What is in Beeswax Wraps?

Ever wondered what a Supra Endura Beeswax wrap is made? How our ingredients are sourced? What makes them work? If you are curious about any of these things you have come to the right place.

Okay, So What is Beeswax?

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by the wax-producing glands of honeybees. Originally beeswax is colorless, but it turns to a golden yellow color when it is stained by pollen or propolis, which are used by worker bees to build the hives. It’s been found that 14.7 to 19.4 lb of honey yields 2.2 lb of wax.

How is it processed?

The most common method used to collect beeswax is the scrape and drain method. It involves collecting wax cappings using a special knife. The special knife is used to scrape off the open combs so the combs can drain the honey out. The wax cappings are then retained in a collection tray. The color of the beeswax varies from region to region. It also depends on the type of flowers from which the bees gather the honey.

The beeswax is then processed through a centrifuge after the honey has been removed. The combs are then melted using hot water or steam that yields a melted product. This is then filtered and cast into cake or pellets. Beeswax pellets have high melting point.

Alright so know we understand Beeswax, but how do we get the other ingredients? Along with beeswax these three other ingredients make up your beeswax wraps.

• 100% Organic Cotton fabric
• Tree resin and
• Jojoba Oil

GOTS certified Orgainc Cotton

We take immense pride in using GOTS certified Organic Cotton fabric in our beeswax wrap.

GOTS is the processing standard followed worldwide for organic fibers. GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. Organic fibers, ecological and social criteria and processing stages play a major role in attaining this certification.

As per the GOTS standards, a GOTS certified Organic fabric must contain 95% certified organic fibers. This means these fibers are produced without synthetic pesticides, insecticides or herbicides and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).Processing include GOTS approved colorants and auxiliaries only. GOTS also prohibits environmentally hazardous substances in chemical inputs. This criteria allows out cotton to be completely safe for coming on contact with food.  

What is Tree Resin?

If you are thinking of the sticky liquid that comes out of a tree, you are right. There are two types of tree resins: Hard tree resins and softer tree resins. Hard tree resins are usually transparent. They are used in varnishes and adhesives like Cpals and Dammars.

Soft tree resins are used for therapeutic purposes. They are also used to make incense as they contain essential oils. Rosin, that is applied to string instruments like violin bows is also a type of a resin!

The extraction process of tree resin is a laborious and time-consuming task. It could take anywhere from months to years. The process consists of making an incision in the tree and attaching a small bucket to the incised portion. The resin slowly oozes out into the bucket. When the first cycle is completed, another one begins by making another incision. Today, we have technical machinery that simplifies the method of extraction. This helps us cut the labor cost and the time taken to collect tree resin.

Pine resin is the most common type of tree resin and is what we use in our beeswax wraps! It is used as a sealant, glue, and varnish. We use this pine resin in our beeswax wrap for this exact reason: it is sticky! It gives a better grip between objects and in turn helps to retain the freshness of food.

The best part about pine resin is it’s naturally anti-bacterial. In older days, pine resin was chewed as gum for sore throats.

So, it’s anti-bacterial, edible and gives a better grip.  That’s like we have hit a jackpot!

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is derived from the seeds of a shrub name Simmondsia chinensis. The extraction process of the oil is a tedious job. Hence, it can be quite expensive. They are used in various cosmetic products and skin care remedies.

So, all these natural ingredients combine to form our lovely beeswax wrap.

But wait, that’s not it. What makes our beeswax wrap special is the lovely and colorful prints on them. They add a touch of style and sophistication to any area in your home instantly.

When we talk about prints, we mean food grade and digitally printed.

 What makes it so special?

Food grade inks are water based and are safe for human consumption. They are non-toxic and can come in direct contact with your food!

On the other hand, digital printing is environmentally friendly. Digital printing reduces the CO2 emissions compared to many other traditional printing services. They require less materials, hence less waste.

Digital textile printing can reduce up to 95% of water usage. Most of the printers are completely waterless.

BCSI Compliance

BCSI stands for Business Social Compliance Initiative. BCSI is a standard used throughout the industry, we work with Amfori BCSI, which is the company that performs the social compliance. It is an industry driven movement monitor and audits the workplace standards for factories.

BCSI provides an auditing system to follow which will improve the working conditions. The emphasize on tenuous improvement which is a step-by-step development. They empower the workers by helping the producers monitor and respect human rights and labor rights.

This audit makes sure that the workers are treated ethically and legally. They also ensure that the facility is socially compliant meaning no religious or sexual discrimination, no child labor, no minors are used in the process. They also make sure that the employees are paid a living wage and receive insurance . BCSI ensures that the workers are not required to work more than 48 regular hours.

They also ensure that the factories take all necessary steps to detect, access and avoid potential threats like accidents, injuries or illnesses associated with work.

BCSI also protects the workers from bonded labor in any form and follow ethical business behavior. Their mission and values are completely focused on the people and the planet. They help the companies operate in a way that is ethical, transparent, and sustainable. BSCI also does audits to see how the factory can improve their sustainability and environmental effects.

So, when we say sustainable, ethical, and environmentally responsible we mean it. Every step that we take gets us one step closer to a clean, safe, and sustainable environment.