’d love to preserve? Simply pop it in the dishwasher and reuse it. You can also stock up on larger jar sizes from your local shop or buy things like a large jar of tahini or chickpeas to reuse once they are done.

2. Food Storage Containers

The great thing about these is you can find them in multiple sizes and materials. They are usually dishwasher safe. Simply pop your food in and add to the fridge.

3. Two Plates

Can’t seem to find a storage container? Simply place a plate over your dish or bowl to preserve your food for the next usage.

4. Oil Cloth

You can buy this reusable wrap alternative online or make it yourself. Simply place what you want to cover in a dish or bowl and add the wrap on top.

5. Wax Cloth

Beeswax or vegan wrap alternatives provide a versatile and moldable material to wrap whatever you choose.

What’s more: you can also make them yourself. Cut pieces of cotton cloth to size and spread with a mix of melted soy wax (3 cups per meter of cotton cloth) and jojoba/ grape seed oil (50ml per meter of cotton cloth). Bake in an oven for 5 mins at 150 degrees. Leave to drip dry before using.

6. Reusable Parchment Paper

Use this to wrap your sandwiches, and for your oven baking needs. Rinse to reuse.

Be aware that some parchment papers are stiffer than others, so look out for the one that’s right for you.

7. Fabric Bowl Covers

Like the oil cloth: simply slip these on top of your bowl or dish to cover your food for the next usage. If the cloth does not have a built-in elastic grip, you might have to tie these after!

8. Silicone Bowl Lids

Simply slip these on top of your bowl to preserve your food. Wash in dishwasher and use again.

9. Reusable Silicone Wrap

Very moldable and durable: reusable silicone wrap can be easily stretched and washed to use again.

Read on:

• Can You Recycle Plastic Bags? – Recycling Tips
• Plastic Pollution in the Ocean: What Can I Do About It?
• Plastic Packaging that Makes You Question Humanity

** Links to retailers marked with ** or underlined orange are partially partner links: If you buy here, you actively support Utopia.org, because we will receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.

Tags: Cooking Guide Waste