(1) PROJECT PROFILE
Project Title: Beeswax Cloth/ Beeswax wrap: An eco-friendly way to preserve food.
Names of Project Proponent/s: Shakira Michelle M. Angeles
Region: III
Division: Pampanga
School: Pulung Santol National High School
Grade Level: 9
(2) CATEGORY OF RESEARCH
(4) THEME
Life Science
Environmentally Friendly
(3)
Individual
(5) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this study is to find a substitute for plastic bags and plastic wrap that people
may use to store their food using beeswax cloth. Plastic pollution is still a major problem in
the Philippines. A call has gone out for waste management organizations, producers, and
merchants to collaborate on finding ways to lessen plastic pollution in the Philippines and if
people will use beeswax cloth this is a natural, environmentally friendly substitute for singleuse products like plastic bags, plastic wrap, and wax paper, the beeswax food wraps is the best
way to lessen the plastic pollution in our country.
(6) INTRODUCTION
Beeswax food wraps are becoming more and more well-liked as a greener, more
sustainable alternatives to single-use items like plastic bags, plastic wrap, and wax paper.
Beeswax wraps are sold with the claim that they are antibacterial and prolong the freshness of
food. However, there is little proof to back up these statements. There have been claims that
beeswax possesses antibacterial qualities. Gram positive, gram negative, and fungus may all
be inhibited by beeswax. Additionally, it has been noted that under laboratory settings, cloth
coated with beeswax demonstrates biostatic and biocidal activity. There aren't many
prospective studies examining beeswax covers' capacity to prevent food spoiling. The goal of
this study was to compare the ability of beeswax-impregnated cotton cloth to typical food
storage methods in preventing food contaminated.
(6.1) RATIONALE
Bees wax wrap is created by layering food-grade beeswax, rosin (a type of plant resin), and
coconut or jojoba oils on top of an underlayer of fabric, most frequently cotton. As a result, a
sticky yet flexible cloth that can be utilized as place of Cellophane is produced.
Beeswax food wrap is not only a fantastic substitute for single-use plastics in the house, but it
is also adaptable and simple to use. The wrap can be simply molded to serve as a lid to cover a
container, to transport snacks and consumables, or to keep fruit with just the natural warmth of
your hands and the application of some pressure (Jennifer Hubbert).
Beeswax wraps are items of clothing that have been covered in pure beeswax, occasionally
with the addition of oil and tree resin. They are used to seal or package food and are moldable
and slightly sticky. Beeswax wraps are also biodegradable, non-toxic, and reusable.
This study confirmed that food wrap products containing beeswax are excellent at preventing
food spoilage and inhibiting the spread of hazardous food-borne pathogens. Beeswax has
natural antibacterial and anti-fungal characteristics, making it extremely sanitary. (Deanna,
2022)
(6.2) SIGNIFICANCE
Traditional cling wrap and plastic/freezer bag products can be replaced with beeswax wraps,
which are organic, plastic-free, and waste-free. They can be used to seal your food in a sweet
and sustainable way hence the name "beeswax food wraps"
The following are the significance of the study:
1. Beeswax wraps last ages and save you money
2. Beeswax wraps help food stay fresh for longer
3. Beeswax wraps are home compostable
4. They help the environment.
(6.3) SCIENTIFIC BASIS
Beeswax is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, free fatty acids, esters of fatty acids and fatty
alcohol, diesters, and foreign compounds with about 300 components.
The majority of beeswax produced is used for technical purposes (candles, modelling,
polishes, etc.). In addition, it is also used in cosmetics, food packaging, processing and
preservation and in medicine (coating pills, for its antimicrobial properties)
(6.4) OBJECTIVES
General:
Everyone is accountable for protecting the environment. The small things add up, and it all
starts with the stuff you use every day at home. It's time to stop using plastic wrap and start
using environmentally friendly items instead, like beeswax wraps, which are advertised as a
sustainable and reusable alternative to plastic bags.
Specific:
1. The goal is to reduce litters, and that is precisely what you get from beeswax wraps.
2. Using beeswax in wraps can significantly minimize food wastage.
3. Reduce pollutants that harm the environment.
(7) REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The biggest challenge to becoming 'greener' these days is finding suitable alternatives to
our carbon-based conveniences. Items such as plastic wrap and Ziploc bags became props
for households. Plastic packaging can extend the shelf life of fresh foods such as meat by
up to four to five days. However, the environmental costs of non-recycled materials are
generally substantial. Of his 4,444 plastic his packages of his 78 million tons produced in
2013, 40% ended up in landfills, according to a study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
(MacArthur, 2022)
The wraps and bags that often do not enter the recycling stream.
But the beekeeper may have found the answer. And they have early pioneers (and bees)
who provided the solution by the beeswax long before self-adhesive film was on
the market. The ancient Egyptians used it as an antiseptic in many functions including
writing in. Artists use it to strengthen clay in sculpting and model making. These days, it's
a magical ingredient in, from candy to candles. (Jan Lee,2017)
Many of us are trying to reduce our plastic waste and the kitchen is a great place to start
It may be convenient to use adhesive film to store lunch boxes and food, but it takes
hundreds of years to decompose, so it stays that way long after you've finished using it.
Tin foil is recyclable, but its production uses more water and energy than plastic and emits
tons of greenhouse gases. But there is one eco-friendly, inexpensive and practical natural
product. Beeswax food wrap. (Amie Pearce,2022)
(8) METHODOLOGY
Materials:

