The gunny sack

Made from hessian or burlap (US) these coarse, strong and breathable bags are woven from jute, sisal or hemp. Once a common sight on the streets of Mumbai, the Indian guni (Sanskrit) bag has now been largely supplanted by plastic sacks.
Home to jute growing, the Ganges delta in Bangladesh and eastern India is still the largest producer in the world. Ironically, after the 2002 closure of the Adamjee Jute Mill, Bangladesh's largest, the demand for this biodegradable, environmentally friendly fibre has been slowly making a comeback. Look for jute in clothing, carpets and furnishings, and in a new role as a substitute for wood in many manufacturing processes.