The Story of Jute: A Miracle Fibre That Can Potentially Save the Planet

Jute has been around for some time now. In fact, it was heavily cultivated in Bangladesh and parts of India and was industrialised by the British back in the 1800s. Back then no one really cared about its green properties. Due to the cheaper availability of synthetic materials, the production of this natural fibre took a hit. Thanks to greater awareness of environmental concerns, jute is back in the limelight. In terms of reusability, sustainability, and biodegradability, this highly cultivable plant fibre can potentially be the solution for a lot of environmental threats. Following are 6 reasons why jute can lead the charge against environmental pollution.

Biodegradable and Easily Compostable: Let’s start with the most obvious reason for buying jute bags and products. Anything made from 100% jute is completely biodegradable. This simply means if it ends up in a landfill it will disintegrate completely within a few years. Jute products can also be used as a raw material for creating compost both at home and at an industrial level.

 
Can Reduce Plastic Waste: Many environmentally conscious consumers choose to use jute bags instead of regular disposable bags. Much more resilient than regular plastic bags, eco-friendly jute bags can be reused, and they thus indirectly reduce plastic usage. If they are disposed of, jute can be easily recycled, and they are completely biodegradable.

 
Jute Production Is Fast and Efficient: A lot of so-called “green solutions” end up proving to be impractical because they are difficult to manufacture. There is no such problem with jute. In fact, humans have been making jute products for centuries and with limited production technologies. Jute plants grow pretty quickly as they take as little as 100 days to reach maturity. Now, because jute can be mass produced quickly, it can potentially meet the global demand for carrier bags and other jute items.

Jute Plant Requires Little to No Chemicals and Fertilizers: Cultivation usually takes a toll on the environmental. Water and soil pollution being the most common problems. Thankfully, jute plants require almost no fertilizers and herbicides. This ensures the water level under the soil remains contaminant free even after years of jute production. The limited requirement of chemicals and fertilizers also reduces the production cost. This, in turn, allows manufacturers to offer jute bags and other items at affordable prices.

Jute Plantation Absorbs Greenhouse Gases: While paper and plastic production releases greenhouse gases, making jute products can actually do the opposite. Jute plants are highly efficient in absorbing carbon dioxide. According to a study, a single hectare of jute plants can absorb 15 tons of CO2 while releasing 11 tons of oxygen in one season.

Jute Production Improves Soil Quality: Replenishing soil nutrients is a constant challenge for most farmers. This is why agriculture experts recommend using fertilizers and compost to prepare the soil between two crop cycles. Jute plants, however, naturally replenish the nutrients of the soil. Instead of depleting the soil nutrients, jute plants end up enhancing soil fertility.