Beeswax Wraps as an Alternative to Single-Use Plastics

Author

Sarah SkiverFollow

College

College of Engineering and Polymer Science

Date of Last Revision

2023-05-06 08:17:47

Major

Chemical Engineering

Honors Course

CHEE-497

Number of Credits

2

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2023

Abstract

The project goal was to compare the food storage efficacy of sustainable beeswax wraps verses the single-use plastic methods of resealable plastic sandwich bags and plastic cling wrap. The goal was also to test the reusability of the beeswax wraps, as it is a key advantage of beeswax wraps that is advertised. The project purpose was to explore sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to single use plastics, which are harmful to the environment in both their production and their disposal. Food spoilage was compared in beeswax wrap, plastic sandwich bags, and plastic cling wrap, and spoilage was also observed in a washed beeswax wrap to determine its reusability. The spoiled surface area of the food as a function of time was measured to be used as a comparison. The study found that beeswax wrap was more effective for food storage than plastic wrap but less effective than plastic sandwich bags. It also found that the reused beeswax wrap was less effective than the new beeswax wrap, and that washing the beeswax wrap destroyed the moisture barrier of the wrap, as the samples would dry out.

Research Sponsor

Bi-min Zhang Newby

First Reader

Edward Evans

Second Reader

Junpeng Wang

Honors Faculty Advisor

Bi-min Zhang Newby

Proprietary and/or Confidential Information

No

Recommended Citation

Skiver, Sarah, "Beeswax Wraps as an Alternative to Single-Use Plastics" (2023). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1697.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1697