Eco-friendly aluminum foil and parchment paper: labels and cost per square foot

Aluminum foil

• Recycled content: some foil states how much is recycled aluminum. It is a specific claim you can check.
• Gauge: foil comes in standard, heavy-duty and extra-heavy-duty. Heavier foil is thicker and may suit grilling and roasting.
• Recycling: clean foil is often accepted for recycling, and food-soiled foil may not be. Rules vary by place, so check yours, and know that crumpling small pieces into a larger ball helps in some programs.
• Reuse: wipe off and reuse clean foil where you can.

Parchment paper

• Unbleached and bleached: unbleached parchment is brown and bleached is white. The label states which.
• Silicone coating: parchment is usually coated so that food does not stick. Some products are described as compostable, which depends on the coating and on the facility you have access to.
• Temperature limits: check the maker's maximum oven temperature on the package. Do not use parchment above the limit.
• Sheets, rolls or pre-cut rounds: pre-cut sheets cost more per square foot and save time.

Our angle: square feet, width and waste

A roll's length alone tells you little, because widths differ. Most labels print the total square feet, and that is the number to use. Divide the price by the square feet, then multiply by 100 for the price per 100 square feet. Pre-cut sheets that fit your pans can produce less waste than tearing off a roll, so check your pan size. Also ask whether a reusable silicone baking mat would replace many sheets, and compare its price with a year of parchment.

1. Find the total square feet on the package.
2. Divide the price by the square feet and multiply by 100.
3. Compare rolls and pre-cut sheets on that number.

Buying tips

• Check the oven and grill temperature limits before you use a product.
• Do not use foil in a microwave.
• Store rolls in a dry place.
• A plain cardboard box with no plastic wrap is a specific packaging claim.

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