When it comes to sustainable, eco-friendly materials, cotton always gets the most press. It’s a versatile and durable material that can be shaped into clothes and accessories. Plus, it’s entirely reusable, meaning that it helps people cut back on plastic waste. However, for all its benefits, it still requires a lot of resources to produce. Therefore, it isn’t as environmentally friendly as a lot of people are led to believe.
This is why jute is a much superior option. Made from the fibrous stalks of the jute plant, this material is the absolute leader in durability. For one thing, it’s strong and resistant to tears. What’s more, the fibres are easy to work with. Therefore, manufacturers can use jute to craft almost anything, from carpets to industrial-grade bags, sacks, and packaging. Jute accessories are also quite popular, with jute bags currently dominating bohemian fashion trends.
Not only are these bags stylish and functional, but they’re also excellent promotional items. Companies can use them to raise brand awareness and revamp their image. Jute is an eco-friendly superstar, so any business that invests in personalised jute bags will be broadcasting to their customers that they care about protecting the environment!
Jute: A Brief Overview
The secret behind jute’s green status lies in how it’s cultivated. The material comes from the flowering jute plant, which thrives in the warm, humid climates of Thailand and Bangladesh. There are two varieties of jute — white jute and Tossa jute. White jute is primarily used as a clothing material, but many Indians regularly employ this fabric to fashion various household items like ropes and twine.
Tossa jute is also a clothing material. However, some Middle Eastern countries like Syria and Jordan also prefer to use Tossa jute in various traditional recipes. The plant is loaded with beneficial vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C, as well as magnesium. Plus, jute is a fairly high-yield material.
It grows at a rapid rate, reaching around 4 m in height in just 5 months. Furthermore, it can yield 40-50 tonnes of green plant materials per hectare, which roughly amounts to 2.0-2.5 tonnes of fibre. Consequently, growing jute is extremely lucrative, especially since the long, soft, and shiny strands can make amazing accessories.
But, the biggest advantage of jute is its ability to clean the air around it. The stalks require vast amounts of carbon dioxide to grow. Therefore, they can act as air purifiers and help filter out excess greenhouse gases. In fact, just one hectare of jute can clear out a staggering 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The plant also releases around 11 tonnes of oxygen, making it the supreme climate change warrior.
Pros and Cons of Promotional Jute Products
As mentioned, jute is an environmental heavyweight. Though the plant requires a lot of effort to harvest, the benefits it offers are unmatched by any other eco-friendly material. However, sustainability isn’t all jute has to offer. The fibre has a solid mixture of pros and cons that make it a suitable choice for any branded item.
1. Pros
Jute is one of the best vegetable fibres available. Though it’s second to cotton in terms of popularity, the material is actually better than cotton in several distinct ways.
- Durable — While cotton feels and looks lovely, as a material, it isn’t very sturdy. Depending on the craftsmanship, cotton bags can tear very easily, especially when they carry heavy loads. In contrast, jute is famous for its tensile strength. The material can withstand very heavy loads and is resistant to the elements. Thus, it’s a fan-favourite in agricultural sectors and the textile industry, where manufacturers use it to make burlap sacks, among many other things.
- Airy — Despite being fairly durable, jute is a very light and breathable material. Therefore, it’s the perfect option for a branded summer beach bag or a boho-style promotional T-shirt.
- Customisable — Like cotton, jute takes on printer ink like a dream. Therefore, companies can easily print their logo on jute accessories freely, without having to worry about their logo fading away.
- Affordable — Jute is not only an eco-friendly powerhouse, but it’s also quite inexpensive. The average jute tote bag costs between £1.31 and £4.59. What’s more, ordering them from wholesale retailers like GoPromotional is likely to net a brand an even greater discount. When taking into account their versatility and durability, they’re the #1 promotional item for any company on a tighter budget.
2. Cons
Despite all its wonderful benefits, jute isn’t without its flaws.
- Contains synthetic mineral oils — When making the bags, manufacturers will often spray them with a substance called jute batching oil. Though the oil helps soften the fabric, there is some evidence to suggest it’s a carcinogen. But, the good news is that more and more sellers are offering jute bags with no added hydrocarbons.
- Not 100% biodegradable — Overall, jute as a material is biodegradable. However, some producers will line the inside of many jute handbags with laminated plastic. The coating supposedly helps improve the bag’s shape and durability. But since it makes up a total of 10-15% of the bag’s overall weight, it isn’t completely eco-friendly.
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To Sum Up
When it comes to the sustainability game, there is no better material than jute. This neat fibre comes from the jute plant and is one of the best weapons against the shifting climate. Plus, it’s amazing for making branded accessories. It’s cheap, easy to customise, and, most importantly, affordable. Thus, it’s the ultimate material of choice for any brand looking to champion a good cause.
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