How to Break the Plastic Wrap Habit in Your Kitchen (and What to Use Instead)

Is plastic wrap really the best we can do?

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Let’s talk about plastic wrap. That clingy, crinkly roll we all keep in the drawer—the one that never tears straight and sticks to everything except the bowl you’re trying to cover. It’s convenient until you stop and ask: Is this really the best we can do?

Spoiler: It’s not. And honestly, it’s time to break the habit.

The Trouble With Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap is made from materials like PVDC and LDPE—plastics that don’t break down. They end up in landfills, oceans, and—brace yourself—possibly in our bodies. Microplastics have been found in human blood, lungs, and even the placenta. That’s not just gross—it’s concerning.

Heat things up—like leftovers under plastic wrap—and you may end up with a side of chemical leaching. Not exactly the flavor enhancer you were going for.

And let’s not forget the waste. Plastic wrap is single-use. You use it, toss it, and it sticks around ... forever.

The Good News? You Have Options

You don’t need plastic wrap to keep your food fresh or your sanity intact. These alternatives are reusable, affordable, and far less likely to cling to your elbow while you’re trying to wrap a casserole dish.

Beeswax Wraps

Cloth coated in beeswax, resin, and jojoba oil. Moldable, washable, and compostable. Perfect for cheese, fruit, and sandwiches.

Tip: Warm with your hands to make it stick. Just don’t use it on raw meat.

Silicone Lids and Stretchy Covers

Think yoga pants for your bowls—they stretch and seal like a dream.

Bonus: Dishwasher-safe (top rack!), microwave-friendly, and odor-resistant. Quick rinse or warm soapy wash works too.

Glass Containers

The old reliable. They stack, they seal, they don’t leach. You can microwave them without wondering if you’re nuking your lunch or your immune system.

Cloth Bowl Covers

Elastic-edged, washable, and adorable. Like a shower cap but for salad.

Plates on Bowls

Grandma’s trick still works: Pop a plate on top of a bowl. Zero waste. No drama.

Repurposed Glass Jars

That marinara jar? Wash it and reuse it for soup, chopped veggies, or last night’s chili. Glass never goes out of style.

Reusable Silicone or PVA Zip Bags

These come in sandwich, quart, and gallon sizes—just like disposable baggies but reusable hundreds of times.

Silicone: thick, heat-safe, dishwasher-friendly, and sturdy enough to stand on their own.

PVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate): thinner, softer, BPA-free, and great for snacks, freezer storage, and lunches.

Pro tip: Soak bags in baking soda water if you stored something stinky. Garlic-scented strawberries are not a thing.

How to Make the Habit Stick (Or Unstick in This Case)

Use up your last roll of plastic wrap—and don’t replace it. Treat it like that ex you know better than to call again.

Keep alternatives visible. If they’re buried in a drawer behind the fondue pot, you won’t use them.

Label drawers and bins. One for wraps, one for lids, one for “mystery items.” Because organization = action.

Involve the family. Turn it into a challenge: “Who can go plastic-free the longest?” Bragging rights or bonus dessert make great motivators.

Real Progress, Not Plastic Progression

Will you mess up sometimes? Sure. Will someone slap a big piece of cling film on the lasagna when you’re not looking? Probably. But every swap, every skipped plastic wrap moment—it all adds up. You’re cutting waste, cutting toxins, and setting a great example for your household.

And hey, if you ever need a pep talk, just picture your leftovers wrapped in a cozy beeswax blanket instead of a clingy plastic cape. Much better vibe, don’t you think?

You can find more information on this subject plus details on items mentioned in this column at EverydayCheapskate.com.

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