Jute can be the potential gateway to circular economy
Dr Md. Zakir Hossain :
The concept of ‘circular economy’ has been developed through management of the total ecosystem which could revolutionize by adding modern technology. This technology-based concept processes maximise uses of resources, reduces the daily needs by replacement, avoids waste, and extends the product life cycles. As a result, carbon emission is reduced and the environment is protected from pollution. Circular economy model balances production and consumption. If recycling technologies are available in certain areas, it is possible to treat the waste as raw material for other industries. In a nutshell, today’s waste could become tomorrow’s raw material – just like nature. Incorporating the modern technologies into this circular economy is now the most critical issue for the researchers.
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), under the Ministry of Agriculture is now working on the matter. It is the oldest research institute of the country as well as of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). Since 1951, BJRI has been conducting research on all aspects of jute from field to diversified product development to marketing. In spite of limited resources, the scientists of BJRI are relentlessly working to develop new technologies on jute agriculture and industry. Globally, jute is the second most important natural fibre after cotton and Bangladesh produces the finest quality jute due to its congenial production environment. The cultivation of jute and manufacturing of its products play a vital role in the socio-economic growth of Bangladesh. Growing international concern on green environment and interest for diversified jute products have prompted Bangladeshi jute manufactures and exporters to develop value added jute products by using the best quality natural fibre. In the export market of the present world the share of Bangladeshi jute goods and raw jute are 70 and 90 percent respectively. BJRI scientists are working relentlessly to achieve the objectives of the organisation through the development of the jute based new technologies. For the first time in the world, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute unveiled the “Genome Sequence of both white (Corchorus capsularis) and tossa (Corchorus olitorius) jute. This invention brings new dimension of researches on jute agriculture and industry as well. BJRI laboratory have already developed some technology for developing composite by incorporation of different parts of jute with plastic and other daily waste components that can ensure circular economy.
Jute fibre has a long history in the world of fashion as the material was used to make coarse-threaded baskets and bags. Before jute started losing popularity in the 60s, this fibre supported the livelihoods of 25 million people. Jute is a plant all parts of which have extensive uses and a good sequester of carbon. It is the cheapest natural bast fibre has been reigning the packaging world for more than 200 years. Around 4.0 to 4.5 million small and subsistence farmers derive their livelihood from Jute and Allied Fibre (JAF) crop production. Incorporation of jute in the cropping pattern increases soil fertility through the addition of 07 ton/ha biomass. Moreover, jute has low pesticide and fertilizer needs.
Jute has high tensile strength and low extensibility and ensures better breath ability of fabrics. Jute stem has very high volume of cellulose that can be procured within 4-6 months, and hence it also can save the forest and meet cellulose and wood requirement of the world. Jute has the ability to be blended with other fibres, both synthetic and natural. Global annual consumption of Polythene bags is 500 billion -1.0 trillion pieces. If a country like Ireland with 1.23 million shoppers, 50 per cent of polythene users switch to natural fibres 15,100 MT of CO2 emissions would be prevented every year. Estimated demand of food grade jute bags is 57 million against current supply of only about 12 million bags. For every 1-tonne fibre production, jute cultivation removes 15.00-tonne CO2 from the atmosphere and adds 10.66-tonne O2.
Jute, once the Golden Fibre of Bangladesh has passed through a period of hard time. But through its inherent potentials it not only has retained its existence but also focusing on a brighter future again. As an eco-friendly and versatile natural fibre, jute has entered in many diverse sectors of industry and now jute is designated as fibre for future. Developing a successful 3R (R1-Recycle, R2-Reuse and R3 Reduce) program, BJRI have already revealed a composite technology using wastes and jute using dry wash technology. It is needed to improve for generating biodegradable nature of composite (BNC). BNC from jute blended waste composite will be further usable as plain paper, packaging material and many other recycled households as well as official activities. 1,500 million liters of water are consumed in the garment factories of Bangladesh every year in dyeing and washing yarn and cloth. In this case, the more water there is, the more gas needs to be used for heat application to boil it. Therefore, if one can reduce the use of water, the precious fuel natural gas will also be saved. This works needs intensive financing.
If we figured out the avenue to incorporate jute in the circular economy, it may guide our economy to coup with the shock of least developed countries (LDCs) graduation. In this case, we can start it as a pilot form in small scale like BJRI campus. This 3R model program will transform our society as pollution free smart society for the greener world. We have both natural and human resources but need to nurture or proper utilization. The European Commission has already drawn up circular Economy Action Plan. China, Brazil, Canada, the United States and Japan are also working to transform their economies into circular economies. Bangladesh also needs to take the same initiative. There is no time to delay moving to a circular economy. Jute may be a potential candidate in the gateway of global circular economy.
(The writer is Principal Scientific Officer, Planning Department, Planning, Training and Communication Division, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute).
