FAQ’s
We get asked many questions about our cassava bags and we love speaking about them. Keep your questions coming!
What is SavaBag?
SavaBag is a solution to move the people of the world away from plastic shopping bags. It’s a bag made natural resources and can decompose naturally in normal conditions within months. It can do everything a standard plastic bag can do but it won’t pollute the environment any where near the extent of those plastic bags that you’ve come to know (and decided to hate). You know that conventional plastic bags are toxic, right?
What is SavaBag made from?
SavaBag is made from natural resources including vegetable starches, vegetable oils, and other naturally occurring properties. It does not contain toxic chemicals.
How are cassava bags made?
Our bags are a product of Indonesia and manufactured at our factory in much the same way as a conventional plastic bag (but ever-so-slightly differently). The density of SavaBag is more than normal cheap plastic so the manufacturing process is adjusted accordingly.
How much do cassava bags cost?
The best way to get an answer to this question is to request a quotation. However, as a general rule of thumb, we would say that our cassava bags are around 5-8 times more expensive than plastic bags. By that we of course mean the cost to purchase – as of course the absolute true cost of plastic bags should probably include the destruction it causes our planet.
Do you ship worldwide?
We sure do, however, with certain terms in some cases. Please visit our Delivery Information of SavaBag section for further details. We will try our best to fulfill your order no matter where you are but it’s always a good idea to speak to one our team if you’re not sure.
What weight can cassava bags carry?
Well, this really depends on the bag style and thickness (micron) but certainly our bags don’t have the same load capacity as conventional plastic bags. Here’s a basic guideline for you to follow:
T-Shirt/Griphole/Polybags Bags
Small: 1.5 – 2.5kg
Medium: 3 – 4kg
Large: 5 – 6kg
Laundry/Garbage Bags
Small: 4 – 5kg
Medium: 6 – 7kg
Large: 8 – 9kg
Are cassava bags home compostable?
If you have a home compost, like this one of these, then SavaBag will completely biodegrade in a matter of months in a similar manner to your food waste.
Can I dispose of SavaBag with trash?
Choosing to add it to your general waste and sending it to landfill is also not a problem. It will degrade over time, leaving no microplastics. Of course, this is a far better idea than sending plastic bin liners to your local landfill.
Does SavaBag decompose in nature?
If (for some reason) SavaBag ends up in the environment, whether rivers, ocean, or land, it will still biodegrade within a matter of months leaving no toxic elements.
How long do cassava bags take to degrade?
This absolutely depends on the conditions in which it located. A good way to think about this is to imagine you placed a piece of fruit in your backyard. It will slowly but surely turn to rot and disappear back to nature. The temperature, humidity, sunlight, precipitation, and earth all have contributing factors to this scenario – in direct sunlight and with occasional rain it will decompose faster. Or if you left an piece of fruit in a humid room in your home, it will rot away. SavaBag acts in a very similar way. In most conditions, SavaBag will decompose within 3-6 months. And, unlike other eco friendly disposable bags on the market, SavaBag will not leave a trace.
Are cassava bags safe for the environment?
SavaBag is made naturally and contains zero toxic chemicals. Therefore, it will not pollute the environment with these nasty substances as it degrades.
The bags can disappear back to nature within months and therefore won’t be in existence as long as a traditional plastic bag. And in doing so it will become a fertiliser for the soil and encourage healthier plant growth.
The bags have passed oral toxicity tests and deemed harmless to marine life and small creatures.
And let’s not forget that, as SavaBag is made from naturally occurring sustainable resources, it does not rely on oil production which is unsustainable and whole other subject in itself.
Does the bag degrade in landfill?
There are many types of landfills but the basic answer is – yes, they will degrade in landfill, but how long it will take to degrade will depend on the type of landfill and the substances around the bag. In an anaerobic landfill (one with no air) it will take a longer duration.
Are cassava bags safe to consume?
We don’t recommend eating (or drinking) our bags. Although they are created using natural substances and has passed oral toxicity tests, we don’t manufacture our bags as a food product or attempt to pass food regulatory tests. Therefore, it should not be considered as a food or beverage for us humans.
Can I create my own custom printed design?
Of course you can. We love making custom designed bags for our customers! Choose your ideal colour and size. Our internal design team can work with you to create your own design, or you can provide the artwork as AI or PDF. We must mention though that a minimum order quantity of 10 cartons will apply for custom made bags. Please see our Design Your Own Bag section for more information.
Can we meet up to discuss my requirements?
Yes, of course. Please make an appointment first though.
