Beeswax, in simple terms, is a product gotten from the honeycomb. This material is not to be overlooked. It helps bees store their honey and are entirely organic, thus being environmentally friendly when decomposed.
They are also well known for their health advantages thanks to their antibacterial agent. Beeswax is used for skin infections and other conditions. In addition, it is used for making beeswax wraps. Hence, it is normal to be bothered by how biodegradable this byproduct might be if you are considering using beeswax in any way.
Thus, in this blog post, we will discuss if beeswax and its by-product are biodegradable, sustainable, compostable, eco-friendly, and how long it takes to decompose. Let’s dive right in!
Does Beeswax Biodegrade?
Beeswax is a byproduct produced by female honeybees workers who use specific glands in their abdomens to make this fantastic product. These bees transform honey sugar into a waxy material, which they deposit as flakes for other bees to collect and chew.
The resulting wax is beeswax, used to make the honeycomb where the bees store their honey. In this honeycomb, bees store pollen and rear their young ones. However, you should not worry too much about the process; the professionals know what they are doing.
Still, you might worry if beeswax is biodegradable if you are considering using beeswax in any way. Not to worry, beeswax is a biodegradable commodity that can create new materials that are less detrimental to the environment because it is a natural product.
Since prehistory, they have been known to be used for skin conditions and an excellent ingredient for hydrating and exfoliation, as a polish for leather, in cosmetics, and for creating Encaustic painting.
You can also use beeswax instead of synthetic mineral oil waxes to make candles and wood polish, making it an excellent alternative for another kind of wax.
The discovery of beeswax is ancient as it has been in existence for as long as the Bee insect itself; however, its exploration for other uses has evolved over the years, and to date, discovery is still being made on its alternative services. Bees create beeswax, as the name says. Therefore, beeswax is a natural byproduct of the bee’s work cycle.
Is Beeswax Wrap Biodegradable?
As we continue to be aware of the implication of our decisions, including simple things such as how to dispose of wastes, a lot of exploration and research is going on to ensure every waste is taken back by the environment entirely.
Many options are constantly explored with the increasing worry about our packaging trash and its long-term effect on the environment. One such is the beeswax wraps; Beeswax wrap is a food packaging option to plastic wrap made of beeswax and can be recycled to be reused for up to a year.
We can enjoy this new alternative without feeling guilty of contributing to the environmental hazard. Beeswax wrap is manufactured from natural components, including beeswax, natural cotton fibers, jojoba oil, and tree polish, which make the wrap biodegradable and reusable for a long time.
Beeswax wrap is biodegradable and compostable. Hence, you may safely dispose of it as it wears out and feels less waxy by recycling it or composting it for other uses.
Beeswax wrap can decompose in one to two months, which indicates that bee wax is environmentally-friendly and does not create massive pollution to our globe.
The fascinating thing about beeswax production is that it comes from the work routine of the bees in the hive. As they go about their daily routine, the beeswax is left behind. The purpose of secreting this wax for the bees is to build a honeycomb, a tool to make honey.
Is Beeswax Compostable?
The terms “biodegrade” and “decompose” are used interchangeably to describe the natural breakdown of various materials. An essential feature is that biodegradable materials can decompose into harmless components. As a result, they do not release hazardous chemical substances that may contaminate water or toxic gases that pollute the air.
On the other hand, composting biodegradable paper products, as well as food and other agricultural waste, can turn your garbage into nutrient-rich humic material. Using this humic material can help plants grow healthier while reducing chemical fertilization.
Therefore, since beeswax is biodegradable and organically made, composting beeswax can serve as a rich nutrient to our humic and helps reduce chemicals being added to the environment.
Is Beeswax Wrap Compostable?
We mentioned above that beeswax is biodegradable and compostable, a considerable advantage to every conscious consumer. Without guilt, you may safely dispose of it as it wears out without having to worry about the environmental hazard; but, does this apply to beeswax wrap also?
Yes, it does. Beeswax wrap is compostable. Once we can no longer use our beeswax for other purposes, we can cut it into strips to contribute to our compost heap or even wrap it around bits of kindling to serve as a natural and effective fire starter.
Indeed, a substantial, significant benefit of using biodegradable materials is composting them.
How Long Does Beeswax Take To Biodegrade?
We have discussed that beeswax is biodegradable and compostable. Still, a critical concern that needs to be addressed is how long it takes for the process of biodegradation to occur.
The term “biodegrading” refers to the decomposition of materials by living organisms like fungi and bacteria. Beeswax is biodegradable because it is an organic material. Amazingly, it can complete this process in as little as one month.
