Bagasse – A plant-based plastic alternative | Seneca Business: Principles for Responsible Management Education

Akhila Kode is a student in the Supply Chain Management - Global Logistics program. In this blog entry, she speaks about the use of bagasse as an alternative to plastic packaging and her experience with it in her past working capacity. 

What exactly is Bagasse?

Bagasse is sugarcane waste created during its manufacturing process. After the sugarcane is cultivated, the juice is extracted from the sugarcane while the remaining material is commonly known as sugarcane pulp or sugarcane fiber. Traditionally, this waste was discarded or used as animal feed. However, many people are unaware of its various potential uses.

Why should we use it?

As humans, we are increasingly aware of the deforestation happening worldwide and its dire consequences for our environment. To ensure a sustainable future, we must utilize the resources already available to us instead of relying solely on virgin materials. By doing so, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of deforestation. Moreover, one of the best practices we can adopt is to opt for compostable containers or plates, so that at the end of their useful life, they can be placed in commercial compost facilities rather than ending up in landfills, hence further reducing our ecological footprint. (Paper Green Products, 2023)

Photo by Saad Majeed

What's interesting about it?

Sugarcane is widely utilized for its juice and sugar production, but we often overlook the potential of its pulp. Instead of discarding the pulp, it can be dried and transformed into a variety of useful products such as plates, lids, cups, straws, containers, and more. This approach enables us to maximize the utility of a single sugarcane, utilizing its different components in multiple ways. By harnessing the versatility of sugarcane pulp, we can reduce waste and make more sustainable choices in our everyday lives and in business. (renouvo, 2023)

My experience with bagasse-based products

During my work experience in a previous organization, I was a member of the procurement team entrusted with the task of sourcing sustainable materials. Our company specialized in selling chai (tea) and samosas, which resulted in a significant amount of packaging waste. Recognizing this issue, our management emphasized the importance of finding environmentally friendly alternatives.

Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV

Through extensive research, we discovered an innovative company called Chuk Industries.  They specialized in producing items made from bagasse, a by-product of sugarcane processing.

To test its market response, Chuk Industries initially launched a limited number of bagasse products due to its higher cost. The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading to the company's decision to gradually transition most of its packaging to bagasse.

Bagasse-based materials offered a promising solution to our packaging waste problem. Bagasse products are not only biodegradable but also have a lower environmental impact compared to traditional packaging materials. By partnering with Chuck Industries, we were able to procure bagasse-based packaging materials for our food products. This allowed us to address the pressing issue of packaging waste while aligning with our sustainability goals. It was a significant step towards reducing our environmental footprint and promoting a more eco-conscious approach to our business operations.

If you would like to see here for more information on how sugarcane can be used to combat plastic pollution, please click here.

Akhila Kode

References:

“What Is Bagasse? 6 Benefits of Bagasse for Food Packaging.” Renouvo, 22 Nov. 2023, renouvo.net/biomass-materials/what-is-bagasse/.

“What Is Sugarcane Bagasse?” Green Paper Products, Green Paper Products, 22 Feb. 2023, greenpaperproducts.com/blog/what-is-sugarcane-bagasse.