Hey there, conscious consumer! If you‘re like me, you‘re always looking for ways to reduce your environmental impact without sacrificing quality or convenience. So when I discovered Etee, a company creating biodegradable beeswax-based alternatives to single-use plastic products, I knew I had to give them a try.
Etee‘s mission is to help households go plastic-free with innovative, sustainable swaps for things like cling wrap, Ziploc bags, dish soap, and even dental floss. As someone who‘s been trying to cut down on waste for years, I was intrigued by Etee‘s approach—but I wanted to make sure their products actually worked as well as the conventional stuff.
So I ordered myself a bunch of Etee‘s bestsellers, including their reusable food wraps, sandwich bags, concentrated dish and hand soaps, and silk dental floss. I‘ve now been using them all in my home for several months, and I‘m excited to share my honest thoughts with you!
But first, let‘s talk about why finding alternatives to single-use plastic is so important. Did you know that we produce over 300 million metric tons of plastic waste every year globally? And despite our best recycling efforts, 91% of plastic ends up in landfills, incinerators, or worse, the ocean.
All that plastic waste is wreaking havoc on marine life, polluting our drinking water with microplastics, and even finding its way into the food chain. The thought of my food storage choices contributing to this giant mess? No thanks.
That‘s why I‘m always on the lookout for brands using smart, sustainable design to help us shrink our plastic footprint. And Etee is definitely one of the most impressive I‘ve found. Founder Steph Reble actually created the company after a plastic-filled kayaking trip opened her eyes to the pollution crisis.
How Etee Creates Plastic-Free Products
Reble and her team spent years researching and testing the ideal plastic-free material, and they landed on an ingenious solution: beeswax. Thanks to its natural antibacterial properties and malleable texture, beeswax can be blended with other organic ingredients like tree resin, jojoba oil, and cotton to create durable, reusable food wraps and bags.
The same concept powers Etee‘s cleaning and personal care products. Dish and hand soaps come in concentrated pod form, encased in a beeswax "shell" that you dissolve in water to create your liquid soap. Genius! And the brand‘s silk dental floss is coated in natural candelilla wax and comes in a refillable glass or stainless steel holder.
According to Etee, a single set of their beeswax food wraps can eliminate 1,500 square feet of plastic wrap from the waste stream. And one beeswax soap pod is equivalent to a 16-ounce bottle of liquid soap—with zero plastic packaging. When you consider how these swaps add up over time, the impact is huge.
So now that you‘ve got the backstory, let me walk you through my experience with each of Etee‘s hero products! Starting with…
Etee Beeswax Food Wraps Review
If you‘re a regular plastic or even aluminum foil user, reusable food wraps will change your life. I used to go through rolls of plastic wrap like crazy, whether I was covering leftovers, wrapping up half a lemon, or packing snacks for work. It felt so wasteful, not to mention kind of yucky touching all that clingy plastic.
Etee‘s Beeswax Food Wraps have been a total game-changer. They come in a pack of three sizes, ranging from small (perfect for avocado halves or cookie bundles) to XL (ideal for covering a casserole dish). The wraps are made from organic cotton muslin coated in a blend of sustainably sourced beeswax, tree resin, jojoba oil, and natural essential oils.
The magic is in the beeswax coating, which gives the wraps a slightly tacky feel and makes them super easy to mold and seal around any shape. To use, you just warm the wrap between your hands and form it around your food or container. The wrap will stick to itself and create an airtight seal that keeps food fresh.
I love that Etee wraps are so much easier to handle than plastic wrap – no static cling, no losing the end of the roll, no knife required to cut them. They‘re also way more durable and long-lasting. I‘ve been using my set regularly for about six months now and they still look and work like new.
When a wrap does get soiled, I just rinse it in cool water with a little dish soap, hang it to dry, and it‘s good to go again. Etee says you can expect to get 120-150 uses out of each wrap depending on what you‘re storing.
Since I started using Etee wraps, I haven‘t bought a single roll of plastic wrap. I even feel good about using them to pack my kids‘ lunches, knowing there‘s no BPA or other questionable chemicals leaching into their food. Once the wraps do eventually wear out, they can go straight in the compost bin. Pretty incredible!
[INSERT ETEE FOOD WRAP LIFESTYLE PHOTO]Etee Reusable Sandwich Bags Review
As much as I love the food wraps for home use, there are definitely times when I want something a bit more portable and secure, like a good old Ziploc bag. That‘s where Etee‘s Reusable Sandwich Bags come in super handy.
