Biodegradable AND compostable….what’s not to like?

You’ve probably guessed by now that I like to have a sustainable twist to the products that I create. I suppose the other word that we are increasingly thinking about is ‘regeneration’, which I suppose goes hand in hand with all of those words we are increasingly aware of, all of which, can be placed under the ‘eco’ umbrella.

It does make you stop and think when you are trying ‘to do your bit’. I enjoy taking on tips and suggestions from my friends and family who by now, as Wildfish develops, will happily offer new product ideas to mull over and consider how I might make the item of their desire.

The latest curiosity to occupy my mind is the wonderful fibre, Jute. The use of jute can be traced as far back as the 3rd millennium BC and has been used across the globe throughout the centuries. Jute fibres, in their natural form, are said to resemble long golden locks hence it is commonly known as The Golden Fibre . Once the fibres are twisted into yarns, they are woven into a fabric called hessian. You may already know that jute is one of the most cost effective and sustainable plant fibres still in use today.

This natural fibre is mainly grown in monsoon climates and with it being such a versatile fibre we can find it having many uses including bags, sacks, braids, webbing and even in Geotextiles such as embankment reinforcement on roads and railways.

Jute has much to offer including the fact that it is highly absorbent and yet dries quickly, it is a relatively rough fibre, strong and quite flexible which is why I have started looking in to crocheting items that can make use of all these properties.

So far I have produced a variety of dish scrubs for using in the kitchen, exfoliating wash mitts and exfoliating back scrubs, with all products currently undergoing ‘testing’ with various members of my family and friend support group, to whom I am very grateful!

Perhaps the best news about this fabulous fibre, jute, is that it is both biodegradable and compostable….what more could we ask for in the age of reduce, reuse, regenerate & recycle?

Watch out for my launch of handmade products and join the jute fan club.