Alternatives to cling film and sandwich bags

[Squirrelfruitandnutkin]

I’d like to start to reduce the amount of plastic we use. I think starting with single use things like cling film and sandwich bags are a good starting point.
But what do I replace them with?

Dcs need something for sandwiches to go in in lunch bags so they don’t get squished. Is buying Tupperware just as bad? Obv it’s plastic but it would get lots and lots of use rather than the single use bags. Is there something better?

What about cling film?
I don’t have enough plates to use them to cover bowls/ mugs etc in the fridge.
What do you swap cling film for?

Reading this back I sound utterly clueless! 😳

I try and use silver foil but no idea if better tbh

We've always washed out sandwich and other food bags and reused them (my Mum did this also )

I find a damp cloth works as well as cling film for bowls in the fridge.

I know sandwich boxes are plastic but they last for ages. We use them for everything now, though I'd like to use glass for fridge things if we could afford it, and I wasn't so clumsy.

And in the sandwich boxes, kitchen roll works if things need individually wrapping.

I have one of these. It's brilliant.

We also use the plastic takeaway type boxes from Wilkinson which are about £1.20 for five. They get used again and again for all sorts. We rarely use bags, cling film or foil in this house.

I also have lots of tupperware type stuff (lock n lock are a good make ) and glass bowls with plastic lids for use in the fridge and freezer ..

I made my own reusable sandwich wraps once, I am useless with my sewing machine but managed it. It was thin plastic coated fabric on the inside with pretty fabric outside and Velcro to close. Or you can buy them.
Just Google for how to or check eBay/etsy.

I've been wondering the same thing.

We use a lot of clingfilm to cover food in the fridge. Also I freeze a lot of things in sandwich bags as it takes up the least space, e.g. portions of chilli, chopped veg, salmon fillets, raw meat. I don't know what alternative to use that means I can still maximise my freezer storage space.

We use plastic lunchboxes - the Sistema ones - which are good for lunches.

Reallytired foil is better on the one hand as it can be reused and recycled. We can out clean foil in our recycling box.
On the other hand much aluminium is mined from the Amazon rainforest so it may be responsible for deforestation. I'm not sure how you find out where foil has come from or whether it has been recycled. It doesn't seem to be mention it on the packaging.

Beeswrap. A cotton cloth with beeswax. They last about a year. Compostable.

our bowls are made by Frigoverre

For sandwiches a sandwich sized Tupperware, they last about 20 years! I keep old bits and bobs like chipped plates and cupless saucers to cover things.

I looked at beeswax cloths but they seemed very expensive (the ones I saw anyhow).

Raw meat! That’s something I’d forgotten I use sandwich bags for. Not sure what’s a better option there - does putting it in a plastic box mean it gets more freezer burn because of the air? (I usually squeeze air out the bags before sealing.)

I really want to use less single use plastic but need to find a cost effective and sensible way of doing it so I don’t end up buying a tonne of stuff instead

You can get sandwich sized Tupperware

we use lock&lock style glass containers for leftover food etc. they can go in microwave or oven.
systema tubs for sandwiches & snacks.
alfi stainless steel water bottle

I have been making DC's packed lunches for two weeks now and have been taken aback by the amount of plastic we have been using, this thread was the shove I needed to look for reusable snack and sandwich bags, there was a decent selection on Amazon and they were cheaper than the cloth, which wouldn't work for soft fruit which we have.

You can get sandwich Tupperware style boxes and use greaseproof paper to wrap anything likely to explode. I love my fat thermos and salad bix.

What does everyone do for freezing raw meat? That’s what I’m really stuck for.
I’m going to add to my Tupperware and get some sandwich boxes. :)

Plastic itself isn't inherently evil. Its mainly the single use plastic like bags and clingfilm and the non recyclable types of plastic that are the problem. Tupperware does last for years. We have pyrex dishes which have silicone lids. They've lasted for many years and are great since they can go straight from the oven into the freezer (once the lasagne/ crumble/casserole etc has cooled)

He don’t bloody last if you forget and stick them in the oven!

I just ordered some paper sandwich bags from amazon

If I'm freezing raw meat like chicken breasts or sausages or things that can be individual, I put them on baking paper on a baking tray in the freezer and then once frozen put them in a Tupperware type of tub in the freezer. Would be interested to find out how people freeze mince though...

I just bought biodegradable cling film- it even has a use by date!

I've also just bought some biodegradable clingfilm (Bacofoil) from Sainsburys. My kids have the lunch boxes with little compartments but I find that sandwiches go dry/fall to pieces, crackers and things go a bit damp and bendy and cucumber/pepper strips etc dry out if not wrapped. Not sure whether biodegradable clingfilm is really much better though?

Disclaimer: I'm veggie so I'm not expert but when DH buys mince he just freezes it in the packaging it came in.
We also save the plastic containers if we get a take away and use them for freezing stuff. It's still plastic but at least it's getting reused and they stack nicely in the freezer.