Making Sustainable Beeswax Wraps to reduce Single Use Plastic in my Kitchen

[@thesentienttoadstool9369]

When I made mine, I sandwiched the fabric and beeswax between two sheets of wax paper and ironed them. It worked like a charm. The iron pushed the excess wax off the fabric. You can just peel the extra off the paper when cooked and reuse it!

[@MijnWolden]

That was my plan until my husband reminded me of the hairdryer 😁

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

Things I do that reduce my household’s carbon footprint: Reducing food waste is a big one. Leftovers get eaten, often in ’recycled’ form. Leftover veggies and gravy go into a soup that’s a meal in itself, for example. Or into a stew. Buy local as much as possible for my food. That means hopping on my bicycle and trekking to a farm to buy produce off them. Reduce fridge use: If I can get away with not using the refrigerator, I will. Leaks and root vegetables for example get stored in a wooden box filled with potting soil or sawdust. It keeps the moisture content perfect and allows for long term storage. Granted, some times I’ll be fishing around for a carrot and find a turnip, but hey… that fits the chaos goblin life. Using a slowcooker or a pressure cooker for a lot of dishes means less energy used for cooking. If leftovers can’t or won’t be used within a reasonable time, they get frozen for usage later. Either as a meal or as components to a new meal. Paper bags get re-used. Bags from buying bread, paper bags from buying produce I can’t get from a local farm… they’re excellent as sandwich bags, to cover books, to use scrunched up as wadding if I want to send someone something… Grass gets cut with a lawnmower that has a mulching function. This is more for convenience than anything else, but every little bit helps. And I use the terms ‘grass’ or ‘lawn’ quite freely. If it’s green(ish) and mowable, the term applies. Part of my garden has been converted to a no-mow area where I’ve sown wildflowers. It gets clipped only a few times per growing season to help pollinators find food. And it’s pretty. And it’s less work because you can just let it do its thing. Any garden ’waste’ gets composted, unless my neighbour wants it for her goats. We try to reduce our water usage as much as possible and whenever we can, waste water gets repurposed. Shower instead of a bath. ‘Brown water’ for watering the garden, especially during the Summer months. Rainwater collection. This also means keeping an eye on what to use as detergents. Aphids and similar pests get their eviction notice through the use of a soapy solution that is not harmful for pollinators. Foraging for food: there are a lot of wild foods going to waste. Those end up in jams or, as I make wines, meads and ciders, in my home made tipple. What’s left after fermentation is fed to my neighbours chickens or composted. I have a selection of farmers that don’t mind me checking out their fields after the harvesting machines have passed through. You’d be amazed how many carrots, turnips or potatoes are left behind in a field and are just left to rot. For me it’s free food. Gathering an extra bucket for the farmer is highly appreciated. Clothing gets re-purposed in many ways. Some goes to the thrift store. Some gets taken apart to be made into other items of clothing or into bags, pot holders, rags for cleaning, patchwork dog bed blankets (not pretty, but highly appreciated by the dogs). Old bath towels get donated to my sister who always needs them for her veterinary clinic. If I can’t avoid buying something in a single use food container, that container will often get re-used at least a couple of times. Yes, like Grandma I store leftovers in tubs that contained other stuff. Until they break apart, which is when they end up in the plastic recycling bag (PMD bag). I don’t buy drinks in plastic bottles if I can avoid it. Over the past year, I haven’t bought more than two bottles of fizzy lemonade, and not a single canned drink. If I really want a fizzy drink I have ly soda stream knock-off. I re-read the books I own. Frequently. If I find myself owning a book that doesn’t do it for me, I’ll find a new home for it. Usually the local care facility. They’re always happy with new books for their tenants. And I read a lot of e-books. If I can get away with not printing something, I won’t print it. I have a sticker requesting no flyers and ’free’ advertising leaflets in my mailbox. Some postal workers gleefully ignore this sticker on my mailbox, so I crafted a big red arrow pointing towards it. When elections approach I hang out my “geen verkiezingsdrukwerk, ik weet al voor wie ik stem!” sign. Oddly enough, our local ‘green’ politicians seem to have ignored this most. I’m curious to see if they do this year. When out on a walk or a hike, I often do what I call ‘waste foraging’. I carry a bag and if I see stray bottles, cans, or wrappers, I’ll pick them up to dispose of at the end of the walk. Why leave them to clutter up nature and possibly endanger wild creatures? Even if you’re picky or squeamish about some types of waste, just one can or bottle that you pick up is one less littering up nature. Sounds obvious, but turn off lights, unplug appliances you can unplug (especially if they have clocks), unplug unused chargers. In winter, wear an extra sweater instead of turning up the heat. Never put on half a load of laundry, never overfill a load either. Use half the detergent manufacturers prescribe. Use the 'eco'' setting on your washing machine. Dry your laundry on a rack or on a line outside whenever you can. Don't use fabric softener. Ask yourself "Is this dirty, or does it just need airing?" Keep your bread in the fridge, it won't go moldy as fast. Stale bread makes great toast, delicious Frznch toast, bread pudding, and awesome croutons or breadcrumbs for crispy coatings on foods. If your employer isn't close enoufh to your home for cycling, take public transport and ask if remote work is an option. I'm lucky to have an employer who cottoned onto remote work during the pandemic, and kept it. There are only two mandatory office days a week. For health reasons I'm temporarily on a 1 office day a week regimen. That automatically turns into my grocery shopping day as well, as public transportation or cycling unfortunately aren't an option. But whenever possible I do offer a ride to someone. This makes le seem like a paragon of sustainability. I'm not. Far from it. A lot of the above is actually motivated by laziness or convenience. Oh yes: beeswax wraps and silicone tops instead of single use bags and cling wrap. Definitely. Chaos brain. LOL

