The world has been moving towards greater sustainability on all levels, driven by growing awareness of plastic pollution.
One primary source of plastic waste in our world is packaging. The problem with the trash from plastic packaging is that it takes decades, if not centuries, to break down. Unfortunately, once broken down, the plastic waste persists as microplastics, endangering the health of our ecosystems.
Fortunately, plant-derived alternatives are already being used by both businesses and consumers. One of the best advantages of these plant-based plastic substitutes is that they can utilize agricultural byproducts such as sugarcane fiber.
What is sugarcane fiber?
Sugarcane fiber, also known as sugarcane bagasse or just bagasse, is the dry, pulpy, and fibrous residue of a sugarcane stalk left over after extracting the juice. Until recently, this part of the sugarcane was discarded, incinerated, fed to livestock or used as a fuel source for sugar mills.
However, as the world becomes more sustainability-minded, sugarcane fibers have become useful in manufacturing sustainable, biodegradable plastic substitutes. And because it is a byproduct of sugarcane farming, it is an abundant and renewable resource.
Read more about Biopolymers here!
What is sugarcane fiber packaging?
Sugarcane fiber packaging is any packaging made from bagasse, usually in the form of paper or cardboard. Or it can be crafted from bioplastic derived from sugarcane fiber cellulose.
How is sugarcane fiber packaging made?
Here are the steps that go into sugarcane fiber extraction and its subsequent conversion into biodegradable packaging:
- First, harvested sugarcane stalls have all their juice and nutritional components extracted. Only the bagasse fibers remain after the extraction.
- Next, the fibers are finely blended with water. This process creates a pulp with a consistency similar to wood pulp.
- Additives are mixed in with the pulp before being pressed into the shape of a packaging product by applying pressure and high temperatures.
- Once cooled and set, the resulting packaging is removed from its mold and prepared for transport and sale.
How sugarcane fiber is used to make bioplastics?
Sugarcane fibers are also a crucial ingredient in making bioplastics. These plastics have the same physical and chemical properties as regular plastic and retain full recycling capabilities with a smaller environmental footprint.
The process is similar to the steps above, but instead of being molded, the bagasse is treated to extract cellulose fibers. They are then modified and processed into polymer resins. These resins form the base material for bio-based plastics.
Types of sugarcane fiber packaging
Sugarcane fiber is exceptionally versatile. A wide variety of packaging products can be produced from this material, including:
- Food packaging
- Clamshell containers
- Shopping bags
- Takeaway containers
- Delivery and shipping boxes
- Parcel boxes
- Garment bags
- Meat trays
- Produce trays
- Cups
What else can be made using sugarcane fiber?
Besides packaging, other products that can be made from sugarcane fiber include:
- Plates
- Bowls
- Straws
- Clothes and textiles
- Paper and cardboard
- Utensils
- Biofuel
Uses of sugarcane fiber packaging
Sugarcane fiber packaging has expanded into a wide variety of practical applications, making it a suitable substitute for not just plastic and styrofoam but also wood-derived paper and cardboard:
- Garment bags: Sugarcane fiber garment bags offer the same level of strength, durability and functionality as polythene covers with the bonus of being environmentally friendly.
- Food packaging: Sugarcane fiber packaging is resistant to oils, water and heat. This makes it perfect for storing greasy, wet, or hot food.
- Dining events: Sugarcane fiber plates, straws and takeaway containers provide a more sustainable option for dining or catering events.
- Takeaway and food delivery: Takeaway food containers made from sugarcane fibers are non-toxic, heat and oil-resistant, and freezer and microwave-safe. This makes them well-suited for delivering hot or greasy food.
- Gift products: Sugarcane fiber boxes are a more durable choice for gift products. There is even sugarcane fiber wrapping paper for all your gift-wrapping needs.
- Beverages: Reusable cups made from sugarcane fiber are available for your beverage needs.
