Bangladeshi scientist develops biodegradable and compostable jute bag

[Bilal9]

A new biodegradable and compostable bag invented by a Bangladeshi scientist seeks to replace environmentally toxic polythene bags in the market. Sonali Bag, as it is called, turns into ashes when burnt, starts to dissolve into water within 4-5 hours, and degrades in soil within months. Made out of jute fibre, the bag is currently produced in a pilot project, but has both commercial and export potentials. Dr Mubarak Ahmad Khan, the award-winning scientist who invented the material, talks to The Daily Star as to how they made it happen and about his future plans.

 

[Sine Nomine]

A great thing for environment.

 

[bluesky]

I thought jute itself is an ecology-friendly biodegradable material like any other agricultural material. However, if the jute cellulose/polymer can be turned into something transparent like the polythene sheet/bag with enough tensile strength to carry goods, a market for jute based bags will be created throughout the world.

I found the newspaper reporting insufficient to provide any data. The two pictures also do not say anything.

 

[UKBengali]

Thought all jute bags were biodegradable?

 

[Bilal9]

Thought all jute bags were biodegradable?

Jute bags woven from jute themselves are. This guy took the cellulose component of jute polymerized it and added binders to make plastic sheeting from jute cellulose (then bags from it). In most countries poly-ethylene (polythene is brand name) or polypropylene shopping bags are not bio-degradable and cause huge problems with riverine/marine life and trash clogging up canals and rivers (like in Bangladesh). Bags like those were banned in Bangladesh starting in 2012 but enforcement has not succeeded completely.

Plastic trash is a huge issue and is destroying our oceans.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_garbage_patch#cite_note-natural_history-10

The first video shows it all.

 

[Sugarcane]

Every year you guys develop this bag, start commercial production already if it's successful

 

[Bilal9]

Every year you guys develop this bag, start commercial production already if it's successful

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2018/10/02/bjmc-to-produce-jute-bags-for-futamura-chemical

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/environment/2018/10/11/when-will-sonali-bag-hit-the-market

Commercial production in the UK:



Part2 05 Futamura UK – Packaging to enhance daily life - ITN Productions