[@MijnWolden]

That's a whole list! Great work!

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

@@MijnWolden - My neurospicy went into overdrive. LOL

[@jirup]

For beeswax wraps, I iron the cloth first, stack a few layers deep and then brush on melted wax. As each layer is waxed it is removed to cool. If the wax is a bit thick, ironing it between layers of unwaxed cloth or brown paper evens everything out.

[@MijnWolden]

Stacking them sounds really efficient!

[@jirup]

​@@MijnWolden Helps get the production line going. I give sets of wraps as gifts to encourage sustainability in the people around me, so I make a fair few in a session.

[@lgerha01]

Love the beeswax wraps! I haven't tried them myself, I mostly use reusable glass pyrex bowls (and am slowly replacing the plastic lids that break with silicone lids which should last longer). A new sustainable practice I've started is darning my handknit socks. I got a darning loom and I'm having fun fixing all of my socks and giving them more life!

[@MijnWolden]

I have some arcopal bowls too, that's like pyrex but another brand 😁

[@alexvanderpol1]

Sustainable Jente for the win!

[@MijnWolden]

😎

[@angellinafosse1936]

I had a problem with a bunch of my shirts due to increased skin sensitivity, not sure why, but it was just the shoulders I found on the back of the seams had plastic which was rubbing against my skin causing irritation, so I figured out a way to solve by sewing down the shoulders seam on those particular shirts. Its working great and now I can wear those shirts again which is good because it was most of my favorite shirts. I also have fixed some hand warmers because my hand seem to get cold so easily. I'm personally working on making my clothes last longer so I don't need to buy new ones, which is a bonus because I know I like the ones I already have.

[@MijnWolden]

Mending is a great way to make your wardrobe sustainable, and to enjoy your clothes more/longer 😁

[@genier7829]

I am thrifty, which translates in action to sustainability. I buy all my clothes except underwear second hand and knit most of my projects from reclaimed yarn. I remake many of these second hand clothes since thrifted clothing often has excellent fabric and buttons, especially useful are larger men's items like shirts, wool jackets and sweaters.I don't buy plastic wrap, but I get so many bags from bread that I use them instead. Fun video, thanks.

[@MijnWolden]

I do save all my paper bags from bread and vegetables too 😁

[@countbaldwiniv]

Wow the husband had a good idea! ❤

[@MijnWolden]

He has his moments

[@leslieambailey]

Awesome! I was going to make some of those but someone gave me some as a gift last Christmas. I use shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes, tooth powder in a tin, bamboo toilet paper, I sewed flour sack towels into reusable “paper towels,” I use glass for most of my storage (but I also have silicone Ziploc bags and I wash Ziploc bags and reuse them many many times). I use laundry sheets instead of detergent in jugs and dryer balls. I try to get body moisturizer in jars and lip balm in cardboard tubes. Those aren’t as easy… So I actually made some facial moisturizer myself and store it in baby food jars. I compost, I recycle, and I do small batch burning with my waste. I’m really trying! But produce in single use plastic is still a challenge. Go, you!! ♻️✅

[@MijnWolden]

Go you, that's an impressive list! 💚

[@biblioknitting9695]

My current composting service is ending their services after Thursday, and I've been complaining about that for the last few days. This video inspired me to go and book a new composting service!

