Since giving birth to Little Miss I have been extra conscious of minimising my family’s exposure to toxic plastics. I’m even anxious about using BPA free plastics to store food! I prefer to use glass for this reason, but when you have little hands getting into everything, the last thing you need to hear is the sound of glass shattering.
And just to clarify... I'm not a hippie. I'm just your average everyday mum trying to keep her family happy and healthy.
Little Miss has now entered toddlerhood and requires an abundance of ongoing snacks throughout the day. I often feel like I’m constantly purchasing plastic zip lock bags and cling wrap, which not only gets expensive but is also bad for the environment. Oh and let's not talk about my plastic container drawer! It's always overflowing and I can barely find a matching lid when I need to. Half the time the container lid comes off anyway.
FACT: Did you know that the average Australian throws away a whopping 650 kilograms of waste every year (which includes a lot of plastic)? This is the second highest amount in the world, second only to the United States! I know my garbage bin is often overflowing at the end of the week!
I was recently gifted with these innovative SUSTOMi beeswax wraps and they literally blew my socks off. They are made of hemp, organic cotton, Tasmanian beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin.
The great thing about these wraps is they can also be composted at the end of their life, making them ZERO waste!
When I first heard about them I was a bit sceptical. The new concept was difficult for me to wrap my head around (pun intended). I wasn’t sure they would actually work. But once I tried them out I realised what all the fuss was about. They’re pretty genius.
They are cut into squares which you can then mould into various shapes with the heat of your hands. They are also breathable and water resistant. I know it seems a little hard to believe but the combination of jojoba and beeswax does help seal in the freshness. The sizes range from small to extra-large, which is big enough to wrap a loaf of artisan bread.
What I love about these is that you can reuse them which saves you money as they replace the need for single-use plastic wrap. They should last at least six months and up to 12 months with proper care.
If you’ve got a practical “mum brain” like me you must be wondering how you clean them? All you need to do it wipe them with a warm damp cloth (no detergent) and then let air dry. Too easy!
TIP: If you need to fix wear and tear just re-melt wax over the wrap.
So far, I’ve used the wraps to:
Wrap sandwiches for my husband’s lunch
Wrap snacks for outings with Little Miss
Cover half eaten fruit which I know she will want to eat again in half an hour
Wrap vegetables
Cover leftover food stored in the fridge
I've molded them into little cones to hold popcorn and other shapes for snacks (Little Miss thinks they’re so fun!)
They’re also great for:
Covering leftover food stored in bowls, like a salad
Replacing plastic on fresh cut flowers
People are always coming up with new ideas. Share pics of how you use yours! #sustomi #zerowaste
On a superficial note, if you’re like most people these days and love to show off photos of your food on social media, the wraps also will make your lunch look super pretty. They come in a range of fun and colourful patterns but also in plain hemp.
There are a few limitations:
Shouldn't be used for hot food as it might melt the beeswax
Not to be used for liquids or meat
Not designed for cooking so keep it away from heat (no microwaves or dishwashers) as it will melt beeswax
I should mention that I've only been using my wraps for a week or so, so I can't rate the longevity of the product.
If you’re conscious of keeping your family healthy, reducing waste, and minimising your impact on the environment, these wraps are for you!
Still haven’t wrapped your head around the concept? SUSTOMi is currently offering you a free gift. Go to their website to receive your very own extra small beeswax wrap to try out at home. They also stock other cool eco-friendly items like metal straws which I've also just started using.
SUSTOMi is a Launceston based Tasmanian business, so rest assured you’re supporting a small Australian business.
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