Keep Food Fresh and Plastic-Free With Eco-Friendly Beeswax Wraps

In an age of increasing awareness around sustainability and reducing plastic waste, eco-conscious consumers are seeking out alternatives to wasteful single-use plastics like sandwich bags and food wrap. One innovative solution that has been growing in popularity are reusable, biodegradable beeswax food wraps.

Beeswax wraps provide all the convenience of keeping food fresh and secure without the environmental impact of disposable plastics. They create an airtight, anti-bacterial seal to preserve produce, sandwiches, snacks, and more. And they are completely compostable at the end of their lifespan.

In this post, we will discuss the top 5 eco-friendly beeswax wraps on the market and provide tips on how to select the right one for your needs. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about how to use and care for beeswax wraps.

The Top 5 Eco-Friendly Beeswax Food Wraps

There are a growing number of options when it comes to beeswax wrap brands and products. Here are 5 of the best picks:

1. Bee’s Wrap – The Original Beeswax Food Wrap

Bee’s Wrap is the original brand that helped popularize beeswax food wraps. Based in Vermont and made in the USA, their wraps are crafted from organic cotton infused with sustainably sourced beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin.

The cotton gives the wraps strength and durability, while the beeswax coating creates a tacky, grippy surface that seals out air to keep food fresh. The addition of jojoba oil and tree resin enhance the antiseptic and antifungal properties.

Bee’s Wrap comes in a variety of colors and cute patterns like stripes, florals, and honeycomb. They offer wraps in multiple sizes perfect for covering bowls, produce, sandwiches, and other kitchen items.

As the original reusable food wrap, Bee’s Wrap is one of the most recognizable brands. While not the cheapest option, they are a high-quality product made ethically in the USA. The wraps get high marks for sticking well to containers and being easy to form around foods.

2. Abeego Reusable Beeswax Food Wrap Variety Pack

Abeego wraps are made from a proprietary hemp and organic cotton blend fabric coated in beeswax and tree resin. The fabric blend gives the wraps a textured, grippy surface that helps it really seal tightly to containers and itself when wrapped around foods.

Abeego is a Canadian company dedicated to eco-friendly food storage. Their variety pack is a great option to get started with beeswax wraps. It includes 3 sizes – small, medium, large. This allows you to test out which size you reach for most often when preparing lunches and snacks.

The wraps come in earthy, muted colors from non-toxic plant-based dyes. While not as stylish looking as some wraps, they are extremely functional when it comes to sealing in food. Abeego wraps can be composted after use. They cost more than basic single wraps but the variety pack offers value.

3. Bee’s Wrap It’s a Wrap! Kit

If you are new to beeswax wraps and wanting an all-in-one set, the Bee’s Wrap It’s a Wrap! Kit is a great starter option. It comes with a bundle of pre-cut wraps in an assortment of fun patterns, sizes, and shapes.

The kit includes:

• 5 medium rectangles
• 5 large rectangles
• 5 small squares
• 2 extra large sheets
• 3 half sheet strips

This encompasses all the options you’ll need to replace plastic wrap, bags, and storage containers in your kitchen. The half sheet strips are great for snacks on the go.

Everything fits neatly into an included cotton bag. The kit also comes with a booklet that contains tips, tricks, and FAQs to help you learn how to best use your wraps.

While one of the more expensive options upfront, this bundle lets you try the full range of what Bee’s Wrap offers to determine your favorites.

4. Humble Bees Cotton Beeswax Food Wraps

For a budget-friendly beeswax wrap option, Humble Bees makes quality cotton wraps at affordable prices. Made from GOTS certified organic cotton, they are free from dyes, bleach, and other toxins.

The wraps come in fun, minimalist patterns like stripes, dots, and solids. Styling is simple but functional. Available as single wraps or value sets, it’s a cost-effective way to try beeswax wrapping.

Since these wraps are pared down to focus on eco-friendly materials and functionality, they don’t offer as wide a size selection. But for everyday wrapping of lunches and leftovers, they get the job done.

Humble Bees wraps can be purchased individually or in multi-packs. They also sell just the cotton wraps without beeswax coating to DIY your waxing. It’s a smart way to dip your toe into beeswax without a big up-front investment.

5. Ever Eco Organic Cotton Beeswax Wrap Variety Pack

Ever Eco is a U.S. company that specializes in sustainable and plastic-free kitchen products. Their beeswax wraps are made from organic cotton infused with beeswax sourced from beekeepers across the country.

The wraps come in a variety 3-pack that includes sizes small, medium, large. They feature nature-inspired patterns like leaves and trees in muted blues, greys, and greens from eco-friendly plant dyes.

As a cruelty-free and vegan product made in the USA, Ever Eco hits all the marks for ethical and eco-conscious production. The wraps get good reviews for stickiness and sealing ability. The variety 3-pack is affordably priced, making it easy to try different wrapping sizes.

