Welcome to the Canterbury Home Educators Inc July 2017 Fundraiser!
July 2017 is also known as Plastic Free July so our fundraiser featured low waste products. Thank you so much to everyone who supported our successful July fundraiser, we'll be back with another one for Term 3, this time with delicious and healthy food options.
We're very grateful to Christchurch author Deanna Anderson for kindly donating three copies of her beautiful new picture book for young eco-warriers 'Kikir of the Walking Trees' The winners of the books were Sarah W (Christchurch), Laetitia T (Oxford) and Marnie E (Christchurch).
If you ordered Bee's Wax Food Wrap Kits the instructions are available below, with options to download with or without pictures for printing.
We're very grateful to Christchurch author Deanna Anderson for kindly donating three copies of her beautiful new picture book for young eco-warriers 'Kikir of the Walking Trees' The winners of the books were Sarah W (Christchurch), Laetitia T (Oxford) and Marnie E (Christchurch).
If you ordered Bee's Wax Food Wrap Kits the instructions are available below, with options to download with or without pictures for printing.
MAKE YOUR OWN BEESWAX FOOD WRAPS
This kit includes 100 grams of wax and cotton fabric. When you have made your beeswax infused cotton cloth, you can use this as you would use plastic wrap. It is not recommended that you use on meat of dairy products as they may leave harmful bacteria on the wrap. To clean them, wash in cold or lukewarm water with mild soap.
Your fabric comes in large 30cmx110cm pieces so begin with cutting your fabric to the desired size then choose one of the following methods to make your food wraps.
METHOD 1
You need an iron for this method, your kit, a large, sharp knife, an old towel and a few sheets of baking (greaseproof) paper.
This kit includes 100 grams of wax and cotton fabric. When you have made your beeswax infused cotton cloth, you can use this as you would use plastic wrap. It is not recommended that you use on meat of dairy products as they may leave harmful bacteria on the wrap. To clean them, wash in cold or lukewarm water with mild soap.
Your fabric comes in large 30cmx110cm pieces so begin with cutting your fabric to the desired size then choose one of the following methods to make your food wraps.
METHOD 1
You need an iron for this method, your kit, a large, sharp knife, an old towel and a few sheets of baking (greaseproof) paper.
Cut your beeswax pellets up and set aside. We tried blending them and grating and it didn’t work. You don’t have to be too careful about cutting them up, the size shown here worked well. Place a few sheets of baking paper on your towel then place your cotton square on top of this. Evenly sprinkle your beeswax over the cloth, ensuring that you go all the way to the edges.
Place a few more sheets of baking paper over the wax and cotton then iron over it. Peel back the paper to check that the wax is evenly melted. You may need to sprinkle more on for even coverage and iron again. When you are satisfied that the wax is evenly melted over the cotton, peel the wax infused cotton square off the baking paper and let it dry and cool. You can either put it on a wire rack or peg it on a line of string to dry. When it is dry break any wax off that has gone outside of the edges.
METHOD 2
You need your kit for this method, a small paintbrush, plus some oil of your choice (e.g. almond oil).
In a pot, slowly heat 2/3 cup oil with 1/3 cup beeswax.
METHOD 2
You need your kit for this method, a small paintbrush, plus some oil of your choice (e.g. almond oil).
In a pot, slowly heat 2/3 cup oil with 1/3 cup beeswax.
While this is heating, put your cloths on a clean baking tray and heat for 10 minutes in an 80⁰C oven. When the wax in the pot is melted and the cloth is heated remove the cotton from the oven and use the paintbrush to paint the cloths with the wax and oil mixture, making sure to paint right to the edges.
Return the cloths to the oven, stacking them on top of each other, for the fabric to become further infused with wax.
Remove from oven and place on a wire rack or quickly hang on a line to dry.
If you notice that the wax is wearing away after a few months you can repeat the process to make them brand new again.
If you notice that the wax is wearing away after a few months you can repeat the process to make them brand new again.
Useful Websites For Exploring
Plastic Free July
The World Counts
Sky Ocean Rescue
Pinterest Recycle Reuse Environmentally Aware Crafts, 100s of ideas using everyday throwaway items
Plastic Free July Facebook Page
The Ocean Clean Up Foundation
Places To Visit
Good Shop - Brighton- Social enterprise, shop and workshops Newsletter
Rekindle - Workshops for re-use
Inspiring Kids and Young People
Wellington students protest plastic bags outside Parliament 28/06
Boyan Slat: Cleaning Up The Great Pacific Garbage Patch- RNZ interview 26/06
Recommended Reading
Kikir of the Walking Trees
Charlie and Lola: We Are Extremely Very Good Recyclers
The Lorax
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING VIDEO HAS DISTRESSING IMAGES ABOUT THE IMPACT OF PLASTIC ON ANIMALS