These bags are made from the same organic cotton and beeswax blend as the wraps, but with the addition of a velcro closure to keep everything nicely contained. The large size is perfect for packing a sandwich, veggies and hummus, or trail mix for a day out. I also love using the medium size for keeping small items organized while traveling, like vitamins or jewelry.
Just like the wraps, the sandwich bags are fully biodegradable and simple to hand wash and reuse. I‘ve found that one quick wash can last me multiple uses – like packing a sandwich in the same bag Monday to Friday. They maintain a really nice seal wash after wash, which I can‘t say for the few other reusable baggies I‘ve tried.
As far as price goes, a set of three Etee Reusable Sandwich Bags (in small, medium, and large) costs $30. Definitely more of an investment compared to a box of Ziplocs. BUT, if you use the bags an average of twice per week, Etee estimates it would take over two years to spend the equivalent on disposable baggies. Factor in the environmental cost and it‘s a no-brainer in my book!
[INSERT ETEE SANDWICH BAG IN USE PHOTO]Etee Dish Soap and Hand Soap Review
Okay, be honest: how many half-empty bottles of dish and hand soap are cluttering up your counters right now? I know I‘m guilty of chasing trends (apple cider vinegar dish soap, anyone?) and letting the plastic empties pile up. Well, what if you could get all the cleaning power with none of the bottle waste? Enter Etee‘s Dish Soap and Hand Soap Concentrates.
Instead of selling liquid soap in disposable plastic jugs, Etee packages their super-concentrated formulas in beeswax pods that dissolve in water to create your soap. All you do is pop a pod in an empty bottle (glass is best), add warm water, and shake until blended. In about a minute, you‘ve got a full bottle of luxurious, eco-friendly soap!
The pods themselves have a waxy, egg-like feel and smell faintly of honey. It‘s really cool to watch them disintegrate and transform into soap. Etee‘s formulas use all-natural, biodegradable ingredients like saponified organic coconut oil, aloe vera juice, and rosemary extract. No sulfates, fragrances, dyes, or mystery chemicals.
I was a bit skeptical that this DIY approach could clean as well as my usual Mrs. Meyers, but I was happily surprised. The Dish Soap Concentrate created a rich, grease-cutting lather that left my dishes sparkling.
I did find that I had to use a bit more product compared to conventional soaps (like a squirt and a half versus a single pump). But considering how affordable and waste-free Etee‘s soap is, that seems like a very fair tradeoff.
Same winning experience with the Hand Soap Concentrate. The lemongrass and sage scent is light and fresh, and the formula leaves hands feeling soft and nourished. I especially love that I can reuse my favorite ceramic dispenser with these refill pods, instead of being stuck buying whatever plastic bottle the soap comes in.
[INSERT ETEE SOAP CONCENTRATE PHOTO]Price-wise, choosing Etee over liquid soaps in plastic bottles is basically a wash (no pun intended). A pack of three Dish Soap or Hand Soap pods sells for $18 on Etee‘s site, which yields roughly 48 oz of soap. An equivalent quantity of Mrs Meyers from Amazon would run you around $17. The difference is, Etee‘s pods are 100% biodegradable and take up way less space in your cupboards.
Etee Silk Dental Floss Review
Last but not least, let‘s talk about a surprising source of plastic waste you might not think about: dental floss. Most conventional flosses are made of nylon or Teflon and coated with petroleum-based wax. All that basically means they won‘t break down in your lifetime (or your kids‘ kids‘ lifetimes).
Etee‘s plastic-free floss, on the other hand, is made from natural silk coated in candelilla wax. You can choose between a refillable glass or stainless steel dispenser (both very chic for the bathroom counter). Each spool contains 30 meters of floss, and refills come packaged in certified compostable bags.
Truthfully, I wasn‘t sure how I‘d like the texture of waxed silk compared to standard smooth floss. But not only does it have a nice glide between teeth, I actually find it gentler on my gums as well. And the fresh mint flavor makes my whole mouth feel clean.
A two-pack of Etee floss refills costs $10, which is definitely on the high end. But when you consider that the floss and packaging completely biodegrade after use, I think it‘s a small price to pay. Like all Etee products, the floss is a simple swap that can make a real difference over time.
[INSERT ETEE SILK FLOSS DISPENSER AND REFILL PHOTO]The Bottom Line on Etee
Alright, conscious friends, let‘s recap: Etee offers eco-friendly, plastic-free alternatives to single-use food wraps and bags, bottled soaps, and dental floss. Their products are made primarily from sustainable beeswax and other biodegradable materials like organic cotton, silk, and plant oils.
