Beeswax packaging gains in popularity

Beeswax-infused cotton food wraps are becoming a popular alternative to cling wrap, according to a manufacturer.

Linsay Elton, owner of Busy Beeswax Food Wraps, has been making the eco-friendly packaging for the past year.

She was inspired to find alternatives to plastics such as cling wrap, as schools began recommending the need to reduce plastic usage in school.

“It’s actually a huge problem the plastic issue . . . I think it’s great if we can reduce plastic in any way.”

Mrs Elton said she had definitely noticed an increase in sales and had received good feedback.

The wraps are made by hand, and cost between $5 and $15 depending on the size.

Bruce Trask from Zero Waste Education, an organisation that educates children about rubbish in schools, said they have many different programmes for teaching Year 1-8 students about reducing waste and recycling.

“The kids have got to learn it from somewhere,” said Mr Trask.

Those working in the organisation look at children’s lunch boxes and educate them about what is and isn’t recyclable, and explain how they can reduce the use of cling wrap by using alternatives.

“It’s educating the kids that we need to look after the resources that we’ve got and not just chuck them away in some landfill.”

He said it’s also about educating the parents at the same time.

Mr Trask thinks minimisation of plastic is getting better with the use of alternatives, but said we need to be reasonable about it.

“If things get too expensive, then people won’t buy them.”

Linda Alchin, of Whangamata, is a regular user of the reusable beeswax food wraps and loves them.

She has been using them in her household for about a year now, and is still using the same ones she originally purchased.

She was attracted to them because of the different colours, and said they were perfect for the kids.

“I have a roll of Glad Wrap still in [the cupboard] from over a year ago from when I started using them.”