How to make Bee Wrap at home (DIY)? 🐝

Introduction

Each year, an average French person throws away around 80 kg of packaging, all materials combined. Recycling may seem like a solution, but it remains complex for some packaging.

For example, aluminum foil is often too thin to be recycled, but you can improve its chances of recycling by rolling it into a ball.

Besides recycling, there are other problems with food packaging, including plastic film, which contains endocrine disruptors, which is not at all cool for your health.

Concerning the environmental impact, kitchen waste linked to packaging represents 120,000 tonnes per year in France.

Each household throws away on average 10 packages per day, and every second, nearly 2,900 household packages are thrown away, or around 90 billion packages per year, generating 4.7 million tonnes of annual waste (source: ADEME).

Now that we are better informed about these issues, what would you say about taking action to reduce our impact on the environment?

How about continuing to package your food while preserving our beautiful planet?

We have the solution for you: Bee Wraps!

Come on, we'll explain everything to you and offer you a tutorial so you can make your own Bee Wraps at home.

Summary

1. What is the Bee Wrap?
1. The many benefits of Bee Wraps
2. What can and cannot be packed in a Bee Wrap?
2. How to make a Bee Wrap?
1. What fabric to make a Bee Wrap?
2. Which wax to make a Bee Wrap?
3. Where can I find beeswax to make my Bee Wrap?
4. What size for a Bee Wrap?
3. DIY Bee Wrap
4. Bee Wrap DIY with iron
5. Bee Wrap DIY in the oven ♨️
6. How to maintain your Bee Wrap?
1. Wash your Bee Wrap after each use
2. Give your Bee Wrap a facelift
7. Where to buy Bee Wraps?
8. Food charlottes: another alternative to disposable packaging
1. Bee Wrap or Charlotte, what is the difference?

What is the Bee Wrap?

The term "Bee Wrap" is an Anglicism composed of the terms "Bee" for bee and "Wrap" for packaging.

It is simply a food wrapper made from fabric soaked in beeswax.

It's a superb artisanal, responsible and healthy alternative for packaging and storing your food at room temperature or in the refrigerator, while taking care of yourself and the planet.

The many benefits of Bee Wraps

• Waterproof and antibacterial: your food will be perfectly preserved and protected from bacteria. The Bee Wrap allows air to pass through while preventing moisture.
• Odorless: it will not leave an odor on your food.
• Adaptable: give it the right shape to cover and fit the top of your bowl, your salad bowl or even your dish. Thanks to the warmth of your hands, the fabric becomes thermoformable, allowing you to give it the desired shape.
• Healthy: your food is packaged without harm and without changing taste, unlike cellophane which contains chemical ingredients.
• Reusable: ecological and economical, you will no longer have to buy disposable food packaging, and if you use fabric scraps to make them, it's even better.
• Easy to make and use: You can easily and quickly make Bee Wraps by yourself at home. In addition, their maintenance is simple.
• Zero-waste: they perfectly replace plastic food films as well as aluminum foil, without compromising food preservation.
• Durable: you can easily give your Bee Wrap a facelift to increase its lifespan.
• Biodegradable: if you no longer want or can no longer use it, you can compost it.

What can and cannot be packed in a Bee Wrap?

Almost anything can be wrapped in a Bee Wrap !

That’s why we love this eco-friendly solution at Oceansrespect!

You can use Bee Wraps to wrap fruits, vegetables, leftover cakes, snack cookies, picnic sandwiches, cheese from your favorite producer, and many other solid foods.

They are also perfect for covering your many dishes and storing them in the refrigerator, thus avoiding waste linked to aluminum foil and plastic film.

However, avoid using Bee Wrap to wrap products that are liquid or likely to leak.

Likewise, we do not recommend packing meat or fish, as these are foods that can easily be contaminated by microbes.

How to make a Bee Wrap?

Now let’s take action and make your own eco-friendly food packaging (psst…the planet thanks you)!

To start, clear a space in your kitchen. Take half an hour to take your time and make several Bee Wraps at once.

Now let's see which fabric and which wax to choose to make the best Bee Wrap.

What fabric to make a Bee Wrap?

