Aco Wrap, an eco-friendly, sustainable and reusable beeswax food storage

Plastic food wrap is a kitchen staple for many households. Though this everyday food storage product is portable, cheap, and pliable, there are a few setbacks that we really can’t ignore: it is single-use, non-biodegradable, and unsustainable.

Casa Fline, an ethical select shop based in Tokyo, announced in December that they now stock a reusable beeswax food wrap called Aco Wrap. This eco-friendly wrap is made with four natural materials: beeswax, jojoba oil, tree resin and organic cotton. A mixture of the first three ingredients is soaked in a thin cotton cloth, making it a durable, easy-to-use product. Beeswax and jojoba oil are naturally antibacterial and retain moisture, making Aco Wrap a perfect alternative to plastic wrap. Furthermore, the entire manufacturing process is done in Japan, from the collection of beeswax in Gifu-located apiaries, to the material cutting and dyeing.

Aco Wrap’s one big advantage over traditional single-use wrap is its reusability. This sturdy wrap can last from six months to one year if it is washed gently with cold water and air-dried before using it again. The wrap is also fully biodegradable. When you have finished using it, you can simply throw it onto your garden and it will blend back in with the soil.

Aco Wrap products come in three sizes, and can easily cover any kind of food; small (13cm in diameter), medium (19cm) and large (33cm). So, you can replace your plastic wrap with Aco Wrap for a range of items from small bits of lemon or sandwiches, to even large dishes or cooking pots.

The wrap comes in different colors, including beeswax yellow, jade and mud brown, all of which are produced with natural ingredients sourced in Japan. Additionally, the color ideas come from the two-color combination Kasane-Irome, which was often found in the attire of noblewomen in the Heian Period. These calm colors can be easily matched with various seasonal vegetables and dishes, adding a warm feel to your kitchen.

Aco Wrap can be easily softened by the warmth of hands, and quickly molded around food or over bowls. Some reviewers described its texture as swede-like, as though they were “gently tucking food into bed.” Going green with Aco Wrap reminds us of the pure joy of a mindful life. While it is a small action against the giant, sticky problem of plastic waste, making conscious change can benefit us greatly in the long term.

[Reference] PR TIMES
[Reference] Kyoto University of Art and Design