JUTE OVER PLASTIC
People are more cautious about using plastic because of the enormous harm it causes to the environment. Many nations are striving to cut back on the use of plastic products, particularly plastic bags. The European Union (EU) has already enacted rules that would cut plastic bag usage by 80%. In Europe, where 45 billion plastic shopping bags are now in use, 27 countries simultaneously prohibited their usage of plastic bags starting in 2020 (The Business Post, 2022). Hence, Jute bags would be an alternative biodegradable and environmentally beneficial product if the use of plastic bags are to be declined. Herein lies a promising market opportunity for jute (Ahmed and Kader, 2014, p.3). Plastic bags are bad for the environment since they don’t degrade and they contribute to global warming. According to statistics, 100 million to 1 trillion plastic bags are used annually, and it will take roughly 1000 years to recycle them after they have caused several environmental hazards (Pavel and Supinit, 2017, p. 625). Therefore, it is anticipated that biodegradable jute bags will have many commercial opportunities on the global market in terms of environmental preservation (Amreen, 2019).
Jutebar focuses mostly on the B2B sector, while it also sells a small number of B2C products. Jutebar mostly sells corporate gift items, such as various styles of business and laptop bags. For the wine packaging, Jutebar offers jute based wine bag which protects wine and gives an extra organic look. Jutebar provides stylish grocery shopping bags for the supermarket and grocery departments. Jewelry bags are another product that Jutebar offers to various jewelry stores in the Nordic region.
Image: Samriddhi, 2021
Bags as well as other items made of jute fabric are biodegradable, so if they aren’t used for a while, they will naturally decompose, removing pollutants from the environment. Jute can also be used as garden compost. For all of these reasons, we can claim that jute is the most environmentally friendly natural fiber that currently exists. It is a natural product that decomposes within a certain time frame and does not produce any environmental damage (Top 21 Benefits of Jute and Jute Bags, 2022).
Products made of jute are frequently utilized for design and aesthetic reasons. Different jute objects are used, especially for wall decoration. For example, embroidered artwork, framed goods, framed photos, tapestries, framed mirrors, wall decals, wall hangings, storage hacking pockets, key holders, etc (Akter et al., 2020).
Jute cloth can be used for a variety of purposes, such as preventing erosion while natural vegetation takes root on reclaimed ground and containers for young trees that can be planted directly into them without harming the roots (Jute and jute goods, 2022). Jute fibers can be split into very fine threads and used to create imitation silk.
It is impossible to overstate the significance of the jute industry to the Bangladeshi economy in particular, as it provides a significant source of income for over three million small farm households, is the country’s largest industry (producing about one-third of manufacturing output), and its main export crop. About 25 million people, or nearly one-fifth of the population, depend on jute-related activities in agriculture, domestic marketing, industry, and commerce for their living (Bangladesh Jute Corporation, 2014). For the rural economy of Bangladesh jute plays a crucial role. Increased jute demand spurs growth and jobs in rural areas of the country (The Jute entrepreneurs bringing sustainable economic growth to Bangladesh, 2020).
Jute and jute crops are grown over more than 8 lakh hectares in Bangladesh. Government jute mills used to purchase an average of 13 lakh bales of jute each year, according to BJMC. Jute produced is used in 50–55 lakh bales by private sector jute mills. Up until 2012–2013, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) reported that an average of 20 lakh bales of raw jute were exported each year; however, that number has since dropped to 7-8 lakh bales. However, jute-product exports have greatly expanded (“Jute Industry in Bangladesh | History, Problems, and Prospects | Business Haunt”, 2020).
Reference
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Plastic pollution facts and information. Environment. (2019). Retrieved 12 October 2022, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution.
Akter, S., Sadekin, M., & Islam, N. (2020). Jute and Jute Products of Bangladesh: Contributions and Challenges. Asian Business Review, 10(3), 143-xxx. https://doi.org/10.18034/abr.v10i3.480
Khan, A. (2022). Ensuring a Sustainable Future for Jute Sector. Daily Sun. Retrieved 12 October 2022, from https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/637748/Ensuring-a-Sustainable-Future-for- Jute- Sector.
Top 21 Benefits Of Jute And Jute Bags 2022. www.eco-sacks.com. (2022). Retrieved 12 October 2022, from https://www.eco-sacks.com/post/advantages-of-jute-bags.
Akter, S., Sadekin, M., & Islam, N. (2020). Jute and Jute Products of Bangladesh: Contributions and Challenges. Asian Business Review, 10(3), 143-xxx. https://doi.org/10.18034/abr.v10i3.480
Jute and jute goods. Bangladesh.uz. (2022). Retrieved 12 October 2022, from https://bangladesh.uz/jute- and- jute- goods#:~:text=Jute%20is%20the%20second%20most,cloth%2C%20and%20backing%20for%20l inoleum
The Jute entrepreneurs bringing sustainable economic growth to Bangladesh. Youthbusiness.org. (2020). Retrieved 12 October 2022, from https://www.youthbusiness.org/resource/the-jute- entrepreneurs- bringing-sustainable-economic-growth-to-bangladesh
Jute Industry in Bangladesh | History, Problems, and Prospects | Business Haunt. Business Haunt. (2020). Retrieved 12 October 2022, from https://businesshaunt.com/jute-industry-in-bangladesh- history-problems-and-prospects/.
Jahan, A. (2019). The environmental and economic prospects of jute with a connection to social factors for achieving sustainable development (Dissertation). Retrieved from http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-387391
Hossain, M. M., & Nishu, N. S. (2021, March 11). State-Owned Jute Mills in Bangladesh: Problems and Possible Way-Out. International Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 16(4). https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v16n4p63
Munna, M. R. K. (2022, October 29). A high time to invest in jute diversification. The Business Post. https://businesspostbd.com/special-supplement/2022-10-30/a-high-time-to-invest-in-jute-diversification-2022-10-30