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Shrink Wrap Alternatives

If you have used shrink wrap to wrap and seal gifts, you know the plastic usually needs heat from a hair dryer, for example, for a clinging fit. A variety of products use shrink wrap, made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic film, including frozen foods, toys and games, DVDs and boat coverings. Although it is possible to recycled PVC, this plastic does not break down in landfills and releases dangerous toxins. Use alternatives to PVC and help the environment.

  1. Reusable Plastic Containers

    • Choose safe, reusable plastic containers with lids instead of shrink-wrap. Plastic containers have resin identification codes, usually imprinted at the bottom. You will see numbers from 1 to 7, which represents the resin type used in the plastic. Shrink wrap falls under number 3 for PVC. Select the safer plastic to store food, represented on the bottom by the number 5 for polypropylene (PP).

      If you purchased food already shrink-wrapped, cut out a thin layer of food that contacted the plastic, then transfer the food into a safe, plastic container for storage.

    Glass Containers

    • Store food in glass containers instead of cling wrap, such as glass jars with lids or oven-safe glass dishes with lids. Also, store food in the freezer using covered, glass dishes made for cold temperatures. You can always clean and reuse your glass containers. Glass soft drink and alcohol bottles, as well as glass jars, can safely be recycled. Olympia Public Works Waste Resources of Olympia, Washington, suggests you recycle glass bowls or dishes by donating them to thrift stores.

    Aluminum Foil

    • Invented in 1907, aluminum foil, made up of metal leafs, continues to be a leading household product in North American as well as in Europe. Use aluminum foil instead of shrink wrap to cover foods, for example. You can reuse aluminum foil over and over again. If you get food on it, wash the foil in soap and water. You also can purchase branded 100 percent recycled aluminum foil. If you choose to recycle your foil, make certain you clean it before placing the foil in the recycle bin.

    Non-PVC Shrink Wrap

    • The U.S. has plastic wraps that do not contain PVC, made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a number 4 plastic. This wrap can be used in numerous ways, including for gift wrapping, sheet protectors, book covers, camping supplies and for food.

      As of 2005, a recyclable, environmentally friendly, non-PVC wrap exists produced by a Canadian company as an alternative to PVC shrink-wrap for food as well as other products.

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