Why you should consider switching to our Zirrro Sugarcane Packaging

31 May, 2021

You may have seen in your local supermarket a lack of plastic trays holding pre-packaged items such as bakery foods fruits and vegetables. The robust packaging material that has taken its place is what is known as ‘bagasse’ - a by-product of the sugarcane plant that can be used to manufacture future friendly packaging solutions, and here at O’Kelly we absolutely love this Zirrro alternative!

Zirrro Sugarcane is becoming more and more popular in the food packaging industry for its eco-friendly properties as an alternative to plastic, and with new laws coming into place regrading single use plastics, it’s something everyone in the hospitality industry should know about!

How is Zirrro Sugarcane Packaging made?

Sugarcane is primarily grown to manufacture sugar. The juice is extracted from the sugarcane plant, which leaves a fibrous stalk (also known as bagasse) as a by-product. The stalk can then be broken down into pulp, moulded into cardboard and used for food packaging products.

Environmental Benefits of Zirrro Sugarcane Packaging:

Sustainable - Sugarcane can reproduce itself within a year, with the bagasse considered a by-product of sugar manufacturing. Utilising the bagasse for packaging further maximises the value of the crop and creates a more circular economy

Recyclable - If your Zirrro Sugarcane Packaging is clean of food scraps, it can be recycled in the waste paper recycling bin

Compostable - Zirrro Sugarcane Packaging that has food waste on it can be composted in either a commercial composting facility or at home, and will break down in 30-90 days. This compost can be returned to the earth as soil food which can then be used to grow more plants

Biodegradable - Zirrro Sugarcane Packaging will decompose once exposed to bacteria or other living organisms (such as a compost bin) without any toxic pollution

Product Benefits of Zirrro Sugarcane Packaging:

- Strong and durable due to robust cane fibres

- Oil and water resistant - without having to use a lining

- Suitable for hot or cold food

- Environmentally responsible and sustainable replacement for its plastic counterpart

Why switch now?

While the government is working hard to ban single use plastics in Australia, O’Kelly believes it’s never too early to do your part for the environment. It is no surprise that consumers are becoming more eco-conscious, and their awareness is creating demand of businesses to adapt sustainable practises. Just as we have seen with the regulation and banning of single use plastic bags in the past, single use non-recyclable, non-compostable plastics are next on the agenda.

But don’t wait for the laws to change to start being more environmentally conscious! Swapping now to our range of Zirrro Sugarcane packaging solutions helps improve your brand image while saving the world for future generations. 

Be ahead of the game and speak with O’Kelly about our Sugarcane Packaging and our entire Zirrro range and how we can work together to reduce single use plastics within your business.