100% cotton fabric

Scissors or pinking shears

Beeswax pastilles or shaved block beeswax.

Something to hang the wraps up to dry

Parchment paper or tin foil

Baking sheet(s) and oven

paint brush.
Procedure
Step 1. Cut the fabric into desired shapes and sizes of your choice. (See common size
suggestions in the notes below).
Step 2. Preheat oven to lowest setting (150-220F).
Step 3. Line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper or tin foil, and lay fabric on top.
Step 4. Sprinkle a modest amount of beeswax pastilles over the surface of the fabric. See
photos above for example.
Step 5. Place in oven until wax fully melts and soaks into fabric, approximately 5 minutes.
Step 6. Remove from oven and use a brush to spread the melted wax evenly across the fabric
(working from center outwards). Work quickly before wax begins to harden.
Step 7. Immediately hang to dry while still wet and pliable. If needed, place back in the oven
to re-melt and then hang.
Step 8. Allow to fully dry, and then they're ready!
Step 9. Use your homemade beeswax wraps to cover bowls, food containers, or directly
around food. Do not use in contact with raw meat.
Step 10. Wash beeswax wraps with cold to lukewarm water and mild soap. Air dry before
folding and storing.
(9) EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS
The goal of this study is to encourage everyone to use beeswax wrap rather than plastic wrap.
By using beeswax covers to store leftovers, we can end the widespread problem of food waste.
They are organic and non-wasteful. They are great for transporting food as well as for storing
leftovers. They offer a variety of advantages for the environment and way of life.
REFERENCES:
1.
Pinto, Crystal T.; Pankowski, Jarosław A.; Nano, Francis E. (22). "The AntiMicrobial Effect of Food Wrap Containing Beeswax Products". Journal of
Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences. 7 (2): 145–
148. doi:10.15414/jmbfs.2017.7.2.145-148. ISSN 1338-5178.
2.
"Food Waste Facts". OzHarvest. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
3.
"The problem of food waste". OLIO. Retrieved 2019-14-10
4. Pouton, Ella Plumanns (2018-08-14). "Buying reusable coffee cups won't solve our
environmental problems
5. Cat, D. (2022, October 25). DIY: Homemade beeswax wraps (reusable food wraps) ~
Homestead and chill. Homestead and Chill. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://homesteadandchill.com/diy-homemade-beeswax-wraps/
6. Vrachovska, M. (2022, October 6). Why should we reduce the use of plastic. Almost
Zero Waste. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://www.almostzerowaste.com/reduce-plastic-waste/
7. Constantino. (n.d.). Why Plastic Pollution in the Philippines is So Severe. Giving
Compass.
8. Todini, K. R. (2022, February 11). Is Beeswax Wrap Eco-Friendly? Fork in the
Road. https://www.forkintheroad.co/beeswax-wrap-eco-friendly/
9. Lee, J. (2017, August 18). The industrious bee: Replacing plastic products with
beeswax. TriplePundit. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2017/industrious-bee-replacing-plastic-productsbeeswax/15776#:~:text=The%20Industrious%20Bee%3A%20Replacing%20Plastic
%20Products%20with%20Beeswax
10. Pearce, A. (2022, July 27). Why you should use beeswax wraps. Good Housekeeping.
Retrieved November 2, 2022, from https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-andhome/household-advice/a30651443/beeswax-food-wrap/#:~:text=Are%20beeswax
%20wraps%20a%20good%20plastic%2Dfree%20alternative%20to%20clingfilm