After trying a variety of Etee‘s offerings in my own home, I‘m thoroughly impressed. Everything from the beeswax wraps to the hand soap not only works great, but also looks and feels beautiful. You can tell that a ton of thought and care went into making these products as effective as possible, so you truly don‘t feel like you‘re sacrificing anything in the name of being greener.
Sure, Etee‘s prices are higher than what you‘d pay for Glad Wrap or Dial at the drugstore. But I genuinely believe their products are designed to last. Investing in a few key reusables like food wraps and bags can eliminate hundreds of single-use plastics from your household, which is remarkable. And if you‘re going through soap anyway, why not choose a plastic-free, non-toxic option like Etee?
Perhaps the biggest thing I love about Etee, though, is the intention behind it. This is a company that clearly cares about our planet and is doing something to help, without any greenwashing or guilt-tripping. They just make really great products that make it easy and satisfying to reduce waste.
Now, I know going totally plastic-free is an intimidating prospect. No one is perfect, and our current systems don‘t make it easy. But I firmly believe that supporting brands like Etee, and incorporating reusables wherever we can, is a meaningful step in the right direction.
The way I see it, every Etee wrap, bag, or soap pod is one less piece of plastic ending up in the ocean or landfill. One less bit of petroleum fueling the climate crisis. One more signal to big business that consumers care about sustainable options. And that gives me so much hope!
Even if you swap out one roll of plastic wrap for an Etee food wrap, or one bottle of hand soap for a concentrate pod, you‘re making a difference. And you just might find, like I did, that the plastic-free option is way nicer to use anyway. It all adds up.
My Etee Review At a Glance
Pros:
- Well-designed, attractive aesthetic
- Eliminates single-use plastic waste
- All biodegradable & non-toxic materials
- Easy to use and clean
- Last for hundreds of uses (great value)
- Natural ingredients that are safe and effective
- Supports a mission-driven, eco-conscious brand
Cons:
- More expensive than conventional disposable options
- Wax wraps aren‘t ideal for heat/long freezer storage
- Products are shipped, which has a carbon footprint
- Requires some behavior change to remember to wash/reuse
The Bottom Line: 4.5 stars
If you‘re looking to reduce your kitchen and bathroom waste without compromising quality, Etee‘s line of beeswax-based reusables and concentrated soaps are the perfect place to start. While not the absolute cheapest option, their products are thoughtfully made, highly effective, and designed to last.
From one earth-lover to another, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Etee a go. The planet will thank you!
FAQs About Etee and Plastic-Free Living
Q: Do beeswax wraps keep food fresh as long as plastic?
Absolutely! Beeswax is naturally antibacterial, and the addition of jojoba oil helps create an air-tight seal. I‘ve kept produce fresh in my Etee wraps for well over a week.
Q: How long do Etee beeswax wraps last?
With proper care (washing in cool water with mild soap), Etee wraps are estimated to last for 150+ uses. From my experience, they maintain their cling and shape really well wash after wash.
Q: Are Etee beeswax wraps microwave and freezer safe?
Etee wraps cannot go in the microwave, as the wax will melt. They‘re freezer-safe for up to a month, but any longer than that and they may begin to crack.
Q: What if I don‘t like a product? Can I return it?
Etee offers a 90-day free return policy for any unopened products. They‘re a small company and don‘t accept returns of opened/used items for safety reasons. But they do offer sample sizes of many products so you can test them out!
Q: Does Etee offer free shipping?
Yes, Etee has free shipping for US orders over $50! For orders under $50, shipping is a flat $5 fee. The company uses 100% plastic-free, recyclable shipping materials.
Q: Is Etee a vegan company?
While many of Etee‘s products and ingredients are plant-based, they are not a fully vegan brand as they use humanely sourced beeswax in their wraps, bags, and soap pods. The Etee team has shared that they are exploring vegan wax alternatives for future products!
I hope this comprehensive Etee review has given you a helpful inside look at the brand and how their products perform IRL. I‘m always happy to answer any other questions about going plastic-free or chat about the most sustainable swaps. Feel free to DM me or drop a comment below!
If you‘re interested in giving Etee a try, you can use my affiliate link for 15% off your first purchase. Every little bit helps on the journey to a greener lifestyle. Until next time, wishing you a more planet-friendly day!
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