The HanaBee Story

I started HanaBee because I wanted to take beautiful fabrics from my native Japan and use them to make the world greener. We are all called to look after this amazing planet earth.

HanaBee has a double meaning. In Japanese, ‘Hanabi’ means ‘fireworks’. My wish is the designs light up any kitchen, lunch bag or picnic. ‘Hana’ also means flower, a complement to industry of the pollinating worker bee. I hope the wraps will be a way of respecting our interdependence with nature and reduce waste.

HanaBee started because I was longing to find a way to reduce my plastic bag and plastic film use. When I had my daughter, I started to pack her snacks in small resealable plastic bags. Apples, grapes, raisins, rice cakes...in different bags... everyday... I used them so much that my family called me "Mrs Plastic Bags"! And they were right! My fridge was full of bowls covered with plastic film - half avocados, blocks of cheese, cut fruits, you name it!  I did it because it was hygienic, quick and easy. When I had my second child, the use of plastic film and bags went up further, and I knew something had to change. Then I stumbled across beeswax wraps.

Using beeswax wraps was a life changing experience. Not only did I not have to buy plastic bags anymore, but I found they were even more hygienic, quick and easy! In Japanese we have a word, mottainai, which expresses the feeling of regret over wasting something. Beeswax wraps are amazing because nature has given us a solution to the man-made problem of plastic film waste.

At the start of this journey, I knew I had to do something but didn't really know where to start. If you are in the same place, why don't you start with HanaBee wraps today? If you have already set off on your journey, why not try taking HanaBee wraps with you?

Looking forward to traveling with you!

Miki