Life with less plastics: traditional Japanese wooden wrapping paper, kyōgi (経木) is making a comeback, replacing styrofoam, plastic containers in upscale supermarkets. Made of 0.05-1.0mm slices of pine or cedar wood. Antibacterial, breathable (doesn't condense or trap moisture).
Used in Japan from the 7th century to ca. 1955. Wood is naturally antibacterial and in tests of raw fish and meat items wrapped in kyōgi had exponentially less bacteria of all kinds and especially e-coli, a major cause of food poisoning.
Originally it was used to copy buddhist sutras, as paper was far more expensive. It is produced in many different sizes, grades of quality and thickness.
Since it is breathable it is also perfect for wrapping and preparing fermented or fermenting food. And it is obviously burnable (use it to start fires in your kitchen stove). It biodegrades quickly in nature or compost and contains no toxins or chemicals.
Kyōgi was also used to make "strawhats", strong and comfortable, a local product of Shimane Prefecture in Western Japan. Sadly this tradition might have been lost to us.
Video of one small kyōgi factory. There are many different set ups and ways of making it though. This is truly a small scale industry. youtube.com
Another slightly larger scale operation: youtube.com
On wooden cutting boards and the antibacterial properties of wood (you're not still using plastic cutting boards I hope):
Kyōgi is also used to make bento boxes, trays, plates, etc. Far better than plastic and not that much more expensive. And you can compost it when you are done.
Loading suggestions...