Plastic baggies are a gear staple in any outdoor person’s kit — they are infinitely useful for holding snacks, protecting your phone, or storing dirty laundry. But they also pretty bad for the environment. To help us cut down on our use of plastics, Patagonia partnered with Bee’s Wraps to introduce a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap and baggies.
The reusable Bee’s Wraps are made of GOTS-certified organic cotton, sustainably sourced beeswax from the United States, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin — a far cry from petro-chemicals and other toxins you may not want cozying up to your food. This combination of ingredients creates a malleable food wrap that can be used again and again.
Handmade by a Green America-certified team of women in Vermont, these convenient, versatile wraps can cover your bowls, protect your produce, and swaddle your snacks and sandwiches. Use the warmth of your hands to form a Bee’s Wrap over the top of a bowl or a piece of cheese. The wrap will hold its shape when it cools, creating a seal.
To clean, simply wash the wrap with cool water and gentle soap. Air dry, fold and store in a drawer or in a basket on the counter. The beeswax and jojoba oil have antibacterial qualities that help to keep your food fresh and allow you to use the Bee’s Wrap again and again.
At the end of the wrap’s useful life, cut the wrap into strips to add to your compost heap, or wrap them around pieces of kindling and use as a natural and effective fire starter — the wraps are 100% compostable and biodegradable.
Bee’s Wraps come in a variety of sizes and styles. The sandwich wraps remind me of the cool wax paper wraps you get on your sandwiches at classic delis, complete with string to keep your lunch secure. They may not replace plastic baggies for everything you do outdoors, but they make the perfect wrap for all your ride and hiking snacks or camping food. And that’s a good start.
The Patagonia Sandwich Wrap costs $11 or get a set of Three Assorted Wraps for $20. The Patagonia Bee’s Wraps would make great stocking stuffers or host gifts this holiday season.