The single-use problem

How often do we reach out for an aluminium foil or plastic cling wrap in the kitchen and think it just a small piece, it’s recyclable and this can’t harm the earth !! Imagine this happening in millions of urban homes across the globe. 

The truth is that only a vey minuscule percentage actually end up getting recycled with a report in Science Advances by Roland Geyer of the University of California stating that only 9 % of all plastic produced to date has been recycled. That’s tons of single use plastic or aluminium that’s ending up in landfills across the world. The invention of plastic changed the changed the way we live and in a lot of areas its use is irreplacable today. Having said that, the question to ask is do we really need it to cover our food ? The answer is no. The same goes for aluminium foil in most cases.

Making the switch to reusable alternatives

Making the switch to reusable alternatives is one of the easiest things we can do to do reduce our consumption of single use plastic, paper or aluminum. Beeswax food wraps like Madhu Wrap made by Urban Creative are now gaining popularity as a reusable and sustainable alternative to single use food wraps. Read on to know more about them and how you can use and care for them. 

What are beeswax food wraps ?

Oils and and natural waxes been used since thousands of years to coat fabrics and paper to make them air and moisture resistant for a multitude of uses.

Following the same principle, beeswax wraps are made by coating a fabric, mostly cotton with a blend of melted beeswax, oils and/ or tree resins. The advantage of beeswax is that it is a natural and food safe wax which has amazing anti microbial and anti bacterial properties. Madhu Wrap Beeswax Food Wraps made by Urban Creative are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton coated with bleached beeswax, organic cold-pressed coconut oil and natural tree dammar gum. In addition to the beeswax, coconut oil also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. The wraps mold and stick to surfaces when pressed with the warmth of our hands.

Not just a replacement for single use food wraps – Keep food fresher for longer.

Fresh produce needs to breath! The skins and peels of vegetables and fruits are not air tight. They breath and permit gases and mositure to permeate. Mimicking natural peels and skins, beeswax wraps are also breathable. This allows foods wrapped in beeswax like fruits and vegetable, herbs and natural cheeses to stay fresher for longer, extending the life of food and preventing food waste.

What can Madhu wrap beeswax wraps be used for? 

All ingredients used to make our beeswax wraps are locally and ethically sourced. These beeswax wraps are reusable and can be washed multiple times. With careful usage and following simple instructions, these organic Madhu wraps can last up to eight to ten months or even more and withstand as many as 100 washes.

Madhu wraps are ideal for storing or packing foods like sandwiches, rolls, raw fruits,rotis, natural and processed cheese, cakes, etc.

What are some things to keep in mind while using beeswax wraps?

• Beeswax melts at a temperature of 60°C, hence allow some time for food to cool down before wrapping in the Madhu Wraps.
• Do not use the wraps in a microwave or convection oven. Store them in cool areas, away from heat sources.  
• The wraps should be washed and rinsed in cold water and a diluted soap solution can be used if heavily soiled. Use a gentle brush to clean if needed.
• Avoid placing very greasy food in the wraps as the high oil content may dissolve the wax.
• We do not recommend using the wraps for raw meat as the wraps cannot be washed with hot water.

These are some of the key points to remember while using beeswax wraps.If you would like to know more about beeswax foods wraps read our FAQ section. We have also made a few instructional videos on use and care of our beeswax food wraps, which can be seen on our website.