Sustainable living is important for so many reasons. You may value the ability to keep your family healthy without relying on products with harsh chemical ingredients, or you may simply want to avoid contributing to landfills and be more environmentally conscious.
But have you considered the sustainable alternatives to cotton and other textiles? What about the qualities of jute? While it may not be as well-known as other materials, this sustainable alternative to cotton is one that deserves attention.
Whatever reason you have for wanting to go green, this article is here to give you everything you need to discover the world of possibilities this sustainable product has to offer, and why you need to jump on board!
So, What is Jute?
Jute is a renewable raw material that has been cultivated for centuries. The Jute plant, Corchorus Capsularis, produces the longest, and most used natural fibers for different textile applications. Jute fiber makes up about 75% of the plant that grows over five feet tall!
The nickname ‘golden fiber' comes from the lush, golden appearance these natural fibers have after they have been processed. The fiber processing technique is based on preference, but it can either be processed manually or by using a machine.
Jute is a rain-fed crop that grows in about 120 days from April to August, flourishing in lowland tropical areas with humidity of 60-90%. Per hectare, this incredible plant produces yields of around 2 tonnes of dry fiber. It’s grown naturally by farmers across India, however, it can grow pretty much anywhere.
Perhaps the best way to understand the incredible versatility of this sustainable living alternative is by seeing how it’s being used.
What are the main uses of Jute?
Jute can be processed into many different products. Here are some of the main uses of this incredibly attractive and sustainable alternative:
Household Products
The primary consumer markets that use recycled Jute materials include quilts, pillows, and upholstery padding. Jute batting material can be exceptionally useful to fill pillows with a high level of resilience, comfort, and affordability. The short fibers serve as a lightweight material with good insulation properties that are also easy to compress and mold into the desired shape.
While the batting is made from the plant fibers leftover from processing jute for industrial uses. This batting can make furniture more comfortable by adding softness to absorb sound, reduce vibration and dampen the movement of buttons or zippers.
Textiles
Yarn and twine, sack, hessian, and carpet backing cloth are just a few of the high-quality manufactured goods produced from jute fiber. It has excellent tensile strength, low extensibility, and promotes the breathability of textiles. The fibers are woven into curtains, chair covers, carpets, and even rugs.
Rope
Rope is probably one of the most versatile products that can be made from jute because there are so many different types of knotting and braiding techniques. There are also many different uses for rope, from carrying a suitcase to tying a boat's anchor.
Paper
Jute paper is similar to normal paper, except that it's stronger and more durable. This material has even been proven to be much more sustainable than bamboo paper, which was once considered the future of renewable goods. The production of Jute paper requires no harmful chemicals or bleaching like cotton, and it can even be recycled up to three times!
Fabrics
This textile can be blended with wool, cotton, and synthetic fibers to create uniquely blended fabrics. Not only is it extremely strong, but it also allows for breathability and durability. You can even dye and print on them just like any other fabric.
Apparel
Jute is also gaining interest in specialty apparel markets such as socks and interior furnishings due to its softness and comfort. In fact, a majority of jute fiber produced currently goes into non-woven composites used in construction, especially for thermal insulation. Jute is also used as an essential ingredient in the manufacturing of jute pile fabrics, which are known for their softness and durability.
By-products
The industry of jute includes a wide range of by-products, including cosmetics, medicine, paints, and other items. Jute stalks can even be used as fencing materials in rural regions where jute is cultivated.
In addition to these incredible uses, jute can also be used to make yarn, insulation materials, packaging tape, reinforced plastic, animal bedding, mulch mats for landscaping applications, geotextiles for controlling soil erosion, and even underlayment for wood flooring.