To think there’s not much alternative to cling film?

[pandarific]

I’m attempting to use as little plastic as possible, and I hate using cling film and plastic sandwich bags to store food, but thee seems to be a bit of a lack of other options, especially for oddly shaped things.

I’ve got glass Tupperware type storage bowls which are great, but it’s random 3/4 of a cucumber that is awkward to store. Aluminium foil is also awful for the environment... is there anything useful that actually works that I’m missing?

I’ve seen odd silicon disc-like thingies but am suspicious of them.

I use tubs and jars to store odds and ends in the fridge.

Bacofoil do some biodegradable cling film that (apparently) breaks down in 2 years.

Google reusable fabric wax wrap. It's a bit of waxed fabric used like cling film but not good for very messy things. Also easy to make!

I've got some stretchy silicone lids in two sizes that go over our usual bowls. Not the ones that suction on. They have a lip and stretch over the bowl a bit like cling film does. Infinitely washable and reusable.

My mum uses these and washes and reuses them.

www.lakeland.co.uk/1092/20-Lakeland-Stayfresh-Longer-Vegetable-Storage-Bags-%2820-x-23cm%29-

Good for veg at least.

I always use the plastic takeaway-type tubs to store leftovers in (and freeze them in too).

Cucumber doesn't need wrapping, just slice off a very thin bit of the end if it's a bit dry; the skin will protect the rest of it. Cut lemons/limes go face down on a plate. Cheese is kept in a plastic cheese box. Other bowls/plates can be covered with another plate/bowl. I don't buy cling film and never feel the need.

Just put odds in tupperware? I often have a good size tupperware with random veg bits. If the courgette gets dry on the cut bit just slice a bit off (and compost!)

Bowl with upturned plate is good too.

Plate/ mug with sliced side down?

I don't wrap 3/4 of a cucumber.... Am I. Missing something? Just leave it and discard the first sliver

I just use tubs. Or a bowl and plate.
If recipes call for it, to cover dough for example, I'll substitute a clean damp tea towel over a bowl.

And she has some like this as well.

www.lakeland.co.uk/72518/Covermate-12-Assorted-Elasticated-Food-Covers-–-S-M-L-and-XL

We've weaned off cling film. Most things go in tubs, some things go in bowls with a lid on top or a stretchy silicone wrap.

I'm with you Jeremy and trinitybleu just slice off the wrinkly end.

We down a roll of cling film, I think we bought it before we moved here, 4 years ago. I hadn't really considered it before... I may never buy any again

Beeswax wraps can work in place of cling film for a lot of things, particularly wrapping food and sandwiches.

We barely use cling film so have no idea of your traumas.
Veg goes in the veg/salad boxes
Left over food either has a plate put over it or put in tupperware if its odorous.
Need more examples of when you use cling film and I'm sure we can help you out with some alternatives...

I've just individually wrapped in cling film 12 frozen jacket potatoes, 3 boxes for £5 in Iceland, because I haven't got room in my freezer for the boxes but can tuck individual potatoes in odd corners.

Any ideas for a substitute wrapping in these circs?

Does a 3/4 cucumber need wrapping?

Thymeout. Either I would have tried to put them all in one large container, but that was less volume than original packaging. Or unhelpfully maybe not bought something that couldnt fit? Finally maybe in good quality zip locks that i would reuse as last resort (i have one in my freezer for stock bits and have had it over a year).

@CuriousaboutSamphire thank goodness, thought I was missing something!!!

Incorrect - there is a fantastic alternative. Beeswax cotton foodwraps.

I got some for Christmas. You use the heat of your hand to seal them. They are fantastic, have wrapped all sorts just in the last week and my cheese wrapping origami has been very satisfying.

clingcloths.com/

are the ones I got but others are available. Once they are used up, after about a year, you can compost them.

I put things on plates and put small clothes or a tea towel over it. Then put them in the fridge.

I NEVER use clingfilm to store food! What am I missing??

Cucumber, half a pepper, half an avocado etc go in the salad box at the bottom of the fridge, as do mushrooms and basically everything that is vegetation. I cut the end bits off cucumber or whatever. I re-use storage boxes for left over food or just put them in a bowl with a plate over the top.

I like the look of those lid things.

It’s not me who’s U about wrinkly ends of cucumbers and lemons etc, it’s dh! And we ALWAYS have half an onion knocking around wrapped up - hate that.

Agree with the poster who has the baked potato issue - freezer not big enough for individual boxes with knobbly / uneven / long and thin things in, so they end up in cling film. For example, a whole trout - awkward shape. Naan breads / pitta breads / loaves of bread which will go off if left out.

Is foil really so bad? It's probably made from recycled metal, can be recycled again, and if it does end up in landfill I believe it's nowhere near as harmful to the environment as plastics.

Waxed paper, on the other hand, usually can't be recycled.

Ooooh I like those beeswax cloths!!

Oh I'm so glad I read this thread as cutting down on single use plastics is one of my new years resolutions.

Thank you!