Change to Using Bamboo for So Many Reasons
Whether shopping at a store or online, you might have noticed the appearance of various products using bamboo in their manufacture.
And that is a good thing...
Bamboo is very sustainable
It is one of the fastest growing and most versatile plant in the world and is ready to use just three or four years after planting. Compare that to trees that can take decades.
Bamboo is a member of the grass family with a comprehensive root system, growing up to as much as four feet daily.
In addition, bamboo is very eco-friendly and has become a useful and renewable replacement for plastic.
Bamboo is all natural
No harmful synthetic fibers or chemicals are used in bamboo as a crop plus the provide natural protection from any harmful UV rays, blocking 94.15 percent.
Environmentally friendly
Bamboo products are very environmentally friendly as well as being long lasting - and biodegradable. They are 100 percent organic. They are also naturally hypo-allergenic, meaning that those with allergy-related problems can safely use bamboo products. They are also highly suitable to use for babies providing delicate and sensitive care.
Bamboo products are very durable
Although bamboo is very soft and natural, any products made from bamboo are very durable and easy to look after if you avoid harsh cleaning chemicals. It is also super strong, more than wood or even mild steel. When compared with wood, bamboo is more resistant to rot and warping while being naturally UV resistant. This makes it especially suitable for products from flooring to clothing
Textiles are softer than cotton
Towels, sheets and clothing made from bamboo are more absorbent than cotton products. The breathable, thermo-regulating properties of sheets made from bamboo fibers will provide a comfortable night’s rest to those who tend to sleep hot or cold.
And bamboo is better for the planet
This earth-friendly material captures more carbon dioxide and releases 35% more oxygen into the atmosphere when compared to a similarly sized stand of hardwood trees. A stand of bamboo does not require pesticides to keep destructive bugs away. This ensures that chemicals will not find their way into the soil and groundwater as a result of bamboo farming. And it does not require much water to grow even though it will not mind growing in weland conditions.
Growing bamboo is good for the soil
When bamboo is harvested, each culm is simply cut at ground level leaving the root system in the ground so it can quickly sprout more bamboo shoots. This helps to prevent soil erosion. Bamboo also drops leaves and stems onto the ground where it is growing, naturally turning to mulch and acting as a fertilizer.
Here are some of the products which can be made with bamboo
- Paper
- Flooring and furniture
- Cosmetics
- Motorcycle helmets
- Pillows, sheets, towels and clothing (I love my bamboo socks!)
- Charcoal
- Food, wine, tea, beer and vinegar
- Bicycles, skateboards, snowboards, surfboards and fishing rods
- Phone and laptop cases
If you care about the environments, think seriously about how you can change to bamboo products in place of those made with wood, plastic or other non-sustainable materials.
SOURCES:
https://woollygreen.com/is-bamboo-sustainable
Truth or Trend: Is Bamboo Sustainable? (ecoandbeyond.co)
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.