Recently, I came across reusable beeswax wraps at the Antigonish Winter Market. Sandra Swinkels, the owner of Swinkels Bee Products, started making them as a natural alternative to plastic wrap.
I was thrilled to find them locally and was looking forward to trying them out. So, in case you were wondering…
What are they made of?
The wraps are made out of 100% organic cotton infused with beeswax, pine resin and jojoba oil. All three substances are known to be natural preservatives and have antibacterial properties. The combination of the cotton fabric and the above ingredients result in a breathable storage solution.
How big are the wraps?
The general use wraps come in two sizes: 8″ x 8″ and 11″ x 11″. The sandwich wraps measure 14″ x 14″ unfolded and 5″ x7″ folded.
How do you use them?
The wraps can be used to cover bowls, jars, plates, etc. They are very malleable and simply require the warmth of your hands to adhere to the rim of containers.
They are very versatile too. You can turn them into snack bags by moulding them into a desired shape or simply use them to wrap leftover bread, fruits, vegetables, cheese, and more.
How well do they work?
I compared the two methods of food storage by wrapping two halves of an avocado, one with cling wrap and the other one with beeswax wrap.
Cling wrap vs Beeswax wrap
Twenty four hours later…
Not bad, eh?
As for the sandwich wraps, I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first… I wasn’t sure if my sandwich would remain fresh until the next day, but it did!
An added bonus was the sweet aroma of beeswax. A little aromatherapy during lunch break is always a good thing!
What about care and storage?
The wrappers come with a sheet of instructions for use & care. It’s recommended to wash them with cool water and mild dish soap, otherwise the beeswax and resin might lose their adherence. And, since they cannot be cleaned with hot water, they should not to be used for storing meat.
The large wrap can be stored flat, folded or rolled. I like to roll mine up and place it in a drawer to minimize storage space. The sandwich wrap can easily be stored as is.
How much do they cost?
The small wraps cost $7.00, the larger ones cost $9.00 and the sandwich wraps, $12.00. They are reusable and can last up to a year, so it’s well worth the investment.
And, although I love the bumble bee print, there are many other beautiful and colourful prints to choose from. Here are just a few:
You can find Sandra and her line of Swinkels Bee Products, including the beeswax wraps, every Saturday at the Antigonish Winter Market or you can purchase her products online.
Eco-friendly • Sustainable • Reusable • Biodegradable
If you use 1 sqft of plastic wrap for one sandwich per day, then this adds up to 260 sqft per year. For a family of 4, this number translates to 1040 sqft per year. Now say you were to switch to beeswax wraps only twice per week, this automatically cuts down your plastic wrap usage by at least 40%! Not bad, considering film plastics (which include plastic wraps) have such a negative impact on the environment and, now more then ever, we are strongly encouraged to reduce the amount of plastic we use; think of the recent plastic bags ban implemented in Montreal and possibly in Nova Scotia in the near future.
So, if you use plastic wrap daily for your sandwiches and snacks, why not try using beeswax wraps instead? Even once a week can make a huge difference!
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