jute - the golden fibre
Jute is a natural fibre, and one of the strongest around.
Traditionally farmed, it is grown in similar conditions to organic farming. There is crop rotation, no pesticides and nothing is GM.
It is mainly grown in the Bengal area (India and Bangladesh), and grows fully in 4-6 months.
When the plant is in flower, the jute is harvested, usually between July and October, and goes through a process of retting where the fibres are extracted from within the stalk.
Jute is fully sustainable; it is estimated that there is enough jute in the world to provide everybody in the world with 2 bags per year!
Jute is the second most important vegetable fibre after cotton; not only for cultivation, but also for various uses.
Jute is very versatile, as all of the plant is used:
The fibres are used to make - Bags, Fabrics, Twine/Rope, Paper, Shoes, Carpet backing
The outer is used for firewood, and the leaves are used for food
juco, the eco alternative
Juco is the new eco alternative to cotton and canvas bags
It is made from 75% jute and 25% cotton. It has been developed to take the best properties of both jute and cotton to create an eco alternative. It offers all the benefits that jute provides PLUS:
Juco has a much finer weave, very similar to cotton or canvas
Juco has all the versatility of both jute and cotton, so can be used in much the same way - shopping bags, wine bottle bags, sandwich bags,fashion bags etc.
FACTOID - It is estimated cotton uses 2.5% of the worlds water!
For more information:
JMDC - the Jute Manufacturers Development Council
Know Jute
Jute on Wikipedia
International Jute Study Group