[@MijnWolden]

Book that service 😁 eventhough I have never heard of booking a composting service

[@rashna671]

I use silicone bowl covers and freezer bags! Luckily I grew up in a home with no cling film ( just put a plate on top; instant lid!) but these keep that fridge smell from going into the food (and food smell from going into the fridge) the way the plate does. Its still plastic but Ive had some of them for like 2 years now and they are still going strong so I feel its acceptably sustainable. I also dont have disposable paper towels but I must confess its mostly because I was too cheap to replace the roll and then got used to living without it.

[@MijnWolden]

I accept silicone covers as sustainable too: as long as it is being reused, there's no extra new plastic in the world. It's like I have quite a bit of clothes that I bought from fast fashion stores over 10 years ago, I'm still wearing them.

[@serenafardin7441]

I bought silicone covers too but mine must be unlucky as they have never worked well, they don't stay on the bowls 😔 so simply use and reuse plastic boxes

[@kalka1l]

We keep chickens and collect food waste from the local food pantry and a friend’s brewery to supplement our animal feed. What they don’t eat (due to mold etc.) we compost and incorporate into our orchard and vegetable field.

[@MijnWolden]

That's awesome! I would really like to keep chickens one day, but for now our garden isn't fit for them yet (works Will be undertaken shortly)

[@kalka1l]

@@MijnWolden that’s fantastic! I agree from what I have seen in your videos your garden is likely better suited for a handful of adorable little quails. What heirloom chicken breed have you considered?

[@gemmaf_]

There are some fantastic ideas in the comments!! The only thing I feel I'm doing well at is reducing our food waste to only scraps for the green bin. Mostly from meal planning, as boring as that sounds. We shop twice a week, so buy what we need for 3 or 4 days. I know there's more I could be doing. I love the idea of beeswax wraps, but we tend to use a lot of containers, rather than clingfilm already.

[@MijnWolden]

Containers are great! And food planning isn't boring at all, we do it too 😁

[@gemmaf_]

@@MijnWolden It's mostly due to covid that we got good at it. The fewer visits to the supermarket, the better 🤣 I think I levelled up my dutch skills with the amount of bags I biked home with then.

[@serenafardin7441]

Very interesting video!!!!!! The fact is, you are right, things should have less plastic around them starting from production. Everytime I come home from the supermarket I realize that some stuff has super short life. The time to keep food, being bought and brought home and it's thrown away. So I'm mad in recycling, I constantly have the "rubbish guide"in my hand. It ends I throw very little. I save and re use all material I can. I love this solution you found and....I was about to buy worbla to fix a broken thing and absolutely needed a heat gun....it ended up I used some transparent plastic bottles and my hair dryer. Guess what ....my husband gave me the idea 👍😂. We are way too much professional we always need specialized tools instead of simple ones 😬😬😬

[@MijnWolden]

I feel like too much responsibility is put on the consumer, while not everyone has the means to make the ecoconscious purchase, this making the Gap between rich and poor even more evident... Recently they've changed some recycling rules here in Belgium and I'm constantly confused as to what plastic goes in which bag...

[@Hanna_Golinska]

I used washable nappies for the kids when we lived in Chile. It was usually hot and dry and they dried very quickly out in the sun. Now we live in Stockholm and, sadly, we use disposable nappies because of the climate

[@MijnWolden]

That's quite the move, Chile to Stockholm!

[@alexvanderpol1]

I try to be sustainable in my hobbies (obviously), second hand wheels, knitting a vest from handspun hand prepped fleece. I crocheted a few market bags I use regularly. But I too could be better.

[@MijnWolden]

We could all be better, but on the other hand I am convinced that there is a big role in this for governments and corporations... We as consumers can try to avoid unsustainable products, but that doesn't Mean they don't get produced...

