How to Keep Food Fresh (without plastic wrap)

Clingfilm used to be made from PVC. But now it’s been replaced by a material that doesn’t even stick that well. The ‘nurdles’ that end up in the oceans look like fish food, so get eaten by marine creatures. Choosing alternatives is not just better for the planet and your health, but cheaper too.

Some supermarket recycling bins accept clean clingfilm if you want to get rid of it (used clingfilm must be binned) Also read our post on food safety for people and pets.

Reusable Colourful Silicone Food Bags

MoonMoon Silicone Food Bags (use code NATURALLY10 for 10% discount) are in an array of colours, so you can easily mix and match. Designed to replace clingfilm, you can buy sets in various shapes and sizes. You can even send back used silicone bags for recycling.

These flexible, airtight pouches come in sizes for snacks, sandwiches, batches of soup, and even whole loaves. They press flat when empty, stand tall when full, and seal tight to lock in freshness. The result is less food waste and less plastic in the bin. Over time, that also means money saved, as they get used again.

Silicone has a long service life, and when it reaches the end, specialist facilities can handle silicone recycling. Check local schemes or take-back programmes in your area. In the meantime, durable build quality reduces replacement needs, which is a win for the planet and your wallet.

Food-grade silicone is non-toxic and free from BPA and phthalates. It does not leach harmful chemicals into food, even when heated or chilled. That gives peace of mind for parents packing fruit, yoghurt, or hot leftovers.

Practical Ways to Use MoonMoon Bags

Portion snacks for the week

Fill small pouches with nuts, grapes, or carrot sticks.
Label by day to remove morning stress.
Stash in the fridge door for grab-and-go ease.

Prep sandwiches and wraps

Use medium bags to keep bread soft and fillings fresh.
Add a folded napkin to absorb extra moisture for salads or tomatoes.

Freeze soups and sauces

Choose the XL, free-standing bag for easy filling.
Cool the soup, then fill, press out excess air, and seal.
Lay flat to freeze. Once solid, stack upright like books to save space.

Marinate tofu

Add marinade and tofu to a bag, then seal.
Massage gently to coat evenly and store in the fridge.
The airtight seal helps flavours infuse without spills.

Organise the pantry

Decant grains, pasta, or dried fruit into labelled bags.
Clear bags make stock levels obvious at a glance.

Travel and lunches

Pack sliced fruit, vegan yoghurt, or salad components separately to keep textures crisp.
Slip a small bag into a school lunch or work tote without leaks.

Sous-vide cooking

Many home cooks use silicone bags for low-temperature water baths.
Check your device’s recommendations and follow safe cooking guidelines.

Space-saving tips

Expel extra air before sealing to reduce bulk.
Freeze liquids flat, then stand them upright once frozen.

Easy Cleaning and Maintenance Routines

Clean on the top rack of the dishwasher or rinse with warm soapy water. Let the bags dry fully to prevent odours, then store flat. For stains from tomato sauce or turmeric, soak in warm water with baking soda or a little cleaning vinegar, then wash as normal.

If a seal feels tacky, wash the groove carefully and let it air-dry before closing. Regular, thorough drying keeps everything fresh.

Avoid sharp bones, skewers, or cutlery that can nick the silicone.
Do not overfill to the point of straining the seal.
Store bags flat or upright with the seal slightly open to help airflow after drying.

Stasher Silicone Bowls and Lids (food storage)

Stasher is a North American brand of reusable silicone bowls and lids, to save on the massive plastic waste of disposable clingfilm and aluminium foil, to keep food fresh.

You may be able to find these in kitchen stores, or else it’s a one-time purchase from abroad, as we don’t have many things similar in England yet – why not? Wholesale orders are available.

These bowls and lids are easy to wash and rinse by hand, or just stick them in the dishwasher. They are very durable, and can cope with most things (apart from sharp knives and puppy teeth!)

Made with food-grade silicone, the items are easy to recycle at end of use, and also don’t break down into millions of microplastics, like conventional plastic.

