How Is Bagasse Food Packaging Environmentally Friendly?
One of the biggest benefits of bagasse food packaging products is that they are environmentally friendly. Indeed, this food packaging material is best known for being one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly materials out there. Although single-use packaging cannot really be avoided any time soon, the manufacture and use of bagasse can make all the difference in the world.
At present, an increasing number of businesses are already investing in sugarcane bagasse food containers to package or store their food products. If this demand for bagasse continues, it would really be a big help to the environment. Read on to understand more about how food packaging items made from sugarcane bagasse are environmentally friendly.
What is bagasse food packaging made from?
Bagasse food packaging is made from sugarcane bagasse. Bagasse is basically the waste from the sugarcane plants that are set aside after the sugar has been extracted. In other words, it is the left-over fibre from the sugarcane that remains after the cane has been used for extracting sugar. Since sugarcane farmers produce nearly 80% of the world’s sugar, there are enormous amounts of available bagasse produced every year.
Originally, bagasse was utilised as a biofuel. However, the value of this material for the packaging industry has been so well-explored over the years that today, bagasse is already used to make an array of food packaging items, including plates, bowls, and takeaway containers. In some countries, bagasse also serves as an alternative for wood to produce paper, pulp, and board.
Bagasse Products Biodegrade Easily
As mentioned earlier, sugarcane bagasse is best known for being one of the most eco-friendly materials out there. For one, this food packaging material is easily biodegradable. Typically, products made from sugarcane bagasse biodegrade within 90 days. However, of course, the decomposition rate largely depends on the composting conditions, such as the temperature, moisture, and turnover rate.
Nonetheless, compared to the other materials, sugarcane bagasse products will generally biodegrade much faster, especially if they are broken down into smaller pieces. Aside from being biodegradable, these products are also compostable, which means that in commercial composting facilities, sugarcane bagasse items can break down much faster. In as little as 60 days, bagasse can already be fully composted.
Bagasse Food Packaging Can Be Recycled
Another main reason why sugarcane bagasse food packaging is environmentally friendly and sustainable is that it is 100% recyclable. Like a number of disposable food packaging, bagasse food packaging can be recycled with other materials like cardboard. For as long as the material is clean and no food residue remains in it, bagasse packaging is absolutely suitable for recycling, reusing, or repurposing.
Sugarcane Bagasse is Renewable
Sugarcane is a widely available and rapidly renewable resource. This means that it is capable of being renewed or reproduced quickly. For instance, in 2017 alone, around 1.8 billion tonnes of sugarcane were harvested around the world. Although 30% of the crop produces sugar products, the other two-thirds that remain after harvest has little economic value and is considered as waste. So, the use of bagasse for food packaging is a great way to further maximise the value of the crop.
Conclusion
There is no denying that sugarcane bagasse is among the most eco-friendly and sustainable food packaging materials out there. This is mainly because this supposed “waste” from the sugarcane crop is 100% biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable, while sugarcane itself is totally renewable. So, if you are trying to be an eco-conscious business owner, bagasse products are the food packaging option you should definitely choose!
For the best-quality sugarcane bagasse food containers in Singapore, Supply Smiths is the supplier you can count on! We offer top-notch and durable bagasse food packaging products that are easy to use, multi-functional, and 100% environmentally friendly. Besides bagasse, we also supply a variety of the most excellent disposable food containers in Singapore for food takeaways.
Do not hesitate to browse our complete collection today to learn more about our reliable food packaging products.