Plastic pollution is gaining more and more attention within Australia, with a large focus on single use plastics. The problem has become so large that several sources claim by 2050 there will be more plastic in the world's oceans than fish. Whilst this sounds like wild hype, it may not be so far from the truth. A study by Jambeck and co-authors published in Science in 2015 estimated that between 4.8 and 12.7 million metric tonnes of plastic end up in the world's oceans each year. A separate study focused on debris washed up on Australia's coastline, with three quarters of the debris being identified as plastic!
Now while the numbers seem staggering, there are many steps you can do to reduce your reliance on single use plastics. This blog will focus on one of those steps, getting rid of your reliance on cling wrap! Cling wrap/plastic wrap is a large contributor to landfill, not only from households but also small to medium enterprises (SMEs). A study in Australia found that plastic wrap made up approximately 50% of all plastics being sent to landfill by the SMEs. So what can we do? I have recently started using a great new product as an alternative to cling wrap, known as Bees Wax Wraps/Honey Bee Wraps (see pictures below). There are more and more brands popping up providing similar wraps, and they appear to be fundamentally the same. The wraps themselves are made of organic cotton, natural bees wax, jojoba oil, coconut oil and tree resin. To use them you just wrap up the product as you would with cling wrap, and then use the warmth from your hands to help seal the wrap. With a little bit of care these wraps can be re-used over and over and last up to 12 months each (I have had mine for approximately 3 months now and they show very minimal signs of wear if any). To maintain the wraps we just rinse in cold water with a little bit of environmentally friendly/grey-water safe detergent. However, make sure you check the individual suppliers care instructions as they may vary. I certainly give these wraps the tick of approval, and I have found they keep our food crisp and fresh just as long as cling wrap did, if not longer. So get started, become a wrapper today and reduce your impact with this one little step!
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AuthorMy name is Garry and I am extremely passionate about the environment. I have completed my BSc. Conservation and Wildlife Biology with First Class Honours and have worked in the Environment sector since 2009. Archives
October 2019
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Photos used under Creative Commons from Local Food Initiative, mitchell haindfield, everyoneisgone, Montgomery County Planning Commission, Takashi(aes256), ilyayakubovich.com