Also known as hessian and burlap, jute is a strong, environmentally friendly and attractive alternative to plastic. Jute is a plant that regenerates annually in the region of the West Bengal, India, the centre of the world's jute production. It is a renewable plant resource that, once discarded, will naturally decompose.

The gathering and processing of jute has ancient traditions that are part of a rhythm of life. With the rediscovery of the versatility and sustainability of jute products huge employment opportunities are being developed. Millions of people are employed in the jute industry in India, with much of the jute grown on small family owned and tribal plots.

Last year Australians used 3.9 billion thin plastic bags. Only about 5% of Australia's plastic bags are recycled. So called "green" non-woven polypropolene bags are probably worse than thin plastic bags. They are made from fossil fuel based plastic. Promoted as an alternative to plastic, so called "green bags" now pose a huge environmental threat. Why? They are so cheap that there are now millions of such bags in existence. And guess what? Like their counterpart they also are not biodegrade.