Make the switch: Association urges use of jute bags for wheat storage

Plastic damages environment, human health, says secretary.


Our Correspondent November 28, 2014

KARACHI: The Pakistan Jute Mills Association (PJMA) has urged the federal government to ensure implementation of UN’s guidelines for storage of food items and make the use of jute bags for packaging and long-term storage of grains compulsory.

PJMA Secretary Muhammad Younus, in talks with the Ministry of National Food and Security Research (MNFSR), said that it is a proven fact that plastic bags are neither environment friendly nor biodegradable as they generate cancerous dioxins during the recycling procedure.



He said it is surprising that the ministry still considers it as a source of wheat storage – which is against international norms and health standards. He added that the use of polypropylene plastic bags endangers lives of millions of people and the environment as well.

“The use of polypropylene has been minimised due to its hazardous impact,” said Younus. “The use of jute bags is the best alternative to store grains and other edibles.”

Currently, Pakistan has a demand of 180 million bags per year and 60 million of this demand is met locally, whereas the remaining demand is met by the jute bags that can be reused. The jute industry has been contributing over Rs800 million to the economy in the form of duties, taxes and levies.

Globally, polypropylene plastic bags are used only for the purpose of transportation rather than storage of wheat and other edible grains and their use is limited to a particular period.

Poly bags dampen and reduce the respiration process of the grain, whereas jute is a natural fibre and keeps the quality of the grain intact. Non-ventilation affects grains quality as air does not pass through the synthetically produced bags.

Wheat is stored in areas like Punjab, upper Sindh and some quantities at the Sindh-Balochistan border where the temperature soars up above 45 degrees, while humidity levels exceed 75%.

Research shows that wheat grain – being a living organism – needs to respire constantly, adding that the respiration process generates heat, which is not quickly dissipated because the crop is a poor conductor of heat.

When wheat is stored at high moisture content and at high temperatures, it respires rapidly and gradually warms up. Wheat gives off carbon dioxide and water vapours, which results in shedding weight too. When water vapours do not dissipate, the grain sweats and becomes rake with further deterioration.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2014.

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