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Bagasse
Here's a sweet find: This byproduct of sugarcane processing is a type of biomass, an organic, non-petroleum fuel source. Bagasse is the fibrous material left over after sugarcane stalks are pressed to release their juice. Rather than tossing this material away, workers can burn it, providing the fuel to run the mill itself, or creating energy to sell to a local utility company. It's a clean, efficient process, and entirely free of waste, since the ash left over after burning can then be used in the sugarcane fields to enrich the soil. Alternatively, bagasse fiber can be used as a sturdy, biodegradable substitute for cardboard or polystyrene-in food containers, for example. It's yet another reason to feel good about your sugar fix. |