Cling film is killing the planet – try these alternatives

Single-use food coverings are a sin against the planet. The eco warriors tell us so, and the figures back them up: for example, in Britain we use 1.2 billion metres of cling film every year, and almost all of it isn’t compostable. But even our grandmothers, who thought ‘upcycle’ meant slogging a push bike to the top of a hill, would have been just as appalled. The gung-ho way we rip off sheets of plastic, foil and paper, use them once and chuck them straight in the bin defies common sense.

Capitalising on our guilty conscience, there’s now a whole industry around reusables, from silicone lids to beeswax food wraps to compostable cling film made from corn starch (yes, really). So which ones are worth the investment? Which are best left on the shelf? And when should we do the obvious, and simply reuse what we’ve already got? Harnessing the spirit of my granny, I take a closer look.  

The usual suspects

Cling film

Most areas don’t accept cling film for recycling, but compostable versions have improved. Lakeland has one made from polyester film derived from fossil origin that’s no more annoying than regular cling film, but it is more expensive (£3.99, lakeland.com); while Eco Green Living has one made from corn starch (£3.99, ecogreenliving.co.uk). Compostable cling film will break down within 12 months – but only if it’s put into household food composting bins. It causes problems in the recycling plant if it is put in the plastic recycling, and in the anaerobic conditions of landfill it won’t break down.

Foil

You can reuse foil several times if it’s kept flat – scrunches weaken the structure. Aluminium foil can also be recycled, and unlike plastic it doesn’t degrade in the process. According to a campaign by the Co-op, recycling aluminium uses 95 per cent less energy than producing it from raw materials. Wipe it clean, scrunch into a ball with all the other bits you have, and once it’s about tennis ball size, put it in kerbside recycling with the tins or take it to a supermarket with an aluminium recycling point. 

Baking paper

Paper seems an environmentally friendly choice, but the type of non-stick coating will limit whether it’s recyclable – so check the packaging, and bear in mind that if it has food residue on, it’s persona non grata in the recycling box. If it is clean enough to be recycled, it’s clean enough to reuse. Past reuse? Some can go in the compost, but again check the packaging. White, bleached paper is often not compostable because of chlorine used in the process, and even paper that looks brown can contain bleached pulp. If You Care parchment paper is chlorine free and compostable (£4.55, ifyoucare.co.uk). 

The alternatives

For covering dishes in the fridge

Silicon covers are reusable multiple times. If the fit is good they are watertight and airtight. They are meant to stretch to fit, although they can tear if overextended. You’ll need a range of sizes to fit different containers, and the square and oblong 
ones can be hard to get on, while the round ones are more obliging. Available in supermarkets, but stretchier, better ‘mob cap’ versions are sold by Ikea and Kuhn Rikon. I like the Overmätt at Ikea (£5 for a set of two).

For covering food in the microwave

I’m devoted to my set of silicone lids. Unlike the covers they aren’t stretchy, but sit on top of the bowl, forming a tight vacuum-like seal which is easily broken by lifting the side. Best of all, they are heatproof, so can be used in the microwave (they will self-vent) and on pans on the stove or in the oven. Great for covering cakes to stop them getting too brown. I like the Silicone Pan Bowl Lids from Handy Kitchen at Dunelm (£13 for a set of five).

For covering food in the oven

The simplest method is to use a deep baking tin and cover it with a larger tin. Anodised aluminium ovenware is highly rated by chefs. I like the Aluminium Baking Pan with Lid by Samuel Groves (£28, divertimenti.co.uk). A neat set whose lid doubles as a baking tray.

For wrapping food

Beeswax wrappers, the go-to choice of the eco-generation, are wax-saturated cloths that seal around food just like foil. They need handwashing in cold water (or the wax will melt) with washing-up liquid, and drying before reuse. They do get a bit stinky after using with cheese, and aren’t recommended for wrapping meat or fish. The Beeswax Wrap Co sells wraps by the roll as well as pre-cut, in jolly prints including Emma Bridgewater designs. From £9.50.

For baking and roasting

The reusable silicone liners available in supermarkets and kitchen shops do the job admirably for everything from meringues to roasting tin dinners, and can be stored rolled up. It can be cut to size for reusable cake tinliners too – saving 
that tedious job every time you whip up a Victoria sponge. Or just buy ready-cut liners – the nifty No-Stik Reusable Non-Stick Cake Tin Liner (£6, johnlewis.com) lines the base and sides in one.

For wrapping sandwiches

Reusable sandwich wrappers are perfect alternatives to greaseproof paper and serve as a placemat/plate as well. The Wrapper (£8.99) is made in Scotland with the help of inmates at Kilmarnock Prison and comes in dozens of designs – including tartan.

Read last week's column: You're overpaying for dishwater tablets – buy these ones instead

What alternatives to cling film do you use to cover food? Tell us in the comments section below