Cassava starch bags are bags made from cassava starch, an innovation designed to replace conventional plastics that are difficult to degrade. Cassava starch comes from the Manihot esculenta plant, which is widely cultivated in many tropical countries. The bag is designed to be biodegradable under natural conditions, and can even dissolve in hot water in minutes without leaving behind any hazardous waste. This uniqueness makes it a top choice for those who care about the environment and want to reduce the impact of plastic waste.
Unlike ordinary plastics that can stay in the environment for hundreds of years, cassava starch bags can degrade in a much shorter time. The degradation process occurs through the activity of microorganisms that naturally consume cassava starch as an energy source, so it does not produce toxic residues. Even if these bags do not directly enter the compost process, they can still dissolve in water and disappear without leaving any harmful chemical traces.
Cassava Starch Bag Manufacturing Process
The cassava starch bag manufacturing process begins with the extraction of cassava starch from harvested cassava tubers. The cassava selected must have a high starch content in order to produce a stronger and more elastic bag. After harvesting, the cassava is washed to remove impurities, then grated to a coarse pulp. This pulp is then filtered to obtain a liquid containing pure starch, while the pulp can be used for animal feed or other industrial purposes.
The starch liquid obtained is then dried to become cassava starch powder. This powder becomes the main base material that will be processed further. In the mixing stage, cassava starch is mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and natural plasticizers such as glycerol to increase its flexibility. This mixture is then heated at a controlled temperature to make it homogeneous and have plastic-like characteristics. After that, the material is molded into thin sheets that are ready to be shaped into bags of various sizes and thicknesses according to industry needs.
Comparison of Cassava Starch Bag with Other Alternative Materials
Besides cassava starch bags, there are several other alternatives that have also been developed to replace conventional plastics, such as corn-based bioplastics and PLA (Polylactic Acid). Corn-based bioplastics use corn starch as the main ingredient, similar to cassava starch bags, but often still require petroleum-based additives to improve their durability. Meanwhile, PLA is made from the fermentation of plant sugars such as corn and sugarcane, resulting in biodegradable plastics that can degrade under certain conditions.
One of the advantages of cassava starch bags over corn-based bioplastics is their ability to dissolve in hot water, making them completely free of harmful residues. On the other hand, PLA is more widely used in the food packaging industry and other disposable products, but its degradation process requires industrial conditions with high temperature and controlled humidity. As such, cassava starch bags have the advantage of being a more natural and biodegradable solution without the need for specialized facilities.
Advantages of Cassava Starch Bag Compared to Conventional Plastics
Cassava starch bags have many advantages that conventional plastics do not have. One of the main advantages is its ability to decompose naturally without leaving harmful traces in the environment. In a humid environment with the presence of microorganisms, these bags can decompose within three to six months. If placed in hot water at temperatures above 80°C, these bags can dissolve completely within minutes without leaving any microplastics behind.
In addition, cassava starch bags do not contain harmful chemicals such as BPA (Bisphenol A) or phthalates that are often found in conventional plastics. This makes it a safer option for packaging food and beverages. Even if accidentally ingested by animals, these bags will not cause digestive problems as they are starch-based and can be easily digested.
Also Read: How are Cassava Plastic Bags Made?
Conclusion
Cassava starch bags are an innovative solution to reduce the adverse impact of conventional plastics on the environment. By being biodegradable, compostable, and safe for humans and animals, these bags offer a more sustainable alternative in the packaging industry. While it still faces challenges in terms of durability and production costs, technological developments are expected to overcome these obstacles in the future.
As individuals, we can start contributing by switching to cassava starch bags in our daily lives. By choosing greener products, we are not only reducing our plastic footprint, but also participating in building a more sustainable future for generations to come. With increasing government regulations and support, it is hoped that cassava starch bags can become a major solution to the problem of plastic pollution around the world.
For more information about Cassava Bag please contact: Whatsapp/Mobile Phone: +62 811 9151 338 (Ms. Anna) or Email :info@urbanplastic.id