Cling wrap and BPA: what you actually need to know

"BPA-free" turns up on all sorts of packaging. But what is BPA, does it have anything to do with cling wrap, and what should you look for? Here's the plain-English version, no scare tactics.

What is BPA?

BPA (bisphenol A) is an industrial chemical used mainly to make polycarbonate, a hard, clear plastic, and epoxy resins, such as some coatings used inside food and drink cans. It's been widely studied, and food regulators, including Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), monitor it as part of their work on food packaging chemicals.

Is BPA used in cling wrap?

Soft, stretchy cling wrap is a very different material from hard polycarbonate. Most conventional cling wrap is made from polyethylene (PE) or, less commonly, PVC. BPA isn't a building block of polyethylene.

So "BPA-free" on a roll of cling wrap tells you less than you might think. A more useful question is: what is this film actually made from?

How cling wrap materials differ

Neither PLA nor PBAT is made from BPA. PLA is built from lactic acid. PBAT is fossil-based (not plant-derived) but it's designed to biodegrade under composting conditions. More in what is PLA and what is PBAT.

ZERO Cling Wrap: what's in it

ZERO Cling Wrap is made from bioplastic: mainly PLA made from sugarcane (bagasse), with about 20% PBAT for stretch. That's it. It's certified home compostable (DIN CERTCO and TÜV Austria OK compost HOME), so when you're done it can go in your home compost, where it breaks down fully to CO2, water and biomass. Remove the detachable blade first.

30 m and 60 m rolls, from $6.99. For anything involving heat, follow the usage guide on the pack.

Simple habits for any food wrap

• Let hot food cool before you cover it.
• Follow the pack for microwave or heat use. Never put cling wrap in the oven unless the pack says it's oven safe. See can cling wrap go in the oven?
• Cover loosely for reheating, or use a microwave-safe plate or lidded dish instead of film.
• Know your materials. A named material and a named certification tell you more than a list of things a product is "free" from.

Don't just read the "free from" list

"Free from" claims only tell you what a product isn't. They don't tell you what it is. Look for a clear material list, clear usage instructions and, for compostable products, a named certification such as AS 5810 (home compostable) or AS 4736 (industrial). Our guide to AS 4736 vs AS 5810 explains the difference.

Pair it with bags

For sandwiches, snacks and freezer portions, ZERO Resealable Food Storage Bags are made from PBAT, corn starch and calcium carbonate. They're tested for food contact, freezer-friendly and certified home compostable (TÜV Austria OK compost HOME). From $4.99.

FAQ

Does cling wrap contain BPA?

BPA is mainly used to make hard polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, not soft cling film. The more useful thing to check is what the film is made from.

What is ZERO Cling Wrap made from?

Bioplastic: mainly PLA made from sugarcane (bagasse), with about 20% PBAT for stretch.

Is PBAT plant-based?

No. PBAT is fossil-based. It's used because it adds stretch and is compostable. Our goal is to move completely away from petroleum-based polymers through our own materials R&D.

Can I microwave ZERO Cling Wrap?

Follow the usage guide on the pack.