CLING FILM

From our experience, purchasing more lids for your containers, gastros and pans is the first port of call to reduce the amount of cling film you use. The next step is to get creative and rethink how you prepare dishes.

An image of a man holding up a roll of cling film to the camera. Shallow depth of field. The man is outdoors and is taking part in Amass Restaurant's 'The Last Roll' campaign

THE SOLUTION

BUY MORE LIDS

For containers, pans and gastros you already have. If you need to keep something warm, put a lid on it.  

You can also try Flexsil lids. Although expensive, they can provide that airtight fit and you can also cook with them meaning less foil. We have found that the larger 1/1 lids to be fragile and the 1/3 and smaller lids to be more durable and effective.

If you wrap your gastro racking trolleys in cling, then invest in a rack cover (kind of a lid right?).

BUY MORE CONTAINERS

If you’re taking away cling film from chefs, ensure there’s an alternative to help with a smooth transition. Stainless steel makes the most sustainable containers but good quality plastic are the cheaper option.

Note: Good quality airtight containers mean you don’t need to wrap cling film around the outside to stop the liquid overflow.

GET CREATIVE

Use compostable baking paper to wrap your biscuit dough and to stop your custard getting a skin or make a beautiful terrine using blanched leek layers like Ben below. 

If a dish requires cling film and there are no substitutes to suit, does it need to be on your menu? What alternative dish could work well?

A note on aluminium foil: Using aluminium foil instead, sadly, is not a good solution. Its production requires far more energy and releases more emissions than cling films. Click here for tips on how to recycle and use less foil.

HEALTH
& SAFETY

  • Yes, you can. There are additional hazards when storing fruit and veg uncovered. To overcome potential issues, consider the following in your Food Safety Management System:

    How often is the fridge cleaned and disinfected?

    What else is stored in the fridge and is there any chance of the uncovered fruit and veg getting contaminated by meat, fish or allergens?

    Are the fruit and veg to undergo further preparation?

    Are the fruit and veg washed before being put into the fridge?

  • The FSA advise that meat and fish should be covered.

    However, if you have a separate meat and fish fridge with enough space to store them apart from each other, then you can leave them uncovered. No one wants sweaty meat anyway! Just ensure you clean and disinfect regularly to avoid physical contamination.

    If you’re lacking in fridge space, a container with a lid will do just fine.

Successes and How To’s

A terrine from Ben Lines

Ben Lines’ Terrine

Ben created this terrine using layers of blanched leeks instead of cling film. “This terrine is proof that cling film is not necessary for kitchens.”

Flexsil Lids

Check out these lids used by The Fat Duck. According to their team, these lids are the best way to reduce the amount of cling film and foil a kitchen uses.

You can create and airtight fit an braise food overnight using these lids!

Note: As mentioned above smaller lids, 1/3 and below, are more durable and simply better . The larger 1/1 silicone lids can rip on older gastro corners.

KeEP ROLLIN ROLLIN…

Use compostable baking paper which you can wash and reuse to roll foods. We are still searching for the perfect alternative for making ballotines and wellingtons. Contact us at the bottom of the page if you have a solution.

Pasta Grannies

Pasta Grannie’s Tips

How to rest and store your pasta like nonna!  Use an airtight container and process your dough earlier.

Click through to see the advice from Pasta Grannies writer Vicky Bennison.

An image of cheese wrapped in wax paper

Let That Cheese Brie..th

Rob from Neal’s Yard Dairy, advises against using cling film to wrap cheese. Instead, use the wax paper it comes in or compostable baking paper. Then store the cheese in a spacious container with a damp cloth for humidity. Baking paper and wax paper can be washed and reused!  Click here to read all of Rob’s tips.

STOP SKINS FORMING

Skins form on food when water evaporates from the surface leading to a concentration of other ingredients. The quicker you cool down the food, the less time there is for water to evaporate. Put your foods on ice to stop skins forming without clingfilm.

Click here for 7 other ways to stop skin forming on your prepped foods. The custard above was simply covered with silpats!

#TheLastRoll

Join our Amass inspired campaign and share a picture of your last roll of cling film. 

The Fat Duck and The Pelican joined recently, who’s going next?

GO AGAINST THE GRAIN

Wrap bread in a clean cloth and store it in an airtight container, bread bin, or tin. Alternatively, use a cotton bread bag. For budget-friendly options, wrap it in a clean cloth and place it in a tote bag or plastic bag for reuse.

Slightly more Stale bread? Check out these recipes to stop any bread going to waste.

Dough being proofed with a cloth rather than cling film for a more sustainable way of baking

PROOFING DOUGH

Be it a damp cloth or an upside-down tray, there are plenty of ways to proof your dough without cling film.

You could even be Like Nigella Lawson and use a leopard skin shower cap to cover your dough.