Is SavaBag recyclable?
It is in fact possible to recycle SavaBag with paper. So, you can choose to throw it in your waste paper bucket after use. SavaBag is a starch product after all. However, we still suggest sending the bag for compost as the first disposal solution.
Are the bags reusable?
SavaBag can be reused as long as it’s kept in good condition and in stored in a suitable environment to enable it to last longer. In other words, keep it away from water, humidity, and direct sunlight – a dry dark cupboard will be suffice.
Can I Order From Overseas?
Yes, you can. We ship worldwide. There is a minimum order quantity of 10,000 pieces per bag for international orders. We will let you know the shipping price before confirming the order.
What happens when SavaBag degrades?
Our bags will return back to nature in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and biomass. The CO2 is the result of it already having been stored in the vegetables used to create the bag, as is the case with all vegetables and plants.
Can I become an exclusive distributor?
For sure we can have that conversation. However, we really encourage you to make an order of our bags first then test your market.
Can you send me samples?
Yes, no problem. As long as you cover the shipping cost.
Do you sell in large quantities?
Yes, for all orders of 10 cartons or more you should request a quotation first from our lovely team.
What’s the shelf life of your cassava bags?
Good question. While stored in the recommended manner (away from sunlight and humidity), the bags are good for a year or more. However, once out of their packaging and in an uncontrolled environment) the bags can’t be expected to keep in perfect condition for more than 6 months. For this reason, we don’t recommend this type of bag for storing items (such as clothing) over a period of time.
Do you have a product catalogue?
You can download our latest product catalogue right here.
When will my delivery arrive?
Delivery times are dependent on many different aspects, and will be confirmed upon receipt of your order. If you have any questions or special requests regarding delivery lead times, please discuss this with our team.
What is the printing ink made from?
The ink for the printing logo is alcohol based, heavy metal free,
non-toxic and eco-friendly.
Will the bag dissolve in water?
The bag will soften and break easily if it has direct contact with water of a normal temperature, and will dissolve in hot temperature water above 90°C.
How to understand the measurement of the bags?
The bag dimensions are displayed as Width x Length x Thickness. If the bag includes a gusset then the bag width will be displayed as Total Width / Width (e.g. 40/28).
What is the maximum width and length of bag with print?
The maximum width of printed bags (including the gusset) is 60 cm. The maximum length is 100 cm.
Without printing, we can accommodate bags with a width up to 90 cm and length 160 cm.
Note: Due to technical challenges in the creation of printing cylinders, we are unable to accommodate
bags with widths ranging from 33 cm – 37 cm.
What is the minimum and maximum micron thickness?
Minimum thickness is 40 micron.
Maximum thickness is 50 micron (with gusset) and 100 micron (without gusset).
What is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for your standard (non-customised) bags?
MOQ is 1 carton for domestic deliveries.
For international deliveries we apply a MOQ of 10 cartons.
Yes sure! You can customize the design and size based on your needs.
MOQ is 1 carton for domestic deliveries.
For international deliveries we apply a MOQ of 10 cartons.
How many colour can i print on the cassava bag?
One printing cylinder is required for each ink color printed on each side of the bag (maximum 2 ink colors). Example:
– Two colors, one side: 2 cylinders required
– One color, two sides: 2 cylinders required
– One color, one side: 1 cylinder required
What is a printing cylinder?
Print cylinders are a chromed cylinder built with the final design embedded on it. This is required to print the design on the bag. The printing process is carried out at the same time of the bag production process. One cylinder can be used for around 70,000 to 100,000 bags as long as the bags are of the same size and design.
What is the cost of printing cylinder?
The cylinder pricing depends on the width and length of the bag. Our friendly team will advise you of the cylinder cost and information.
Are the bags produced consistently?
The raw materials used for the cassava bags are bio-based which makes the consistency of quality a bit of a challenge. For this reason, a deviation of around 5-10% can occur with the result of the bag color and the printing.
What can be carried inside a cassava bag?
The cassava bag is ideal for carrying dry items. Each bag size has a different load capacity. The load capacity depends on the bag specification and thickness.
How should I store and handle the bag?
Cassava bags that are already opened from their packaging must be stored in a clean room with good air circulation, natural ventilation, and a humidity of around 60%. Due to it’s organic nature, there’s a chance that the bag will become moldy or lose it’s moisture and become crunchy – like dry leaves – if stored in humid conditions.
Due to the organic materials used to make the cassava bags, humid condition or extreme weather should be avoided.
Please avoid prolonged water contact with the bags as this will alter the bag’s texture and durability.