Lesson #1 - "Sugar Cane."

2020-05-14

The world around us consists of a rich diversity of nature, as well as billions of living beings, towards which we are finally no longer indifferent. Our deepening environmental awareness is influencing small changes in our daily lives, which we hope will translate into a better tomorrow. SlowPack was founded with the future in mind, which is why each of our products features certified material that complies with European standards, and what's more, the vast majority are also fully compostable. We have to admit that the decision to choose an assortment for our store was not easy. It required us to get a good idea of the market and deepen our knowledge, because as it turns out, not everything called EKO is environmentally friendly. Therefore, with you in mind, we prepared short lessons on the raw materials from which our packaging was created. You have to start somewhere, so the topic of the first lesson will be sugar cane. What exactly it is, how it can be used and how many practical products are made from it - it's high time to dispel all doubts.

What is sugarcane?

As is usually the case, the exploration of a topic should be done by clarifying the meaning of the key term for it. So what exactly is sugarcane? The most common term is that it is an edible plant, used mainly for sugar production. This is certainly undeniable. However, this is not its only use - but about that later.

Cultivation of sugarcane is most often in areas of South America or India due to the fact that its growth is favored by high temperatures reaching even above 30°C. Now you know why it is grown primarily in tropical regions. One of its most important advantages is the small number of requirements, because if it is provided with the right conditions there is really not much left for us - there is no need for frequent fertilization or watering, and yet it grows very quickly. Such a solution is an ideal example of ecological cultivation because of the cuttings, which do not deplete the environment.

Organic white sugarcane plate 20 × 20 cm - make sure your meals are not only tasty, but also beautifully served.

The use of sugar cane, or how many options we have to choose from

There is no denying that sugar cane is primarily a raw material from which the characteristic brown sugar and sugar syrup are produced. Thus, it is ubiquitous in the catering industry and the alcohol industry. In addition, it can be used in, among other things:

the biofuel production process;
the paper and pharmaceutical industries;
cosmetology, e.g., as squalane oil;
in medicine as a soothing and analgesic.

We, on the other hand, would like to draw special attention to a rather unusual application that still many people are not aware of - the creation of eco-friendly disposable dishes. Thanks to such possibilities, we are able to significantly minimize or completely exclude plastic products from circulation in favor of those natural and harmless to us and the environment.

Natural sugar cane container in white with extra space for dip - this is a particularly recommended solution for nachos lovers.

Production secrets - how are sugarcane dishes made?

The production process is very often a huge mystery to us due to the difficulty in accessing information about it. In order to satisfy your curiosity at least a little, we have written down the most important issues about the various stages of the production of sugar cane dishes - plates, packaging, boxes or cups. What does it look like step by step?

As a result of pressing sugarcane juice (from which sugar is produced), a dry, fibrous material (bagasse) remains, which used to be treated as waste. However, over time it was rightly recognized that it could be reused for something more useful.
The next step is to crush the bagasse and clean it with water.
The third step is to knead the flakes, from which something resembling paper is formed. It is this end product that is now used to make sugarcane plates, among other things.

Nature gives us a multitude of different solutions that we are able to practically use - we just need to take a little longer to think about them and get started.

Eco sugarcane fork 16,2 cm - durable and resistant to high and low temperatures.

Is sugarcane packaging, containers or utensils compostable?

Although more and more eco products are appearing on the market, not all that advertise themselves in this way should really be called so. However, there is no doubt about sugarcane dishes - they are not only eco-friendly, but also fully compostable.

In industrial composters they decompose in 40-60 days, while in home composters the decomposition process is a bit slower - it takes up to several months. However, there is nothing to worry about, the packaging or sugarcane plate produced in this way does not contain any toxic substances that could get into the soil during this time.

Are you looking for something proven for your catering business? Compostable 600 ml sugarcane unlined menubox always works perfectly.

Where to dispose of sugarcane boxes? A collection of characteristic features.

Since sugarcane containers are an ecological and safe option for us and the environment, what container should we throw them into? Given their naturalness, the best and most sensible option is to put the used products in a brown bio-waste container.

Another important piece of information that certainly cannot be missed here is the durability of bagasse dishes and their properties. Into the hands of consumers goes an assortment that is rigid, resistant to low and high temperatures, as well as taste-neutral. Each of these qualities is extremely important, even more so when we are talking about supplying a catering establishment. Therefore, instead of packing cooked delicacies in styrofoam boxes, give your customers something of much better quality - cane packaging.

Biodegradable white fingerfood bowls in 4 different shapes - anyone who loves a variety of flavors and appreciates aesthetics of serving will love them.

What kind of cane dishes are available at SlowPack?

As a customer-conscious organic wholesaler, we offer an extremely varied assortment, so that everyone can find all the products they need in one place - from straws to organic packaging to cutlery. Available products include:

As you can see for yourself, there are really many options worth considering, so one question remains - which one do you choose?

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