Choose a fairly thin cotton fabric. Synthetic materials are too heavy and will not give optimal results.

To be as zero-waste as possible, you can recover fabric from an old, damaged shirt or an old sheet that you no longer use.

You can also buy pretty fabrics in a specialized store, but we recommend that you choose fabric scraps.

Regarding colors, avoid fabrics that are too light as they will stain more easily.

Keep in mind that beeswax leaves a yellowish tint on fabrics, whether light or dark.

Make sure the fabric is clean and ironed (if possible) to get a nice Bee Wrap.

Which wax to make a Bee Wrap?

As the name suggests, Bee Wraps use beeswax. This natural wax secreted by honey bees waterproofs cotton fabric.

It easily adapts to the warmth of your hands, allowing you to shape the Bee Wrap into the desired shape.

If you are vegan, you can use vegetable wax, such as soy wax. The result may be slightly less effective over time than beeswax, but know that it is a possible alternative.

Beeswax sachets (in blocks, shavings or granules) are sold in large quantities and at an affordable price.

So you won't have to worry if you want to make several Bee Wraps and renew them.

You can even share your surplus wax with your loved ones and make your Bee Wraps together, while educating them about zero waste!

All the ingredients we have listed are 100% natural, so there are no dietary contraindications to using Bee Wraps.

Where can I find beeswax to make my Bee Wrap?

You can find beeswax or vegetable wax in grocery and organic stores.

If you live near beekeepers, don't hesitate to ask them if they sell any. Promote the local economy and short circuits.

What size for a Bee Wrap?

The size of your Bee Wraps mainly depends on your bowls and dishes to cover.

For example, if you want to cover a salad bowl, measure its width and add a few centimeters.

To make things easier, you can place your fabric on a table and place your upside-down salad bowl on it. Take a pencil and trace the outline of your salad bowl.

Then, cut around a few centimeters from the traced circle.

Of course, you can prepare fabrics of different sizes to fit different sized bowls and dishes.

DIY Bee Wrap

Convinced by this ecological and reusable food packaging?

Want to create your own Bee Wrap? It's perfect !

We have prepared a tutorial to explain how to make your DIY Bee Wraps (Do It Yourself) at home.

The good news is that it's super simple, totally accessible even to beginners, and it only takes 5 minutes!

You can be proud to have made your Bee Wraps yourself and even impress your loved ones during picnics or lunch breaks.

Bee Wrap DIY with iron

To make your own iron-on Bee Wraps, here's what you'll need:

• Beeswax pellets (or vegetable wax such as soy),
• A square of cotton fabric in the size of your choice (for example 25 x 25 cm),
• A pair of scissors (preferably notched),
• Sheets of baking or parchment paper,
• Iron,
• A board or something to protect your table,
• A little olive or grapeseed oil (optional).

Now, here are the 10 steps to make your homemade Bee Wraps:

1. Cut your cotton fabric to the desired shape and size (square, round, rectangle, etc.).
2. Place a sheet of baking paper on your ironing board or a wooden board to protect your surface.
3. Place your cut fabric on the sheet of baking paper.
4. [OPTIONAL] Lightly brush the fabric with oil using a brush to soften it.
5. Sprinkle beeswax (or vegetable wax) on the fabric. The more you add, the stiffer the Bee Wrap will be.
6. Cover everything with a second sheet of baking paper to protect the iron.
7. Run your iron (without steam) over the parchment paper to spread the wax smooth and even.
8. Wait a minute so as not to burn yourself, then carefully peel off the baking paper from above to check that the wax is well distributed on the fabric. If necessary, add wax to areas where it is missing and go over again.
9. Let the fabric dry a little, then carefully peel it off the second baking paper. You can reuse the baking paper sheets to make other Bee Wraps.
10. Your Bee Wrap is finished! Crumple it slightly so it sticks more easily to food or your container.

Bee Wrap DIY in the oven ♨️

You can also opt for the oven method to make your DIY Bee Wraps, although it takes longer because you have to preheat the oven.

However, this method is less effective than the iron because the oven does not distribute the wax as evenly.

