LET US START USING PACKAGING MADE FROM CASSAVA

LET US START USING PACKAGING MADE FROM CASSAVA

It is an idea whose time has come. Cassava-based packaging is such a simple idea that all along it was right under our noses, or should I say, it was right under our feet. And to add to that, it is not even rocket science. But as the saying goes, “this could be the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

What is good about it is that the materials are not imported, because it is locally born. From where I come from in Mindanao, cassava is a poor man’s food. Over there, you are considered poor if you eat corn, and you are even poorer if you eat cassava tubers (kamoteng kahoy). Perhaps in the urban areas, you are considered rich if you eat Idaho potatoes, and you are considered poor if you eat sweet potatoes (kamote). But if you eat kamoteng kahoy, you might be considered poorer.

But enough of that, because the way it is now, cassava could become the new gold. And what could be poetic justice, planting cassava instead of rice or corn or even Idaho potatoes could make farmers rich and richer.

As we all know, plastic is made from petroleum, meaning to say that it is an oil product. Therefore, oil is the black gold that has made oil countries rich. But how much of that wealth comes from selling oil that is converted into plastic? It may not be much if compared to fuels and lubrication oils, but it is still money that goes into their bank accounts.

How much will it affect the oil-producing countries if their incomes from the sale of oil for plastic processing go down? And how much will it benefit the cassava-producing countries if most plastic-based packaging is replaced by cassava-based packaging?

But is the Philippines ready to become a leading cassava-producing country? The bad news is, the Philippines is not even in the top five of the list of top cassava exporters. Thailand accounts for 70% of world exports. Consistently showing in the list of top exporters are Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Brazil, and the United States.

What happened to the Philippines? Perhaps we looked down on the importance of cassava before, and now it is time that we looked up to it, because it could possibly become the new gold. The following countries are leading in developing cassava-based packaging as an alternative to plastic-based packaging: Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, and the Philippines.

Fortunately, we made it to the list, and that should encourage us to do more by producing more cassava crops. We should be on the lookout for Indonesia and Thailand, because they are not only leading in the cassava-based packaging industry, they have the raw materials for it also. Believe it or not, the Philippines even imports some of its requirements for cassava feed materials.

There are now three companies in the Philippines that are making cassava-based packaging here. These are Oikos, Sachi, and AKO. The government should meet with them to find out what kind of support they need. Other countries are already setting targets for 100% freedom from plastic shopping bags. Why don’t we do that also?

We should already set targets for increasing our cassava production targets, and we should match that with processing targets of Oikos, Sachi, and AKO. When can the DTI work on targets for raw materials and finished products using cassava? I met with an Aeta tribe in Zambales who told me they could produce unlimited amounts of cassava if there is a market.

For those who are ashamed to be identified with kamoteng kahoy, just call it by its classy name of Tapioca.

Cassava shopping bags are indeed available in the market. These eco-friendly bags are made from cassava starch, a renewable and biodegradable resource. They're a great alternative to traditional plastic bags, offering a sustainable solution to the global plastic waste problem. You can find cassava shopping bags in various online stores and marketplaces. For instance, Naturally Baby Philippines offers cassava biobags that are 100% compostable and biodegradable. Similarly, Oikos PH provides customizable cassava bags that are 100% plant-based and compostable.

Some popular types of cassava shopping bags include:

·       Grocery bags: Ideal for carrying groceries and other daily essentials.

·       Mailer bags: Suitable for e-commerce packaging and courier services.

·       Trash bags: Designed for trash that naturally biodegrades in landfills and seas.

These bags are not only eco-friendly but also customizable to fit specific business needs. Let's make the switch to cassava packaging and contribute to a more sustainable future!

 Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

04-28-2025

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