Advantages and disadvantages of sugarcane fiber packaging
Although sugarcane fiber packaging is environmentally friendly, it has its own pros and cons.
Advantages of sugarcane fiber packaging
Sugarcane fiber packaging offers a variety of advantages over conventional plastic packaging:
- Renewable: There is no shortage of bagasse, with 100 million tonnes being created annually. Additionally, sugarcane can regrow completely in 8 to 10 months, so it’s considered rapidly renewable.
- Biodegradable: Unlike plastics, sugarcane fiber packaging will decompose naturally, ensuring that its base substances are returned to the environment without harm.
- Compostable: Sugarcane fiber packaging can be sent to commercial composting facilities to be composted into eco-friendly fertilizer. This nutrient-rich bagasse fertilizer contains nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.
Read: Biodegradable vs compostable products.
- Recyclable: If commercial composting facilities are unavailable, sugarcane fiber packaging is often suitable for recycling alongside cardboard.
- Reduces waste: As sugarcane fiber is an agricultural byproduct, using it for manufacturing packaging ensures it does not go to waste.
- Versatility: Sugarcane fiber can be shaped and molded to suit various practical applications.
- Freezer-safe: Sugarcane fiber packaging can withstand cold temperatures, making it safe for freezer storage.
- Lightweight and oil-resistant: These traits make sugarcane fiber packaging a good choice for packaging greasy food.
- Reduces wood usage: Sugarcane fiber has been shown to reduce wood usage by more than 52%. This makes a suitable replacement for cardboard boxes, plywood and particleboard.
- Reduced carbon footprint: The production of sugarcane fiber is highly energy efficient and emits fewer greenhouse gasses than plastic production.
- Brand image: Using sugarcane fiber packaging helps to broadcast your business’s commitment to sustainability. This also creates a closer connection with more environmentally-minded consumers.
- Low-cost: As an abundant agricultural byproduct, sugarcane fibers are cheap to purchase, lending cost-effectiveness to the end products.
Disadvantages of sugarcane fiber packaging
However, there are also some disadvantages:
- Bleaching: Sugarcane fiber packaging may require bleaching during manufacture, potentially exposing it to harmful chemicals.
- PFAS: Some sugarcane fiber products may contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to lend durability. PFAS is, however, a toxic and non-biodegradable chemical that contaminates the soil and water.
- Moisture sensitivity: In certain environments, sugarcane fiber packaging can absorb moisture, which might affect its durability.
- Limited heat resistance: While sugarcane fiber packaging has high heat resistance (enough to be microwave-safe), it may lose strength when exposed to temperatures above 95°C.
- Poor shelf life: Sugarcane fiber packaging may quickly degrade from heat or moisture exposure if improperly kept.
Despite these disadvantages and limitations, the numerous advantages of sugarcane fiber make it a viable option for environmentally friendly packaging.
Where to buy sugarcane fiber packaging?
Currently, sugarcane fiber packaging is provided by specialist eco-friendly stores or suppliers.
An increasingly wider adoption by various industries, such as F&B and fashion, will inevitably lead to greater availability and distribution.
FAQ
Is sugarcane fiber a waste product?
Sugarcane fiber or bagasse is the dry, pulpy, and fibrous residue that remains after a sugarcane stalk is crushed. It is typically considered agricultural waste and may be used as fuel for the sugar production process.
Is sugarcane fiber sustainable?
Sugarcane fiber is sourced from an abundant and rapidly growing crop, ensuring a renewable supply chain. Its biodegradability ensures it does not persist in the environment and can even revitalize soils.
However, sugarcane farming may also have issues with deforestation, soil depletion and human rights abuses. Additionally, if the sugarcane is not food-grade, it may contain pesticides, heavy metals or other harmful chemicals.
Is sugarcane fiber packaging recyclable?
Some sugarcane fiber packaging brands are recyclable and can be put together with cardboard. However, as with standard paper and cardboard, you must ensure it is clean and residue-free. Otherwise, they might contaminate the recycling stream and be dumped into a landfill.