[@cairistionacollins7893]

Great video - I must try this! We grow a lot of our own veg , herbs and fruit. I get my eggs from a friend who has totally free range hens. I make my own washing detergent , shampoo , moisturiser and soap. I buy most of our clothes from charity shops. Make jams and syrups, forage in the woods and hedgerows and make herbal medicines . I am now learning to spin and kntit and just bought some lovely fleeces to get me started - I need to find out how to clean them first! :)

[@MijnWolden]

Go you, what a long list of sustainable habits 💚

[@jenniferbrighty5120]

Hi Jente, I hope you and Dries are OK xx ❣️❣️❣️❣️ I tend to re use any one time plastic for weighing fibres and for putting Add-Ins in them . If we can't re use them at home then we're lucky that we can take them to the Supermarket and put them in their bin for them to dispose of.. I hope the Bees that were hiding in your wraps had left before you put them in your fridge. Thankyou so much for sharing this video podcast, was most interesting and inspiring. Take care and stay safe Goblin Friend 🐝🍄 Lots of love and Big Hugs to you both and Cuddles for your Dog Jen xxxx ❤️❤️❤️🫂🫂🫂🫂🐕

[@MijnWolden]

I Reuse those plastic tubs for the same purposes too. Especially the ones from chinese food and ice cream 😁

[@jenniferbrighty5120]

@@MijnWolden Hi Jente, Thankyou so much for the Heart ♥ Sending Heart ♥ back to you ❤️💞 I'm glad that that I'm not aline in using any of the one time plastic thungs. I think us Crafty People will be saving more of the planet than anyone else !!!! Thankyou for sharing all your Shenanigans. After I'd watched you and scrolling down my phone, found at least 3 other people making Beeswax Wraps.🤣🤣🤣 Hope you're having a Wonderful Week 🌞☀️ Take care, Sweet Fibre Friend 🐑🥰🥰 Love and hugs Jen xxxx ❤️❤️❤️🫂🫂🫂🐕

[@YarnNTea]

👍

[@MijnWolden]

👍

[@kalka1l]

Oh! I meant to add: I incorporate damar instead of pine resin into my beeswax wraps to help then stick together. I haven’t found a safe additive to keep bees away because as you said warm beeswax is a beacon for every worker bee within a 5km radius will find your picnic.

[@MijnWolden]

Which urges the question: if my beeswax was purchased less then 5 kms away, would the same bees that made it have come into my house? 🤔

[@kalka1l]

@@MijnWolden Sadly due to their short lifecycles no but bees from future generations of that same hive yes! In fact hivemates possibly been in your home depending on how many beekeepers and wild hives you have nearby. I am in the middle of a beekeeping break right now as climate change has made it inhumane for us to keep them. Modern bees in my region would benefit from temperature controlled overwintering shelter. While it has taken a few years we are slowly building them a winter home using salvaged material.

[@MijnWolden]

I don't know how many hives and beekeepers there are, but the wax was bought from a beekeeper only one village over 😁

[@renatev.dd.8174]

Good as can bee! You wil do great as Queen Bee! 😊 I don't buy plastik wrapt vegetables anymore. Also i get Milk in a glass bottle and that i can refill at the farm. Een melktap❤ no more packaging trash... (Les trash at least)😊🎉

[@MijnWolden]

Oooh that sounds lovely, too bad I'm lactose intolerant and can't drink straight from the farm

[@sabrinajudt5719]

❤

[@bethholness5153]

Terrific, another sighting of the elusive husband. Great non tutorial, thanks for sharing.

[@MijnWolden]

He's not so elusive on our joint channel The History Hikers 😁

[@KristiesHooked]

I have never heard of this before. How do you use it? I'm thinking it's used in place of plastic wrap?

[@MijnWolden]

Exactly! It's to cover bowls and plates or cut open pieces of fruit and veggies.

[@MySweetT1]

You can also wrap sandwiches in them.😊

[@linr8260]

I make a good portion of my clothes and rarely get anything new anyway. And buy produce etc directly from farmers when possible. Will you keep us posted on how well the wraps hold up to use, how practical you actually find them? I'd be interested to hear your opinion. And now I'm wondering about the potential use of waxed fabric as outerwear--out of bee season of course.

[@MijnWolden]

I'll keep you posted. Oh on the waxed fabric: @kiera-oona made a video about waterproofing fabric with beeswax a week or two ago

[@linr8260]

@@MijnWolden :o thank you for telling me

[@Eastybeastyy]

bees wax in the pan is literally forbidden butter 🤣

[@MijnWolden]

I thought of forbidden eggs sunny side up 😂

[@Eastybeastyy]

@@MijnWolden either way it isn't allow to develop that gorgeous brown 'i'm yummy' fried color because I will try it 😅🤣

[@MijnWolden]

@Eastybeastyy at least beeswax isn't toxic 😂

[@Eastybeastyy]

@@MijnWolden well now you're doing nothing to halt my goblin curiosity

[@MijnWolden]

@Eastybeastyy goblin curiosity is the only thing that drives me in this world