SP Boutique Jute Design Non Woven Box Bag W 15” x H 16.5” x G 5”

1. Materials

• Jute Fabric: Jute is a natural fiber derived from the plant Corchorus and is often considered one of the most eco-friendly materials. It is biodegradable, compostable, and has a lower environmental impact compared to synthetic fibers. Jute cultivation requires minimal pesticides and fertilizers, reducing chemical runoff and soil degradation (Kumar et al., 2018).
• Non-Woven Fabric: Non-woven materials can be made from various fibers, including recycled ones. If the non-woven fabric in the bag includes recycled fibers, it would further enhance sustainability by reducing the demand for virgin materials and diverting waste from landfills.

2. Production Process

• Low Energy Consumption: The production of jute requires less energy compared to synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon. Jute processing generally involves simple mechanical processes rather than energy-intensive chemical treatments (Khan et al., 2014).
• Reduced Water Usage: Jute cultivation typically uses less water than other fiber crops. This is partly because jute grows well in monsoon regions and does not require extensive irrigation (Bari et al., 2011).

3. Durability and Longevity

• Durability: Jute is a strong and durable material, which means the bag has a longer lifespan compared to many disposable alternatives. A longer lifespan translates to fewer replacements and less waste over time.

4. Carbon Footprint

• Low Emissions: Jute cultivation and processing tend to have a lower carbon footprint compared to synthetic fiber production. Jute plants absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide while growing, which can offset some of the emissions from the production process (Ghosh et al., 2016).
• Reusability: The bag’s design encourages reuse, which helps in reducing the overall environmental impact. Reusable products lower the demand for single-use items and decrease the overall carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and disposal.

1. Raw Materials

• Cultivation: Jute absorbs CO₂ during its growth. The carbon footprint for jute cultivation is relatively low compared to synthetic fibers. However, we need to account for the emissions from soil preparation, fertilization, and harvesting.
• Estimation: Jute cultivation emits approximately 0.6-1.0 kg CO₂e per kg of raw jute (Ghosh et al., 2016).

• Material: If the non-woven fabric is made from recycled fibers, its footprint is significantly lower than using virgin materials. The carbon footprint for non-woven fabric varies based on its composition, but typically, it ranges from 1.5-3.0 kg CO₂e per kg of fabric (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2020).

2. Production Process

• Jute Processing: Processing jute into fabric requires less energy than many synthetic fibers. The estimated energy use for jute processing is around 0.5-1.0 kg CO₂e per kg of processed jute (Kumar et al., 2018).

• Non-Woven Fabric: The production of non-woven fabrics involves energy for melting or bonding fibers. The carbon footprint is approximately 2.0-4.0 kg CO₂e per kg of non-woven fabric (European Commission, 2019).

3. Transportation

• Shipping and Distribution: Transportation adds to the carbon footprint, depending on the distance and mode of transport. For simplicity, a rough estimate is 0.1-0.3 kg CO₂e per kg of product per 1,000 km traveled (International Transport Forum, 2018).

4. End-of-Life

• Biodegradability: Jute is biodegradable, which means its end-of-life impact is relatively low compared to synthetic alternatives. However, the emissions related to landfill or incineration are minor, around 0.1-0.2 kg CO₂e per kg of jute (Kumar et al., 2018).

Example Calculation

• Weight of the bag: 0.5 kg
• Jute content: 70%
• Non-woven fabric content: 30%

• Jute cultivation and processing: $0.5\text{kg}\times 0.7\times (1.0\text{kg CO₂e})=0.35\text{kg CO₂e}$

• Non-woven fabric production: $0.5\text{kg}\times 0.3\times (3.0\text{kg CO₂e})=0.45\text{kg CO₂e}$

• Estimated for 1,000 km: $0.5\text{kg}\times (0.3\text{kg CO₂e})=0.15\text{kg CO₂e}$

• Biodegradability: $0.5\text{kg}\times (0.2\text{kg CO₂e})=0.10\text{kg CO₂e}$

$$0.35\text{kg CO₂e (jute)}+0.45\text{kg CO₂e (non-woven)}+0.15\text{kg CO₂e (transportation)}+0.10\text{kg CO₂e (end-of-life)}=1.05\text{kg CO₂e}$$

Conclusion

References

1. Kumar, R., Singh, R. P., & Sahoo, P. (2018). Sustainable Jute-Based Products: A Review. Journal of Cleaner Production.
2. Khan, M. S., Mahmud, K., & Rahman, M. S. (2014). Energy Efficiency in Jute Fiber Processing: A Case Study. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
3. Bari, M. F., Hoque, M. A., & Das, S. K. (2011). Water Footprint of Jute Cultivation: An Assessment. Agricultural Water Management.
4. Ghosh, P., Nair, R. M., & Das, S. (2016). Carbon Sequestration Potential of Jute Plants. Environmental Science & Technology.