Is sugarcane fiber packaging biodegradable?
Yes. Most sugarcane fiber packaging is biodegradable and can be decomposed by microbial action.
However, some sugarcane fiber packaging contains toxic chemicals that make them ill-suited for decomposition. As such, you must check that your packaging is sourced from food-grade sugarcane to avoid concerns about pesticides or heavy metals.
Bagasse-derived bioplastics can be engineered to be biodegradable. However, the specific biodegradability of the material depends on its composition and processing methods.
Is sugarcane fiber packaging compostable?
Yes, sugarcane fiber packaging is compostable. When composted in a dedicated facility, sugarcane fiber packaging will take as little as 60 days to break down entirely.
They are also suitable for home composting. So, when you are finished with your sugarcane fiber packaging, you can throw it into your compost pile and turn it into fertilizer for your garden.
Is sugarcane fiber packaging eco-friendly?
Yes, sugarcane fiber packaging is considered eco-friendly as it reduces our dependence on petroleum-based plastics.
Additionally, its materials are sourced from an abundant and rapidly growing crop, and its production has a lower carbon footprint than plastic.
While it is usually biodegradable and compostable, some packaging may contain chemical additives or be contaminated with pesticides.
As such, you must always check if your packaging’s material is sourced from food-grade sugarcane and if it contains any synthetic additives.
Is bagasse costly?
Bagasse products are slightly more expensive than their plastic counterparts, likely due to the more complex machinery and processes involved.
However, bagasse products are a far more cost-effective investment due to their versatility, durability and biodegradability.
Crucially, the sugarcane industry produces vast amounts of bagasse as a byproduct, making them a highly abundant and renewable resource.
Is bagasse better than plastic?
Yes. Compared to petroleum-based plastics, sugarcane fiber or bagasse is a more sustainable alternative. It reduces carbon emissions, promotes resource efficiency, and is biodegradable.
Best of all, sugarcane is a widely grown cash crop that can regrow after harvesting, making bagasse a highly renewable resource.
What is the shelf life of bagasse?
While bagasse products have no maximum shelf life, most brands recommend that you store their products in a cool, dry area to achieve a maximum life expectancy of 2+ years.
Additionally, bagasse products should not be exposed to temperatures of 43° Celsius or more.
Can bagasse replace plastic?
Today, bagasse has become one of the best alternatives to plastic due to its biodegradability and renewable sources. As oil reserves will inevitably deplete, bagasse will take over plastic’s role as the chief material for manufacturing packaging and other goods.
Is bagasse flammable?
Bagasse is a flammable substance, lending to its use as a fuel. While some bagasse products have high-temperature resistance, it is recommended that you keep them away from an open flame as they may not necessarily be fireproof.
Is bagasse waterproof?
Several bagasse products are designed to have high water resistance to make them suitable for various applications. This, however, does not mean that they are waterproof, as submerging bagasse products in water for too long will damage them.
The future of sugarcane fiber
Sugarcane fiber was once seen as an undesirable byproduct of the sugar industry and as agricultural waste fit only for feeding livestock or fueling flames.
Today, in our eco-conscious world, however, this byproduct is now providing us with an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic.
Sugarcane fiber packaging is already being widely adopted by many industries thanks to its versatility, durability, biodegradability, and abundance. Research forecasts that the sugarcane fiber packaging market will only continue to grow, especially with consumers becoming more environmentally conscious.
Advancements in sugarcane fiber production are being made even as we speak. With every improvement made, we are one step closer to removing the limitations of bagasse packaging. And it is evident in the foreseeable future that we will finally make this product genuinely sustainable.
With this bright future ahead, it is only natural for businesses to shift towards sugarcane fiber packaging. And by joining this shift, your business will make its first steps into environmental friendliness and sustainability.
So don’t be afraid to join the sustainability crusade now!
