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7 Reusable Alternatives to Cling Film

7 reusable alternatives to clingfilm

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When I was younger I remember my Grandmother had a very impressive larder next to her kitchen. It was filled to the brim with all sorts of homemade goodies. It wasn’t like the larders you see today on Pinterest with matching jars and chalkboard labels. It was a mishmashย of jars, containers, tins and anything else that she could reuse.ย 

For covering leftovers she used to have pretty lace food covers with little beads on the end. Tell me I’m not the only one who remembers these? For things like butter and cheese, she used to have little brown ceramic dishes with lift-off lids. All of these things seemed so normal back then.

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Nowadays cling film has become the norm. The problem is that it’s a single-use product and it always ends up in landfill as it cannot be recycled. It has also been linked to some health concerns, especially when heated in the microwave.

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It’s no secret that plastic waste is becoming a real issue. Today I have put together…

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7 reusable alternatives to cling film

7 reusable alternatives to cling film

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Vegan & Beeswax Food Wraps

Vegan & *Beeswax wraps are becoming increasingly popular. You can either buy some ready-made ones or make your own. My friend and I had a go at making our own and it was surprisingly easy. You can find my tutorial here: How To Make Homemade Beeswax wraps

Making beeswax wraps

BowlOvers

These BowlOvers are designed by a company called Hunter Gatherer based in Dorset. They are made from 100% cotton and are perfect for covering leftovers in the fridge. They can be washed so you can use them again. You can either buy a set of 6, all different sizes, you can buy them in smaller packs or individually. They have several different designs to choose from including Christmas ones.

I’ve put these on my reusable wish list!

BowlOvers

Fancy winning a set of BowlOvers for yourself?

Scroll down to the bottom of the post to enter the giveaway to win one ofย 4 packs of 3.

A Plate

When I asked in our zero waste group what others used instead of clingfilm I found that a lot of people simply use a plate to cover leftovers. This is very cost effective as you don’t need to buy anything.

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Old Plastic Containers

I know we are trying to get away from plastic but if you already have some leftover plastic containers in your home then it’s better to use them than throw them away. Personally, we have a few leftover takeaway containers that I regularly reuse, especially for freezing leftovers.

Glass Jars

Glass jars with lids are perfect for storing leftovers in your fridge. We have a selection of Mason jars that we use. If you don’t have any then you can often find them in charity shops or at car boot sales for very little money.

Glass jars for food storage

Silicone Reusable Lids

Some people opt to use *reusable silicone lids for their leftovers. You can get them in a variety of different sizes to suit your kitchenware.

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Reusable Food Kozy Wrap

These *reusable wraps may not be for everyone as they are made from LDPE #4 plastic, which is low-density polythene but it is widely recyclable. They are also made from BPA, PVC, phthalate, and lead-free materials.

You can use them for storing cheese, wrapping leftovers and for wrapping sandwiches in your pack lunch.ย To reuse you simply hand wash them and air dry.

Food Kozy reusable food wrap

Ask the Expertsย 

I thought it would be nice to share some of the responses that I got when I asked what others in our Zero Waste facebook group used…

Helen:ย ‘I don’t use anything. I use plates and bowls in various combinations to cover food in the fridge.’

Annette:ย ‘My Tupperware type pots get used for this.’

Rosie:ย ‘I have a selection of bowls with lid – Okay some are plastic and others are glass with plastic lids but I have had all of them years and used them so much.’

Tina:ย ‘Takeaway boxes that my friends save for me instead of throwing away.’

Chrystaline: ‘I use jars or other glass containers.’

Katherine:ย ‘Save jam jars with their lids and use these for many things – especially the Bonne Maman style jars which have the wide neck, otherwise I use small lidded pyrex dishes.’

Sharon:ย ‘I use a small plate to cover the bowl of leftover food we keep in the fridge.’ย 

Christina:ย ‘I’ve made my own bees wraps and realised I use specific patterns for specific items, not initially what I had planned but it does really help!’

Kate:ย ‘I have a bag of finely lace dollies with old glass beads all around. They were my Mums and hers before. Goodness knows how old they are. We also use beeswax wraps. I wrote a blog about them with a tutorial’The Beeswax Wrap Revolution

Win A Set of 3 BowlOversย 

I have not 1 but 4 packs of 3 BowlOvers to giveaway today. Set includes 1 Delicious Leftovers, 1 Save Some For Me and a 1 paw print reusable cover.