If you still want to use this method, here are the steps to follow:

1. Preheat your oven to 100°C.
2. Cut the piece of fabric to the desired size.
3. Place a sheet of baking paper on a baking tray suitable for the oven.
4. Place your fabric coupon on the sheet of baking paper.
5. Sprinkle the beeswax or spread it if it is melted in a bain-marie.
6. Cook your Bee Wrap for no more than 4 minutes.
7. Take it out of the oven and check that it is coated with wax all over.

How to maintain your Bee Wrap?

Bee Wraps are designed to be reusable and durable, but they require proper maintenance to remain effective for a long time.

Here are some simple tips for maintaining your Bee Wrap:

Wash your Bee Wrap after each use

After using your Bee Wrap to wrap food, it is important to clean it before using it again.

To do this, follow these steps:

Wash your Bee Wrap by hand in cold water: As Bee Wraps are coated in beeswax, hot water may melt the wax, reducing its effectiveness. Wash it gently using a soft sponge or your hands.

Use a little mild soap if necessary: ​​If your Bee Wrap has stubborn stains, you can use a little mild soap to remove them. Be sure to rinse the Bee Wrap well after using the soap.

Air dry: Once washed, gently wipe the Bee Wrap with a clean cloth, then let it air dry. Avoid using heat sources to speed up drying, as this may damage the wax.

Give your Bee Wrap a facelift

Over time and repeated use, the beeswax on the Bee Wrap can wear away and lose its effectiveness.

Don't worry, it's easy to give your Bee Wrap a facelift by reapplying beeswax.

Here's how to do it:

Deep Clean the Bee Wrap: Before reapplying wax, make sure the Bee Wrap is clean by following the washing steps mentioned previously.

Place the Bee Wrap on a sheet of baking paper: To protect your work surface, place a sheet of baking paper on a table or wooden board.

Reapply beeswax: Sprinkle or spread beeswax granules onto the Bee Wrap. You can also melt the wax in a water bath and spread it on the fabric.

Place the Bee Wrap in the oven: If you prefer to use the oven method, preheat your oven to 100°C, place the Bee Wrap on a baking tray lined with baking paper, and cook for approximately 4 minutes. Make sure the wax is evenly distributed throughout the fabric.

Let it dry: Once the wax is reapplied, let the Bee Wrap dry before using it again.

Where to buy Bee Wraps?

If you don't have the time or resources to make your own Bee Wraps, don't worry!

You can find them ready-made in zero-waste grocery stores, organic stores and even some designer markets.

Additionally, some online brands, such as Oceansrespect, also offer great eco-friendly Bee Wraps .

Food charlottes: another alternative to disposable packaging

In addition to Bee Wraps, food charlottes are another excellent zero-waste alternative to replace disposable packaging.

The charlottes are washable and reusable fabric dish covers.

They are often equipped with an elastic band to easily cover bowls, salad bowls, dishes and jars.

Bee Wrap or Charlotte, what is the difference?

You might wonder what the difference is between Bee Wraps and food charlottes. In reality, these two alternatives are complementary:

Bee Wraps are perfect for wrapping food directly, storing it in the refrigerator or taking it on a picnic.

They effectively replace plastic films and aluminum foil while being reusable and durable.

Food charlottes, for their part, are ideal for covering dishes and containers directly, which avoids transferring the food to another container.

They are easy to use and can be machine washed, making them very practical.

By adopting Bee Wraps and food charlottes, you can help to significantly reduce plastic waste in your kitchen while preserving the freshness of your food in an ecological and responsible way.

These sustainable alternatives are not only good for the environment, but they also bring an artisanal and creative touch to your daily life.

Thus, by using Bee Wraps and food charlottes, you will be able to embrace an eco-responsible lifestyle while contributing to the preservation of our beautiful planet.

There you go, you now know how to make your Bee Wraps at home.

Don't hesitate to share this ecological solution with your loved ones to encourage more people to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly consumption habits!

We hope to have helped you in your zero-waste approach with the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

If you found our article useful, consider sharing it with your loved ones to raise awareness of Bee Wraps and the importance of reducing our impact on the environment.