Everything You Need to Know About Cling Film Wrap

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Plastic Film Strip with Images
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Cling film wrap is a versatile and convenient product that's been a staple in many kitchens for decades. It's made from a thin, transparent plastic sheet that's coated with a layer of silicone or wax.

You can use cling film wrap to cover food, wrap leftovers, and even protect surfaces from spills. Its unique properties make it easy to mold and shape around objects.

Cling film wrap is made from a type of plastic called polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. This material is durable, flexible, and easy to clean.

Using Cling Film Wrap

Plastic wrap is a thin plastic film commonly used for sealing and securing food items in containers to keep fresh.

It's usually sold in individual rolls or with a roll in a box that has a cutting edge on it. I've noticed that it's also great for covering bowls or plates when taking food to a potluck or picnic.

Plastic wrap was originally developed as a spray to protect fighter planes from salty sea spray in 1933.

Materials Used

Credit: youtube.com, Plastic Wrap Decoupage

Plastic wrap was initially created from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which remains the most common component globally.

PVC has an acceptably-low permeability to water vapor and oxygen, helping to preserve the freshness of food.

There are concerns about the transfer of plasticizers from PVC into food.

Pliofilm was made of various kinds of rubber chloride and was used in the middle of the 20th century, it could be heat-sealed.

A common, cheaper alternative to PVC is low-density polyethylene (LDPE), it is less adhesive than PVC.

Adding linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) to LDPE can increase the film's tensile strength and improve its adhesion.

In the US and Japan, plastic wrap is sometimes produced using polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), although some brands have switched to other formulations due to environmental concerns.

How to Use a Slide Cutter

To use a slide cutter effectively, position the bowl or container in front of the box.

The best way to use a slide cutter is to pull out the cling wrap so that it covers the bowl.

Next, wrap the front edge of the bowl with the cling wrap.

Finally, slide the cutter and wrap the back edge of the bowl.

Food Guide

Credit: youtube.com, How To Cling Wrap Like A Pro And Keep Your Food Fresh | Food Hacks | Well Done

Plastic wrap is a thin plastic film commonly used for sealing and securing food items in containers to keep fresh.

Food plastic wrap is sold in individual rolls or more typically sold with a roll in a box that has a cutting edge on it.

The original plastic wrap was invented in 1933 by Ralph Wiley, a lab worker at Dow chemical, as a solution to clean beakers used in developing a dry-cleaning product.

PVdC (Polyvinylidene Chloride) was the material used to make the original plastic wrap, which was later refined into saran plastic wrap in 1949.

Plastic wrap is commonly made out of PVC (Polyvinylidene Chloride), but LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) alternatives have become more popular in recent years due to environmental concerns.

LDPE plastic wrap is considered safer for the body, but it doesn't provide the same amount of cling as PVC plastic wrap.

Sustainability and Recycling

Cling wrap is not generally recyclable in curbside recycling programs. This means it's best to dispose of it in the trash.

A better option is compostable cling wrap, which can be composted in a commercial compost facility. However, this may not be available in all areas.

Sustainable Alternative to Plastic

Credit: youtube.com, Biobased sustainable alternatives to plastics

One sustainable alternative to plastic is bamboo, which has a lower carbon footprint than traditional wood.

Bamboo requires minimal water and pesticides to grow, and it can be harvested in just three to five years, compared to traditional wood which can take decades.

Bamboo is also incredibly versatile, and can be used to make everything from utensils to building materials.

In fact, bamboo has a tensile strength that's 28% greater than steel, making it a great substitute for metal in some applications.

Using bamboo as a sustainable alternative to plastic can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support reforestation efforts.

Is Clear Recyclable?

Clear wrap for food is not generally recyclable in curbside recycling programs.

A better option is compostable cling wrap, which can be composted in a commercial compost facility, although this may not be available in all areas.

Product Information

A standard roll of food plastic wrap is 75 ft. long, but for commercial use, our rolls start at 1000 ft. in length.

Credit: youtube.com, Cling film hacks - do they work? The best way to use cling film - Which?

All of our food plastic wrap rolls are a standard 35 ga. thickness and FDA approved for direct food contact, comparable to brands like saran wrap and Reynolds wrap.

Our plastic wrap is available in various widths, including 12, 18, and 24 inches, and comes in different types, such as plastic wrap with cutterbox, slide cutter, and perforated plastic wrap.

How Plastic is Made

Plastic is made through a process that involves heating plastic granules until they melt, forming a liquid that's then forced through a die to create a tube of stretchable plastic. This process is repeated multiple times to achieve the desired thickness.

The first step in making plastic wrap is to heat plastic granules until they melt. This liquid plastic is then forced through a die to form a tube of stretchable plastic.

Compressed air is blown into the tubes to form a bubble, which stretches the plastic into the desired thicknesses. This process is crucial in creating the clingy texture of plastic wrap.

Credit: youtube.com, How Plastic is Made

The bubble is then collapsed between metal rollers to form a plastic film. This film is then rolled onto a large metal roll that may hold several kilometers of film.

The plastic wrap is unwound from the large roll, cut, and rerolled onto smaller rolls. This rolling and unrolling process helps to provide more cling to the plastic wrap.

The rolls are then placed into cardboard containers with serrated edges or packed individually for the end-user. This is the final step in the production of plastic wrap.

Product Specifications

The product specifications are quite diverse, but let's break them down. The width of the product ranges from 15 to 45 cm, which is a pretty broad range.

The thickness of the product is typically between 8 to 15 microns, which is incredibly thin.

The length of the product can vary significantly, spanning from 15 to 100 meters.

The core size comes in four different variants: 25/28/30/35 mm.

The product can be packaged in a few different ways, including duplex board or E flute carton, film roll with or without a cutter box, master carton, SRP/display cases, and shrink wrap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cling film and Saran Wrap?

Cling film and Saran Wrap are often used interchangeably, but Saran Wrap was originally made with a different material than most generic cling films. Today, however, most Saran Wrap is made with the same material as generic cling films.

Is glad wrap the same as cling film?

Glad wrap and cling film are often used interchangeably, referring to a thin plastic film used to seal food items and keep them fresh. They are essentially the same product, with different brand names.

What are the disadvantages of cling wraps?

Cling wraps can leach chemicals like phthalates into foods, especially fatty ones, posing potential health risks. Using cling wraps may also contribute to plastic waste and environmental concerns.

Does the Saran Wrap trick work?

The Saran Wrap trick is a restaurant hack that may help you save some money on your meal, but its effectiveness is largely anecdotal and not scientifically proven.

Louis Becker

Senior Writer

Louis Becker is a seasoned writer with a deep passion for maritime transportation. His insightful articles have shed light on the complexities and challenges of global shipping, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the industry's dynamics. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy, Becker has established himself as a trusted voice in maritime journalism.

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