Hence, it indicates that beeswax is highly environmentally-friendly and does not create massive pollution to our globe.
However, this also signifies that, if not stored correctly, beeswax can decompose or spoil quickly. It can decay in less than two months if properly disposed of, and it can be safely stored for many years if properly stored.
Is Beeswax Sustainable?
Sustainability is a very crucial thing we need to consider as a conscious consumer; some of the products that are found to be environmentally friendly sometimes are unsustainable.
Fortunately for the beeswax, it is highly sustainable; in fact, one unique thing that sets beeswax apart from other waxes is that beeswax is entirely sustainable.
Sustainability is particularly true when beeswax is in its natural state, so we need to note that synthetic beeswax would have its own set of issues to deal with, just like all other types of waxes, such as paraffin wax, etc., which might make synthetic beeswax unsustainable. Thus, natural beeswax is encouraged to prevent environmental hazards.
Suppose you ever wonder what makes beeswax sustainable. In that case, the only thing you need to think about is the origin of beeswax. Beeswax is a byproduct of the beekeeping industry; hence as long as the bees exist and make honey, we will keep getting the beeswax.
The bees are self-sufficient, and the only interference is only a matter of harvesting it. And just in case you do not know, beeswax harvesting, in reality, is helpful to bees and their colonies.
Furthermore, we can also take beeswax’s sustainability compared to other waxes. Beeswax is often a good substitute for many less environmentally friendly items on the market.
The term “sustainability” also refers to the manufacturing of beeswax and its disposal. It is confirmed that beeswax is a renewable and natural product. Thus, it implies a more environmentally friendly option than synthetic mineral oil-based waxes and other items.
Is Beeswax Environmentally Friendly?
Beeswax is an excellent natural product with a seemingly endless list of applications. It is an environmentally friendly material that is a must-have in your nontoxic household and an excellent alternative for other wax products, from lip balm to candle wax and even as plastic-free food storage.
Beeswax originates directly from bees and is nontoxic when produced sustainably. Over the years, it has served as a crucial ingredient in various eco-friendly products.
It is a healthy and nontoxic alternative to plastic for preserving food because it has many valuable features. As a safe alternative to plastic wrap, beeswax wraps employ the natural power of beeswax to protect and store your food. Because beeswax is waterproof, it keeps undesired moisture out while retaining the food’s natural moisture.
Meanwhile, its antibacterial and antifungal characteristics keep bacteria and germs at bay. The fact that it is all-natural and nontoxic means it is safe to store food, unlike chemical-filled plastics. Many people even use beeswax to mature fresh cheese. It does not get much more organic than that.
While beeswax is considered environmentally friendly, it is safe to know that it might come costly than the alternatives. The part reason is that a honey crop that yields around 100 pounds of honey will only provide a few pounds of beeswax, making it far more expensive for both humans and bees.
Conclusion
Beeswax is an environmentally friendly substitute for plastic packaging, which is a huge relief considering how alarming plastic wastes affect the environment negatively. It may also be argued to be a great natural alternative to several highly problematic goods that are not healthy for the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beeswax Wrap Eco Friendly Compared to Plastic?
We are all familiar with plastic wrap because it is one of the common ways of packaging. However, its two ways of disposal have caused many environmental threats, which makes Plastic wrap the worst offender when it comes to non-recyclable packaging. So discovering a long-lasting, sustainable alternative is a great win for the environment.
Alternatives to plastic have been on researchers’ minds for a long time, and beeswax wrap is one of the alternatives invented to plastics. Beeswax is more eco-friendly than plastics because its production process is fully organic, unlike its counterpart.
Is Harvesting Honeycomb Bad For Bees?
No, it is not. Harvesting is helpful because bees prefer to lay eggs on a new honeycomb. The bees will not be as productive until the old honeycomb with its wax is harvested. As a result, wax harvesting is a common element of the bee’s life cycle.
However, taking too much honeycomb from a single hive to generate beeswax can harm the colony’s overall health, just as it does with honey. Some territories generate surplus honeycomb and honey on occasion, but this is not true for all hives all of the time.
Can I Use Beeswax Wrap in the Freezer?
Yes, you can put beeswax wrap in the freezer. Suppose you require a wrap to store your food in the freezer. Just wrap the beeswax around the food item. The wrap becomes frozen in the freezer and holds a new shape of the food item.
Ensure that you wrap tightly to avoid freezer burn. Beeswax Wrap works exceptionally well for freezing vegetables and fruits. You can also use it to keep doughs and other food items for near future use.
