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Rice Husk Composite vs. Regular Plastic
One of the most recent innovations in retail promotional products is using composite materials to replace standard plastics in constructing everyday items like promotional drink bottles and travel cups. While wheat fibre and bamboo fibre are common waste products used in producing composite materials, rice husk composite is steadily becoming a popular alternative to these other blended plastics.
But what makes a rice husk blend different from regular plastic and alternative composite materials already on the market? Let’s learn more about this unique new alternative to waste-heavy plastics.
What is Rice Husk?
Rice husks or hulls are the outer covering of rice grains that protects the rice as it grows. When we harvest rice for consumption, we don’t require this outer coating, which has previously led to the husks being discarded as waste. However, science s is now allowing us to re-appropriate rice husks to use as things like insulation or fuel after processing or combining with other materials, one of which is a rice husk-plastic composite.
What are the Benefits of Using a Rice Husk Composite?
There are quite a few benefits to using a rice husk composite instead of a standard plastic, including
- Minimising the use of plastic.
- Using organic rice husk from small farming communities that would otherwise go to waste.
- Rice husk is biodegradable, aiding in the decomposition of the products at the end of their useful lives.
- Fewer carbon emissions in the production of rice husk blend bottles than drinkware items made from glass or steel.
- Material is food grade, non-toxic, and BPA-free.
- Rice husk is a renewable and sustainable product.
- Our particular rice husk composite drinkware was developed and made right here in Australia, which is an Aussie first!
So if you are looking for an alternative product to the standard plastics or metals on the market, perhaps a rice husk composite product may suit your campaign.
Why Choose Rice Husk Composite Products Over Standard Plastic Ones?
Standard plastics are tried-and-true formulas, so why should we try products made from hybrid materials like rice husk blends? Well, existing plastics are indeed tried-and-true, but given the current state of the environment, people are looking for alternatives to products that contribute to the pollution of the planet. Plastic, while practical, is made with fossil fuels, so scientists and companies have put a lot of effort into developing alternative options (as fossil fuels are not helping the eco-system). While rice husk composite drinkware still uses a portion of polymer in its manufacture, the reduction of synthetic material thanks to the addition of natural rice hulls is nevertheless significant.
It is also important to consider that rice hulls, while useful for some fertilisers, are frequently thrown away despite being a low-cost, renewable material. Using these extra elements from farming (like bamboo off-cuts and wheat husk), we are utilising existing organic fibres instead of adding even more virgin plastics to the equation, which is a net win for the environment. Now that isn’t to say these fibre blend products are the be-all-and-end-all of eco items, they do still use polymers in their construction, but they are a step in the right direction.
So if your business or event is mindful of the promotional gifts it distributes to staff, clients, and visitors, it may well be worth considering a rice husk blend drinkware item instead of the usual plastic option. The pricing is similar, and you are helping us make use of waste material instead of manufacturing more plastic, and that’s nothing to be sniffed at!
Examples of Products Made With Rice Husk
Right now, most of our promotional products that make use of rice husk composite materials are promotional drinkware items. These include
- Nairn Rice Husk Eco Cups
- Promo Eco Cups Made From Rice Husk
- Bairn Rice Husk Reusable Cups
We are continuing to expand our range of available rice husk products, so look for more options in our catalogue soon! If you’re like to have a chat about using rice husk blend products in your next campaign, please don’t hesitate to give our knowledgeable team a call on 1300 858 288.