Leaving these bowls and lids in the sun for a few hours, should help to ‘bleach’ stains. For odours, just soak in a 50/50 warm water and cleaning vinegar solution for several hours. Prevent stains and mould by using a plastic-free bottle brush to clean out the corners after each use. Then sanitise in boiling water.

The bowls are sold in various sizes, and can be labelled with marker pens, for details and dates etc. They also feature seals, to prevent leaks.

1-Cup Bowl is ideal for trail mix, half a lemon etc, and those last couple of bites of cake that you’re saving for tomorrow. You can also use this to store paperclips on office desks, loose hair pins, or even a waterproof travel container for earbud headphones.
2-Cup Bowls are good for taking cereal to the office, or storing leftovers for lunch. Or even breakfast for a morning hike!
4-Cup Bowls are perfect to freeze big batches of veggie chilli, without worrying about leaks. Be sure to thaw for 24 hours in the fridge and reheat thoroughly, for food safety.
6-Cup Bowls transform from storage containers to serving bowls, ideal for family picnics or potlucks (the seal means food won’t spill in the car on the way home!) You can use these to store and reheat leftover soup.
8-Cup Bowls are big enough to stash full heads of lettuce and other veggies in the fridge, without worrying about plastic bags or letting lettuce go limp. Also good to pack food in bulk for green camping trips.

Stasher Stretch Lids

Stasher Stretch Lids are again made from reusable silicone, you’ll never need to buy plastic wrap or clingfilm ever again! One purchase should last for years, if not a lifetime.

Sold in packs of various sizes, these stretch over bowls, plates and containers to make food storage a breeze. The pack covers all your needs, from covering small jars of food (don’t store opened food in cans) to large mixing bowls.

The lids are airtight and leakproof, to lock in freshness, without plastic waste. The easy-grab tabs make sealing and unsealing effortless and the lids are also dishwasher-safe.

How Fresh Paper Extends Food Shelf Life

Whether you’re tired of wilted veg or mouldy berries, Freshglow is an amazing US invention, inspired by the founder’s Indian grandmother, who used organic spices, to keep food fresh.

FreshPapers are vegan, but their FreshWraps are not (they contain beeswax – find vegan food wraps below).

These papers (for fruits, vegetables, bread & vegan cheese) are impregnated with special blends of spices, and can keep food fresher for longer.

A Set of Beautiful Vegan Food Wraps

These vegan food wraps are made with food-grade plant-based wax and olive oil, they are made from natural cotton fabric and free from palm and soy. They can be washed and reused for six to twelve months, and then biodegrade at end of use.

Not for nut allergies. Due to flammable tree resin, keep away from heat (microwaves, dishwasher, ignitions, ovens). Keep away from pets, due to pine wax.

Food wraps are a bit sticky the first time you use them (the heat of your hands can soften them). You can use them to cover fresh produce (like cut onions and apples) or even keep open bottles of wine fresh.

These are cut by hand, so there may be flecks and sizes vary. Give them a quick clean in cool/cold water, before first use. Air-dry and store in a cool dry place.

Sold in a pack of 3 sizes, each one has a different print. They are made from a blend of organic cotton, jojoba oil, tree resin and carnauba wax.

To use, just activate the wraps by warming and working them into your hands. Then hand-wash with dish soap and cold water, then hang or drape to dry. Keep stored in a cool room temperature location, and reuse for up to 1 year, until no longer waxy.

Then just bin to naturally break down (they are too waxy to break down in a compost bin, and acid may harm compost creatures).

Pretty Linen Food Bowl Covers (from Cornwall)

Helen Round’s Reusable Bowl Covers are made in Cornwall by artisans from linen (from the flax plant). Ideal to keep food fresh without clingfilm, they snugly fit over bowls, trays and plates.

You can also use them int the fridge where (unlike plastic wrap) they let food breathe. Just wipe clean (or launder with a microfibre filter, due to the elasticated hem).

How to Keep Food Fresh (without plastic wrap)