Readers will recall that, when we surveyed in Shrivenham and local villages, a whopping 45% of all the main concerns which villagers voiced about their impact on the environment and climate change in their day-to-day life was their plastic use and packaging.
Sustainable Shrivenham is therefore picking a relevant item per month during 2021 on which to offer some information to hopefully encourage everyone to give a plastic-free version a try! There is invaluable feedback from contributors to our Facebook group (about some of the brands they have tried and tested) but we really want you to try products for yourselves, and if you can tell us what you think of them, so much the better! Plus, if you find one or more that you really like, for you to make a permanent switch and spread the word to your family and friends!
Food Wrappings
The use of plastic to wrap food products has happened in my lifetime (in the 1950’s), and has been the case throughout my children’s lives, but thankfully there are now some brilliant products available to move away from using either silver foil or clingfilm in the first place so the issue of recycling it doesn’t arise.
Re-usable, washable ones include those made from:
Silicone without plastic fillers (silicon being the eighth most common element in the universe and mixed with hydrogen, oxygen and carbon to produce a non-toxic, elastic product which can be stretched to fit or as a roll).
Beeswax wraps made from coated material, usually cotton, made by infusing cotton with food-grade beeswax, tree resin, coconut oil and jojoba oil. They can be bought readymade or go to www.goodhousekeeping.com or www.countryfile.com or other online sites for guidance on making your own. Vegan versions are also available if you wish to avoid using beeswax.
Re-use tinfoil dishes from ready meals to make a top and lid when cooking.
EVA and cotton bags which are washable.
Stainless Steel, Glass or Bamboo containers which have the added advantage of rigidity for fragile foodstuffs.
Aspects to consider before buying could include: from what sort and size you will get most use, if materials are ethically produced, locality of both producer and stockist, and whether any packaging of the item is recyclable …or ideally there isn’t any! so we recommend doing a bit of research before purchasing, and you may wish to try a couple of different types (one idea is to trial different ones among household members to compare results).
Brands which our members have tried out with varying degrees of preference include:
The Beeswax Wrap Co/Vegan Wax Wrap Co
Some supermarkets and charity shops are also starting to stock a selection of items.
So, whilst food wrapping is still being developed that uses mushrooms, seaweed, pressed hay and banana leaves – to name just a few, please do give one or more of the above a go – and do, of course, let us know how you get on, and watch out for March’s article on another item!
Monthly updates will be available on https://www.sustainableshrivenham.com/updates