How to Choose the Right Beeswax Wrap

With those top picks in mind, here are some key factors to consider when choosing beeswax wraps for your needs:

• Intended uses – Determine the sizes and shapes you’ll need for typical uses like sandwiches, produce, bowl covers, etc. Variety packs allow you to have different options on hand.
• Materials – Look for wraps made from 100% cotton, ideally organic and certified non-toxic. Cotton holds up better than synthetics. Natural beeswax is ideal as well.
• Patterns & colors – Since these are reusable, opt for fun colors and prints you enjoy looking at. Just ensure any dyes are non-toxic.
• Value sets – For the best value, look for packs that contain multiple sizes and shapes. This allows you to find your favorites at a discount.
• Eco-friendly production – Consider wraps made from organic and sustainable materials as well as ethical manufacturing.
• Proper care – Make sure to understand how to wash and care for the wraps to maximize durability. Gentle hand washing in cool water is best.
• Storage – Look for cotton cover bags or sleeves to store wraps in between uses. This protects them and keeps them clean.

Getting a variety of shapes and sizes is ideal for replacing plastic in your kitchen. Test out which you reach for most and stock up on those essentials.

Beeswax Wrap FAQs

If you are new to using beeswax wraps, here are answers to some of the most common questions:

How do you prepare new beeswax wraps for first use?

It’s easy to condition new beeswax wraps before their first use. Simply lightly rub the wax between your hands for a minute or two until warmed up. This spreads the wax evenly across the fabric.

You can also carefully iron the wraps between two pieces of parchment paper on a low setting. Don’t overheat them. This extra step ensures you have full coverage of wax to maximize the seal and stickiness.

How do you wash and care for beeswax wraps?

Caring for beeswax wraps is simple:

• Hand wash them in cool water using a small amount of mild, eco-friendly soap only if needed
• Avoid hot water which can start to melt the wax
• Dry thoroughly with a towel and reshape the wrap
• Ensure wraps are completely dry before reusing
• Cotton storage bags help protect clean wraps in between uses

With proper care, beeswax wraps can easily be reused 100 times or more. The wax coating gives them a long lifespan compared to disposable plastic wrap.

How long do beeswax wraps last?

The longevity of beeswax wraps depends on usage and care. With gentle hand washing and avoiding high heat, they typically can be reused consistently for up to a year before needing to be re-waxed.

Signs that the wraps need re-waxing include reduced stickiness and inability to grip containers well. Placing used wraps in breathable cotton storage bags helps extend their lifespan between re-waxings.

Can you compost beeswax wraps when finished?

One of the most eco-friendly qualities of beeswax wraps is that they are fully compostable, unlike traditional plastic wrap.

When wraps have reached the end of their usable lifespan and need to be retired, they can be composted at home or through municipal composting programs. The beeswax, cotton, and resin will break down naturally.

How do you know when beeswax wraps need to be re-waxed?

It’s easy to tell when your trusty beeswax wraps need a refresh. Signs it’s time to re-wax include:

• Wrap is no longer as sticky and grippy against containers
• Food is slipping out under the wrap more easily
• The wax coating appears cracked or flaky
• Wrap is discolored and stained from use

When you notice these signs, simply re-wax by rubbing a block of beeswax over the fabric like you are coloring with a crayon. Reheat the wrap with a hairdryer to fully integrate the new wax.

Are beeswax wraps safe for raw meats and fish?

Yes, beeswax wraps are completely safe for wrapping raw proteins like meats, fish, and cheese. The natural antibacterial properties of the beeswax keep food fresh and safe.

For raw proteins, make sure you wrap the food very securely and tightly so liquid and moisture doesn’t leak. Be prompt about unwrapping and properly washing the wraps after use with raw meats.

An extra liner, like a reusable silicone bag or compostable paper, provides an additional protective layer between the food and wrap. But the wax coating makes the wraps safe against bacteria.

Do beeswax wraps replace plastic bags as well as plastic wrap?

Beeswax wraps are great for replacing cling wrap and covering bowls, plates, produce, etc. However, for applications like raw meat storage, bulk snacks, and sandwiches, reusable beeswax wraps work best when paired with compostable bags.

The wraps don’t fully enclose items the way a plastic bag does. Combining the two creates a protective, plastic-free system. Silicone bags are also reusable options.

For baked goods, lunches, fruits, vegetables, and cut cheeses, beeswax wraps alone do the trick. But items with more liquid, mess, or bulk work better with an additional compostable liner.

Keep Food Fresh and Plastic-Free

Beeswax food wraps provide an easy, attainable way to cut back on plastic waste in the kitchen. They offer the convenience of keeping food fresh and secure without the environmental downsides of disposable plastic wrap and bags.

With some handy tips on selecting the right size and style for your needs, beeswax wraps are a natural alternative that work just as well, if not better, than old plastic standbys. They seal fantastically, retain freshness, and stand up to repeated use over an extended lifespan. And when it’s finally time to retire them, they can be composted guilt-free.

We hope this overview of the top eco-friendly beeswax wraps along with usage tips gives you the confidence to give them a try. You may find yourself wondering how you ever lived without them! The world, and your lunch, will certainly be better off.