Why Jute is the best material for the environment?

Healthy ecosystems clean our water, purify our air, maintain our soil, regulate the climate, recycle nutrients and provide us with food. They provide raw materials and resources for medicines and other purposes. They are at the foundation of all civilisation and sustain our economies. It's that simple: we could not live without these “ecosystem services”. They are what we call our natural capital.

You may grow your own herbs and vegetables, recycle your household waste and take your own cotton shopping bags or green bags to the supermarkets with you. Some of you may be part-time vegans to reduce your individual carbon footprint. But now, you want to take a step further to help save the planet.

Here are the top eight undeniable benefits of jute.

1. Jute is entirely biodegradable, but also compostable

The most important benefit of jute material is that it is biodegradable and compostable. It causes absolutely no threat to the environment. This means you can cut it up and place it in your garden to replenish soil nutrients and reduce the risk of pests and disease. It also promotes water retention and soil moisture while supporting new plant growth.

2. Jute is all about sustainability

Jute reaches maturity fast (approximately between four to six months), making it an incredible and efficient source of renewable material, therefore possessing the term, 'sustainable'. This speedy growth rate means less land is required to cultivate jute, therefore there is no emergent need to encroach upon natural habitats. When comparing jute against cotton, it requires far less water to survive and no pesticides or lab-manufactured fertilisers are needed.

3. Jute absorbs more carbon dioxide than trees

Studies show that the C02 assimilation rate of jute is several times higher than other trees. Studies indicate that, one hectare of jute plants can consume up to 15 tons of carbon dioxide and release 11 tons of oxygen during the jute growing season (about 100 days). Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the transport and milling of jute fibre also amounts to one-sixth of that generated during polypropylene manufacture¹.

4. Eases the pressure of petroleum

Petrol is a natural resource that is depleting at an alarming rate. Plastic and polypropylene eco-green bags use petroleum for manufacture and their shorter lifespan overburdens the environment and depletes natural resources. This puts a lot of pressure on our limited petroleum reserve. Therefore, the use of jute can really ease fossil fuel burden.

5. Jute has got the seal of approval by Clean Up Australia

Clean up Australia recommends jute as the best alternative because it's a lot more sustainable, it doesn't use as much water, and it's not used for anything else, which means there is no demand pressures such as cotton that are used for mainly fashion and homeware fabrics.

6. High production level compared to cotton

Jute has a high capacity production. Jute can produce between 20 to 40 tonnes per hectare, whilst cotton produces only 12 tonnes of cotton per hectare annually.

7. Jute is a strong and durable fiber

Not only is jute used for fashion, they are also manufactured into upholstery, coffee and potato sacks and sturdy ropes and rugs. It also has an inherent anti-static quality.

8. Jute keep your vegetables and fruits fresh

Jute is perfect for packing heat sensitive items since the fibre material is a very good insulator. Vegetables and fruits from groceries remain fresh in these bags because of its breathable fiber. The presence of lignin in jute makes it less permeable to UV rays as it acts as an UV absorber.