Eco-Activity: Bee-ing Eco With Beeswax

You might not think twice about covering your leftovers in plastic wrap, but it’s just another single-use plastic that’s hurting our planet. There are lots of reusable products you can use for storing your food instead, like the DIY beeswax wraps in today’s Eco-Activity!

Check out the instructions below, or follow along with this video.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 100% cotton fabric
• Beeswax (check local farms, craft stores, or farmer’s markets!)
• Scissors
• A tool to spread the melted beeswax with, like a paintbrush, butter knife, or pallet knife
• Something to air dry the beeswax wraps with, like a hanger or clothespin
• An adult to help

Here’s how to make your wraps:

1. Cut out different sized square and rectangular shapes from your cotton fabric—choose sizes that will fit your lunchbox or the food dishes that you’ll be covering.

2. Place the sheets of cotton onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a reusable baking mat.

3. Spread 1-3 tablespoons of beeswax pellets/shavings over half the cotton sheet. The amount you use will depend on the size of your fabric.

4. Fold the cotton sheets in half and place in the oven at 200°F for 3-4 minutes, or until the beeswax is melted.

5. Take the baking sheet out of the oven, unfold the fabric and spread the melted beeswax over the entire thing. Be careful when you do this because it could be hot!

6. Hang dry it for about 5 minutes. When the time is up, the wraps should be sticky but not overly so, and they shouldn’t be damp at all.

7. Use your reusable wraps for covering leftover food, wrapping up lunchbox snacks, and more! Remember to only wash your wrap in cool water because hot water might melt the wax.

The Earth Rangers App is where kids go to save animals! It’s free to join and you’ll have access to real-world Missions like this one. Plus, you can adopt an animal to support conservation projects, and learn all about animals in the Wild Wire Blog. Find activities like this, and so much more in the App!