Win a set of Bowlovers

Enter using the Rafflecopter box below. Terms & conditions apply, please read BEFORE entering. UK entrants only, please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I’d love to know what you currently use to wrap your leftovers?ย 

About Gina Caro

Gina is a content creator and award-winning blogger. Her aim is to help you live a more sustainable & simple life.ย ย Her blog covers zero waste, minimalism, wellbeing & thrift. She currently lives in Cornwall with her partner, two kids and Charles the dog.ย 

67 thoughts on “7 Reusable Alternatives to Cling Film”

    1. Foil (usually aluminum, not tin) is better than cling film in that it can be used several times if the food doesn’t get on it or gets on in a way that’s easily removed. Also, some recycling programs accept aluminum foil if it is clean (but has torn too small to reuse).

  1. I tend to use clingfilm or buy plastic pots but they don’t always last long as they are thin which is why I think these are great so I’d like to change over to them.
    Thanks for the opportunity for prize.

  2. This is such a new, innovative idea that I’ve never come across before – but will be a perfect solution to preserving food in the summer heat!

  3. I use glass jars mostly. I buy peanut butter and salsa in wide-mouthed jars, use the contents, soak off the labels, and reuse them for years!

    I also have some Pyrex containers with plastic lids, which I pack such that the plastic doesn’t touch the food. I’m in the USA, so I appreciate that Pyrex is still made in USA (while so many other products are made in China, etc.).

    Both jars and Pyrex can be stacked in the refrigerator, which I guess would not be possible with cotton covers. I also wonder if cotton covers keep food fresh as long as a solid lid or keep the aroma in that food rather than getting it into everything in the refrigerator.

  4. I usually just use a small plate over a glass bowl, or re-use glass jars and lids. The bowl-over is a great idea. Hopefully it will encourage more people to ditch plastic.

  5. I use pyrex or anchor bowls mostly, but I’d love to have bowl overs or beeswax wraps. I just haven’t made the plunge yet. Thanks for sharing on the #WasteLessWednesday Blog Hop!

  6. I currently use plates but don’t have enough and they take up too much room in the fridge. We still have some cling film and foil which I no longer use but my partner still does so I’d like an alternative he is happy to use too.

  7. Use cling film or foil to cover leftovers, BowlOvers would be better for the environment and my purse, they’re a lot prettier too

  8. Cling film or foil, but it’s such a faff. Either I can’t get the film straight, or the foil rips, or sometimes the film won’t stick to certain materials like plastic and just slides off.

  9. Probably less expensive in the long run, I use a variety of things from cling film, foil, freezer bags and plastic food storage boxes

  10. I like some of your ideas. I personally use Mason jars a lot and reuse the lids after I can with them – you can’t reuse to can but to store food it works quite well. I also use jars that I bought food in as storage containers. I have some glass storage bowls that we bought at Costco that have lock seal lids that can be used in the freezer to the oven that I love and use daily. Congratulations on being being featured on #WasteLessWednesday ! Sharing on tweeter & pinning. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day!

  11. Pinning this now. I have some of these but need to try all of them. If you’re interested, this would make a great addition to my weekly Be Clean Be Green With Kids Link Up. Would love for you to share if you’re interested. Thanks!

  12. I currently use cling film or plastic clip-lock boxes to my shame. My sister is always trying to get me not to due to concerns about chemicals leaching out of the plastic.

  13. I have a ridiculous amount of tupperware. It’s handy to have such a wide variety of sizes but if I’m being honest I have far more than I could ever hope to use at once and it takes up an entire cupboard in the kitchen which could be better used for other things :s

  14. Clingfilm, would love to use this reusable product as it saves money long term, reduces landfill waste and will be a lot less hassle than grappling with annoying clingfilm that never tears properly!

  15. I normally use cling film or sometimes foil if I run out, but these reusables are such a great idea because they reduce waste .x

  16. What should we use to wrap our food for the freezer. Currently I use plastic take way tubs and plastic bags . Will abeeswax type wrap keep food fresh in the freezer

    1. Hi Margaret,

      They have some on the Ethical Superstore website here – Colourworks Silicone Suction Food Covers / Pan Lids (Set of 3) *http://tidd.ly/8f6fc0ce

      and here -Food Huggers Silicone Food Huggers *http://tidd.ly/4bec864b

      They also have these ones although they are plastic – KitchenCraft Set of 7 Plastic Food Bowl Covers *http://tidd.ly/22387717

      I also found these on Etsy – Silicone Food Wrap (8PCS) *http://tidd.ly/297c18e2

      and here on Etsy – Re-useable silicone bowl covers *http://tidd.ly/1e467a9b and here – 1 Set Smart Silicone Stretch Lids 6 size in reusable *http://tidd.ly/7ec70446

      I hope that helps? I’d love to know which ones you choose ๐Ÿ™‚

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