The versatile nature of jute makes it a widely used natural fiber alongside cotton of only commercial importance. Sacks, bags and coarse fabrics used to package different products such as raw cotton bales are prepared from jute fibers. Jute rugs, jute mats, prayer rugs and jute furniture are also widely used. Jute fibers are also used to make twine and coarse cords. The jute plant Corchorus olitorius has culinary applications in parts of the world such as Nigeria, Uganda, and the Philippines, where jute leaves are used as part of soup preparations. By-products of jute mills also find limited applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and paint industries. Perhaps the biggest advantage of jute is that it is 100% biodegradable in nature. Unlike synthetic fibers, jute is environmentally safer and therefore its use should be used as an environmentally friendly method to reduce the world's dependence on synthetic fibers.