Rethinking cling film: The unsung hero in the fight against food waste

Rethinking cling film: The unsung hero in the fight against food waste 

When it comes to sustainability, cling film has something of a bad rap.  

As a consumable kitchen product, usually made from plastic, cling film is often thought of as an environmental problem. Stories of plastic waste piling up in landfills and the ocean are common, and in this light, it can be easy to paint cling film as a villain.  

However, this need not be the case. Used correctly, cling film’s inherent protective characteristics can benefit the environment by reducing the amount of food that is unnecessarily thrown out. As more eco-conscious restaurants tune into the problem of food waste, re-thinking the sector’s relationship with wrapping could help the sector protect its food and the planet alike. 

Food waste is an environmental catastrophe. According to WRAP, the climate action NGO, approximately 10.7 million tonnes of food waste is generated in the UK each year, with an estimated value of around £19 billion. The hospitality and foodservice sectors are responsible for 10% of this by weight, meaning vast quantities of greenhouse gas emissions sit squarely on the industry’s shoulders. 

When perfectly good food is thrown out, all the resources that went into its production – from the land and water used to the energy utilised in processing and transporting – are wasted. If food is left to rot, it produces methane, an incredibly potent greenhouse gas with a worse effect on global warming than carbon dioxide. Data suggests that as much of 6% of all greenhouse gas emissions produced worldwide come from food waste in some form.   

Although cling film may feel like a small detail in the kitchen, its impact is not to be understated. When it comes to keeping food fresh, there is nothing better than a solid protective barrier to protect ingredients and leftovers alike. Cling films such as Prowrap separate food from the air around it, protecting it against spoilage and oxidation. For foods like fruits, vegetables, and meat, which can deteriorate quickly when exposed to the air, this can significantly improve their shelf life.  

Wrapping ingredients and leftovers also stops airborne contaminants from reaching the food’s surface, which combined with the other benefits makes clingfilm a leading choice for preserving food items and preventing waste. Just a small amount of film can be used to prolong the life of kilograms of food, meaning even a tiny piece can have a significant effect in terms of protecting the planet. 

This is not to mention the efficiency benefits of wrapping compared with other preservation solutions. Cling film is flexible enough to be used regardless of a product’s shape or size and ensures high shock and impact resistance. Used alongside a high-speed dispenser like Speedwrap 300 or 450, kitchens can save time, increase productivity, and minimise unnecessary waste. 

Getting the most out of clingfilm may require some forethought and planning. Ensuring a perfect airtight seal between the wrap and container will prolong freshness for longer and labelling items or otherwise differentiating them can help to prevent cross-contamination. Wrapping individual fresh products can also help to reduce the amount of moisture lost through evaporation. However, if proper steps are taken, a simple wrapping solution can make a real difference to the environment. 

Although lofty goals and sweeping actions on the environment catch more headlines, sometimes it is the little things – like switching to a more effective food preservation regime – that have the biggest impact. Rather than continuing to be the restaurant sector’s sustainability skeleton in the closet, rethinking the relationship with wrapping could reveal a useful tool in the fight against climate change. 

To see the full range of Prowrap films, foils, and parchments, and to discover how Speedwrap dispensers can aid in the fight against food waste, please visit www.wrapex.com