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.

We don't own any clingfilm. I don't think we ever have. Food goes into the fridge in a plastic box, a jar or something like that. If there's a bowl with soup or whatever in it, it gets an inverted saucer on the top.

Am I the only one who loves the dried slice off the end of a cucumber?

So the beeswax cling cloth looks to be more cost effective than the brown waxed paper bags as you can wash and re use. I will give it a go. Thanks

Seriously can't understand why anyone would bother cling film wrapping cucumber. That's what the salad draw is for. The cut end goes dry so you just cut a sliver off next time you use it.

Bluebell, we use Sistema boxes for sandwiches. DS has one like this and then a smaller one for chopped up fruit and veg.
I use a Lunch Cube

I only really use clingfilm for wrapping things in the fridge but I am trying to cut down and use a lot of takeway containers instead. They're brilliant as they stack nicely to maximise space in the fridge.

Beeswax fabric is great. Also plain fabric, either a bag or a flat piece wrapped round. Secure with elastic band, Velcro, string, tying corners together, whatever really. We make wrappers and bags out of worn out clothes and bedding. They don't need to be pretty so it's fast to do.

@BluebellTheDonkey we have a few reusable sandwich bags and the sandwiches are fine in them- still fresh etc. I just ordered some keep leaf ones at Christmas and haven't use them yet, but they are similar to our other ones so I am sure they will work well. Babi pur and baba me both have a nice range of reusable wraps etc and usually both have a 10% off code on their facebook groups.

We have resolved to try bit harder with single use plastic too. Our reusable straws are great- nicer to use than normal straws as they are a bit wider and go in the dishwasher (kleen kanteen is the make, but there are others). I'm going to start going to a fruit and veg shop to try and reduce the plastic our veggies come in.

McCain's frozen jacket potatoes are ace. I've only just discovered them. They're slow-baked and much fluffier than microwaved from fresh. I can heat them up in the microwave - 5 mins - while making a salad to go with. I've only me to cater for, so big bags of potatoes go off and it's a waste of gas to put the oven on for one potato.

My freezer is full of Pour and Store bags of batch cooking and half-eaten tubs of ice-cream with the odd special offer leg of lamb for family entertaining. I can fit in individually wrapped potatoes in the gaps, but not whole boxes of them.

You can use reusable Bee's Wrap www.thewisehouse.co.uk/ourshop/cat_1076049-BEES-WRAP-NATURAL-FOOD-WRAP.html

Thanks all

Just use what you have at home already. Put smaller plates on top of bowls. Use cups for small stuff and saucers for a lid. I hate wasting money on things to throw away, especially if it is used once and is plastic.

I've just bought some Bee's Wraps.

Had never heard of them but they sound great.

I don't like using cling film and tend to use sealable boxes etc where I can but those wraps look great @Pootleflump76

We use systema sandwich boxes for packed lunches and I have some of their “salad to go” boxes which DS used to take cold pasta to school.

As for cucumber, as others have said it’s already wrapped (and my dog loves the dried end that gets chopped off.)

People used to manage just fine before clingfilm was invented so there must be loads of alternatives.

Has anyone found an alternative to plastic bags for the freezer? We grow a lot of our own food and make loads of soups, casseroles, curries, ratatouille etc, which gets frozen in tupperware type boxes and then transferred to bags.

Just seen about Pour and Store. Not sure if they have made it to France yet, but will have a look.

I got biodegradable cling film in Sainsbury’s the other day.

I just store things in Tupperware in the freezer, I don’t move it into bags.

I've never been able to use clingfilm, haven't had any in the house years

I don't have clingfilm, wouldn't think to buy it.
I have a salad drawer in the fridge, things that are half used like cucumber or lettuce are just put back in there unwrapped. Cut a little bit off the end when you want to use again. I keep soup in sealed containers. I also save all my ice cream and plastic takeaway containers to wash and re-use.

To ask the obvious - why don't you just buy the new biodegradable cling film?

I just bought some this week.

I never wrap half a cucumber or onion, they get used up soon enough

Actually I hardly use cling film at all, I find its pretty shit. Although that may be because it is so old as I never use it

I reuse plastic takeaway containers for pretty much all fridge and freezer storage.

Thanks for the prompt OP, I've been meaning to find an alternative to cling film. I've just bought an assorted pack of the BeeBee wraps, we'll see how it goes!

Biodegradable does not necessarily mean environmentally friendly museum what does it degrade into ?

Oh yay! Glad I found this thread. I’m trying to reduce plastic too.

I’ve bought a boc & roll sandwich wrap thing which is great for covering sandwiches (obviously), but I’ve also been using it to go over random plates of food left over after Christmas.

I don’t actually wrap half eaten cucumbers . Just stick them back in the fridge. They last fine I’m veg drawer.

Did I just say “oh yay”? Sorry.