Bagasse fiber as a sustainable packaging: a case study of Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Growing worldwide demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable materials has prompted a re-evaluation of traditional raw materials used in various industries, particularly in packaging production. Bagasse-based packaging holds significant potential for Kenya. Bagasse has attracted a lot of interest because it is eco-friendly, compostable, and cost-effective, making it a good substitute for conventional plastic and paper-based packaging (Kumar et al., 2021). Problem: Seventy five percent (75%) of bagasse goes to waste and is dumped in the fields (Verte Environmental Solutions 2021). This dumped bagasse poses great environmental concerns as the juice from the bagasse’s ‘leachate’ destroys the quality of water in wells and rivers and burns crops in nearby farms (Atieno 2022). Furthermore, the Government of Kenya imposed a ban on plastic bags in 2017, which forced businesses to seek alternative packaging solutions such as bagasse. Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the current state of the packaging industry in Kenya and establish the gaps that could be filled with alternatives such as bagasse. Design: The study adopted a qualitative research design relying on semi-structured interviews. Setting: The study was carried out in Kisumu County in Kenya. Subjects: The subjects of this study were key stakeholders in the packaging industry in Kisumu including manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of packaging materials. Results: The data suggests Kisumu’s industry is at a tipping point; reliance on paper reflects a makeshift post-ban fix, not a solution. High demand exceeds supply capacity, creating a niche for bagasse to bridge durability and sustainability gaps. Conclusion: The study concluded that the Kenyan packaging industry is experiencing a growing demand for sustainable alternatives, yet it remains overly reliant on traditional materials like paper and plastic. Bagasse emerges as a viable eco-friendly solution, particularly for food packaging, due to its biodegradability, renewability, and durability.