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Plastic Shopping Bags
500 billion plastic shopping bags are used around the world each year. In the UK, the figure stands at 17 billion. Once disposed of, these plastic shopping bags can take up to 1000 years to decompose. Add to this, the fact that over 100,000 birds and other animals are injured or killed by plastic bag litter each year and it is easy to see why something needs to be done to decrease the number of plastic shopping bags we use and throw away.
Several governments around the world are working towards finding a solution. Some of them have banned the use of plastic shopping bags altogether, as in Bangladesh. Others have focused on strategies to deter people from using plastic shopping bags, such as taxation, as has been the case in the Republic of Ireland since 2002.
The UK government, however, has not implemented any solid policy to combat widespread plastic shopping bag usage, so it is, therefore, left up to the individual consumer to decide to do something to reduce the number of plastic shopping bags he/she personally uses and throws away each year.
Through our extensive research, we have found that stylish, durable alternatives to the plastic shopping bag do exist and it is our mission to bring you a good selection of them, so that as individuals, we can easily make the switch and stop adding to the global problem.
Jute Shopping Bags
Our jute shopping bags are a great alternative. They allow you to shop in style, whilst drastically reducing the number of plastic shopping bags you need to use and throw away each year. They are also durable and 100% biodegradable.
Characteristics of Jute Fabric
Jute fabric is considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics in the world. It is made from the fibre of the jute plant (Corchorus Capsularis or Corchorus Olitorius). It is one of the strongest natural fibres known to man and is the second most important vegetable fibre after cotton, in respect of the quantity produced and number of uses.
Jute fabric is also naturally water repellent, durable and once disposed of, is 100% biodegradable.
Jute Production
The main centres of cultivation and production of jute are in India and Bangladesh. India has been cultivating jute since ancient times and Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is where the heart of Indian jute processing is to be found.
Traditionally, jute has been used to produce many varied items including sacking, ropes, carpet backing, rugs, handbags, belts, planters and footwear.
Jute Cultivation
Jute is mainly cultivated on small, family owned plots along the Ganges River Delta, in both India and neighbouring Bangladesh. Traditional and predominantly organic farming methods are used in the sowing, growing and harvesting of the crop.
It takes just four to six months for jute to reach its full height of up to 12 feet. It requires a wet and warm climate, with a temperature range of between 20 to 40 degrees
Celsius. These conditions are provided by the monsoon, which arrives in India and Bangladesh during the summer months.
Once the stem has been harvested, the majority of the root is left in the soil. This biodegrades naturally and enriches the soil, to help subsequent jute crops grow successfully in the same spot.
Overall, jute requires little pesticide or fertiliser and is a mostly rain-fed crop.
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