Bagasse tableware is gaining popularity

Have you ever heard of bagasse tableware? It’s sometimes referred to as sugarcane pulp tableware and it's gaining popularity as a more sustainable alternative to plastic foodservice packaging tableware.

You might have noticed that large supermarket brands and quick service restaurant chains are replacing some of their plastic foodservice packagings tableware with a different kind of packaging that looks like cardboard, that's bagasse tableware foodservice packagings.

Foodservice packaging represents a huge opportunity to move away from conventional plastic packaging and towards a circular economy model and close the loop on waste by producing packaging from plants, such as bagasse tableware, that can be composted and returned to Earth as soil food which can be used to grow more plants. Compostable bagasse tableware food packaging also helps improve soil quality and retain water which in turn makes the land more drought resilient.

What is bagasse tableware?

Bagasse is the fibre that remains after the juice has been extracted from the sugar cane plant - bagasse is an abundant agricultural by - product with more than 54 million tons produced each year.

Put simply: it’s a plant fibre and will decompose naturally in the environment.

Sugarcane pulp packaging is extremely versatile, inexpensive, and degrades rapidly when composted at home or an industrial compost facility. It is ovenable up to 200°C.

Why we love bagasse tableware?

1. Bagasse tableware has a lower carbon footprint

Bagasse tableware is made from sugarcane waste. During the growth of the sugarcane, atmospheric carbon is captured by the plant and converted to biomass.

2. Bagasse tableware is renewable

Sugarcane is a rapidly renewable and widely available resource. In 2017, about 1.8 billion tonnes of sugarcane was harvested worldwide. While 30 per cent of the crop yields sugar products, accounting for 95 per cent of the revenue, the other two-thirds left after harvest has little economic value and is largely treated as waste. Utilising bagasse for packaging tableware further maximises the value of the crop and aligns with the principles of a circular economy.

3. Bagasse tableware is compostable

Bagasse tableware packaging will biodegrade in 30 - 90 days in composting conditions leaving behind no toxic residue and creating nutrient - rich compost instead. This makes it a perfect packaging solution for foodservice as the packaging and any remaining food can go straight into the compost bin and be diverted from landfill.

At BIOHS, we're committed to zero waste, climate - positive foodservice packaging. Our packaging solutions are made from rapidly renewable, sustainably sourced materials – like bagasse.

Looking to switch from conventional plastic? Take a look out our range of compostable BIOHS bagasse tableware takeaway containers.