Plastic FREE July: How to make beeswax wraps
The best way we can tackle waste is simply to use fewer things and maybe even cut back on some things altogether.
Buying items that last longer is often kinder to our environment. For example, batteries become waste as soon as they've lost their charge, but rechargeable ones can be reused up to 1,000 times.
To help make the biggest difference to the amount of waste we create, we could make some changes to our regular habits and the things we buy. For example, a packed lunch is often the most wasteful meal of the day as so much convenient food comes wrapped in plastic, but with a little effort we can reduce our waste.
A beeswax wrap is a reusable alternative to clingfilm. You can use them to wrap leftovers, cover bowls and wrap sandwiches and fruit for your lunch. Let’s have some messy fun and make our own.
Things to find or borrow
100% cotton fabric
scissors
a grater
baking paper
an iron
sustainably sourced beeswax (either pellets or a candle end)
Instructions
Collect together the things that you need. Hunt out some scrap cotton material, it doesn't need to be very big.
Cut your fabric to the size and shape that you need. We cut a 20cm x 20cm square, but you could also make your wrap circular.
Grate your wax candle into a neat pile. Lay your piece of fabric on a piece of baking paper on the top of a heatproof surface.
Sprinkle the grated wax or pellets on the fabric to create an even layer. Top with another piece of baking paper (and maybe an old towel).
Top tip: Beeswax has a very low melting point.
Ask a grown up to help you heat the iron to a low setting.
Very gently iron over the top of the towel to melt the beeswax. Try to push the wax to the edges of the fabric so it it completely covered.
Wait for the wax to cool and then peel it away from the paper. Remove any excess wax to use for your next wrap. Your wrap is ready!
Use warm hands to mould the wrap around food. They can be washed in cool soapy water and reused again and again. You can even revamp your wraps by ironing them to spread out the wax.
This recipe is taken from our world of waste themed Tool Kit For Eco Heroes.
Each of our themed Tool Kits are packed with hours of activities to gently teach children (and their families) about our environment. Find out more here.