Looking for some zero waste alternatives to plastic wrap? Can’t say I blame you: Plastic wrap is such a huge money drainer and terrible for the environment. Plus, it’s super annoying. Way before I went zero waste, I always hated plastic wrap. It never cooperated with me when I went to rip a piece off. I always ended up using more than I cared for because it would stick together. Ugh. I’m so glad there are zero waste alternatives to plastic wrap. In fact, there are so many options to choose from it can get a little overwhelming. That’s why I decided I’d show you guys my favorite plastic wrap alternatives so you can decide for yourself which is right for you. There’s no right or wrong necessarily, it’s just a matter of your own personal preference. That said, it’s imperative you make the switch away from plastic wrap – if not for the sake of the planet, then for your own health. Plastic leeches into everything it touches: Is that really something you want sitting on your food? Worse yet, plastic wrap tends to be made from PVC (Polyvinylidene Chloride), which contains a number of toxic chemicals that releases into the surrounding environment. Doesn’t exactly sound appetizing, does it? Instead, give one of these zero waste alternatives to plastic wrap a try. You won’t regret it!
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Here are the top five zero waste alternatives to plastic wrap I recommend. All of them are durable and will last a long time, resulting in huge money savings for you. A one time purchase of these products will pay for itself in no time! I’m sure there are plenty of brands out there, but these are some of my personal favorites. No matter which you choose, you can’t go wrong.
Beeswax wraps are my favorite plastic wrap alternative, hands down.
I have an assortment of beeswax wraps from different brands, but I really recommend looking into these top three brands: Bee’s Wrap (pictured), Abeego, and ETEE wraps (pictured).
They come in various shapes and sizes too, making them ideal for a slew of situations. I recommend getting the one pack with three wraps so you have plenty on hand. They come in small, medium and large sizes, perfect for any size plate or bowl.
I tend to use beeswax wraps to cover everything from bowls to halved avocados. It’s a very versatile product.
Basically, all beeswax wraps are made from cotton, tree resin, and (you guessed it) beeswax. The warmth of your hands softens the beeswax and helps it stick.
To keep beeswax wraps in good shape, just wash them in cold water and use over and over again. At the end of their life, you simply add them to your compost. Gotta love a full circle product!
Cloth bowl covers are definitely my second favorite way to store food. Their fun patterns and designs always leave a smile on my face.
These cloth cotton bowl covers have a stretchy elastic edge that easily slides over bowls of various shapes and sizes.
I recommend checking out Zoie + Chloe (pictured, left) or Wegreeco (pictured, right) cloth covers.
These will last you a super long time. You can hand wash them, or just toss them in the laundry with the rest of your load. I recommend using my zero waste laundry detergent on them.
These are also great options for keeping bugs away and keeping food warm when serving guests at a party. They’re certainly conversation starters!
I really love using glassware to store my leftovers.
Instead of dumping leftovers into a huge bowl and putting plastic wrap over it, I just put them in my glassware and snap the lid on. Done.
The great thing about glassware is that you can also freeze food in it, without worrying it’ll break. It’s also oven-proof, so you can easily re-heat leftovers inside it (just be sure to take off the lid first).
Another option is stainless steel food storage containers. These are perfect for storing leftovers, lunches and snacks without plastic wrap. You just put your food items of choice inside and clamp the lid on. So simple.
If you still have Tupperware on hand, don’t throw it out! That would be wasteful, even if it is plastic. At the least, Tupperware can be reused more than plastic wrap ever can. So make sure you use it in lieu of plastic wrap (assuming it’s all you have).
Personally, I’ve never used a silicone lid before, but I’ve seen plenty of people do it.
Silicone lids are definitely a nice, plastic free option. They’re impressively durable and won’t tear or warp as time goes on.
The cool part about silicone lids is that they’re microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe. So they’re pretty flexible (haha, get my pun?).
ModFamily (pictured, left) and QooWare (pictured, right) make some nice silicone lids worth checking out.
ModFamily’s silicone lids are clear so you can see the food inside, which is a nice touch. They also stretch to fit whatever size your bowl is! So you won’t have to find a matching lid ever again.
QooWare gives you a set of five colorful lids, perfect for covering an assortment of items ranging from cups to bowls. You can also rest assured they’ll keep your food fresh because of their suction design which provides a unique airtight seal.
Personally, I’d like to totally try out ModFamily’s silicone lids, but that’s just me.
5. Silicone food bags
Last but not least, silicone food bags are another great zero waste alternative to plastic wrap.
While I’ve never owned one, I know plenty of zero waste bloggers who rave about them. That’s because silicone bags are air-tight and durable, designed to store both dry and wet food.
I love how you can use them in the freezer or fridge, and that they’re dishwasher safe as well. Another cool feature is that you can see what’s in the bag and use a dry-erase marker to label the contents. Definitely handy for remembering what you wanted to use it for!
I hear a lot of people rave about Stasher bags (pictured, right), but Rosemera (pictured, left) is also a good option.
Rosemera silicone bags have a slider bar that secures the contents inside, while the Stasher bag has a pinch lock seal that’s quick and effective. Stasher bags are even safe for use in boiling water and the oven (up to 400 degrees F)! So cool, right?
Both options are great for storing on the go snacks, so you can pack your kids (or yourself) a nice little treat for lunch.
Personally, I’d really like to give Stasher bags a try sometime soon! They look really fun and I love all the colors, patterns and sizes they come in.
What are your favorite zero waste alternatives to plastic wrap?
For other ways to have a plastic free kitchen, be sure to check out my 10 zero waste kitchen swaps, how to freeze food without plastic, and how to store leftovers without plastic.
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Hey, great ideas about swapping out plastic warppers – its good to see the Zero Waste world developing in front of our eyes.
I actually work with a Zero Waste company myself and wondered if you've ever considered/would consider in the future, a guest post on the site? I'd love to collaborate with you on such a thing if its of interest.
Adding my two cents here – I LOVE my Stasher bags. Hands down one of the best investments my family has made in our zero waste journey. Trying to strike the right balance of Stasher bags plus beeswax wrap in order to completely eliminate single-use baggies from our household – still working on finding the right number, but we're getting close. Great list 🙂
Great work. Thanks for sharing.
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