How can we avoid unnecessary waste while preserving our food effectively?
This Lesson Plan is part the Crafts, Home, and Sustainability modules of SustainEd Farms' virtual programming.
Background: Making a Beeswax Cloth Wrap
Using plastic saran wrap to help preserve food in the refrigerator is a common and effective practice; however, it is difficult to use “clingy” plastic wrap more than once, and the wrap often ends up in the trash as a result. An alternative to plastic wrap is to use beeswax cloth wrap, which can be made at home using a few simple ingredients. The end product reduces unnecessary plastic waste and keeps food air-tight for long storage.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to...
Make beeswax cloth wrap in order to preserve food
Reduce plastic waste by using alternative, reusable materials
Academic Vocabulary
beeswax /ˈbēzˌwaks// noun. - the material made by bees to produce honeycomb
Directions
1. Gather your materials. You will need the following supplies:
piece(s) of cotton cloth (any size works) · resin (0.35 oz) · beeswax (1.25 oz) · jojoba oil (1 tablespoon) · scale · two different sized pots (double boiler) · water · stirring utensil · thick paintbrush · parchment paper · pan · clothespins or hanger
2. Watch the following Youtube video to see a demonstration of how to make beeswax cloth. Then, follow along with the remainder of the lesson by reading the steps below.
3. Wash the cloth that will be used, and cut it into any desired shape.
4. Place the jojoba oil, resin, and beeswax in the top [smaller] pot of the double boiler. In the bottom pot, add an inch or two of water. Place the top pot onto the bottom pot, and bring the water to a simmer. Let the mixture heat for half an hour or so, stirring occasionally.
5. While the mixture heats, place the cloth on top of a piece of larger parchment paper, and put the paper on a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 300 °F.
6. Once the mixture has become smooth and fluid-like, remove it from the heat and use a paintbrush to apply the waxy substance to the cloth. Be sure to apply an even coat across the entire piece of cloth (both sides).
7. Place the waxy cloth into the oven for about 2 minutes. Remove the cloth when it seems to appear wet, and hang the beeswax cloth out to dry using clothespins or a hanger. When dry, use it to save your leftover food!
Additional Resources:
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