What is Sugarcane Bagasse? Sustainable Packaging Solutions

As the generation progress, people become aware of the consequences of each action they take. Especially for the environment. Since then, governments, businesses and individuals alike make effort to continuously strive for sustainability. Bagasse packaging is one of its results. But, first, what is sugarcane bagasse?

What is Bagasse?

Bagasse is a waste product of sugarcane after the farmers squeezed the stalks. It’s a cellulose fibre that is originally discarded, thus its name bagasse, an Italian word that means trash or garbage. While the name also extends to some plant product waste, it’s exclusively used for sugarcane offshoots nowadays.

It’s being used in a number of ways such as paper production, building materials, the base of livestock feed and power production.  Due to all the ways it can be used, bagasse is quickly becoming a staple of sustainability efforts all over the world.

Bagasse has a brown or beige natural colour though it can be bleached to white. It is prominently used in the food industry as packaging and cutleries for its great properties which will be listed below.

Materials from living organisms or renewable resources are called bio-based materials. You can find more about them and some bio-based product ideas in the blog below:

Why Bagasse Is Advantageous For Your Packaging?

Not Affected by Temperature

One of the best benefits of bagasse packaging is it’s not affected by temperature. It can withstand until 97 °C.

So, it’s microwave and freezer safe. Moreover, it’s cut and moist-resistant.

Renewable

Sugarcane is harvested every season which means there will be bagasse every 6 months as well.

In addition to that, for every 10 tonnes of sugarcane crushed, there is a byproduct of 3 tonnes of bagasse.

Compostable

Since it’s a plant byproduct, bagasse degrades completely into the environment, enriching the soil.

It takes 90 days for bagasse to completely degrade which can be industrially done as it composts faster under certain environments.

Sturdy

Bagasse is made of 45-55% cellulose fibres, contributing to its strength.

Aside from packaging, it’s also widely used as cutlery in the food industry due to its durability similar to plastic.

We listed some more packaging solutions for you below:

Go Green with Molded Paper Pulp Packaging: The Why and Your Options

Best Sustainable Packaging Innovations: Kraft Paper Containers

Green Manufacturing – Corn Starch Packaging

Green Manufacture – Rice Husk Packaging

Eco-Friendly Packaging Concepts to Attract Eco-Conscious Buyers

As we continue our quest for a more sustainable way of living, there’s a continuous effort to find and reuse materials that will help us preserve our finite resources. For more ideas and materials you can use, check out our sustainable marketing here:

Essentially,

Bagasse is a waste byproduct that is turned into a material that can be used in a number of vital ways from power production to the replacement of paper made from trees. It also has natural properties that be beneficial to everyday use which makes it a great partner for the food industry.

Here at ODM, we’re committed to contributing to the change into sustainable marketing. We’re a promotional product and display company that specialises in customisation alongside our in-house team, Mindsparkz.

Aside from eco-friendly packaging, we offer a wide spectrum of services. We can assist you in manufacturing promotional merchandise, corporate gifts and purchase-with-purchase products as well as designing point-of-sale displays, branded FSDU and POP displays. Contact us today!

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