Bamboo, why??
By now, we all know that we should be starting to use alternatives for plastic as soon as we can. While many new materials are being developed, the ancient strength of bamboo seems to be rediscovered simultaneously. As we are asked why we chose bamboo to make our products almost every day, we decided to list its benefits.
Photo by @alexkeda
First, some background information. There are more than 1500 types of bamboo. Our specific type is called Moso Bamboo. Don’t worry, pandas eat 42 types of bamboo, but Moso grows too high for them to reach the leaves. So you won’t be brushing any pandas out of a meal. Our wild organic bamboo comes from China and requires only rain and sun to grow. The best part? Its supply is so vast that we are currently only using 1% of it.
So what characteristics make bamboo such great material for practical application? These are its five main advantages:
- Grows faster than you can say ‘no plastic’.
You may think Bamboo is wood, but it’s actually a type of grass! One of the best things about this ‘grass’ is that it grows at the speed of light. There are reports of bamboo growing up to 3 feet a day. MOSO bamboo grows up to 25 meters in the first 42 days. Then it needs another approximately 5 years to get the right hardness. An Oak tree needs up to 40 years to reach its maximum height.
- Absorbs greenhouse gases.
Bamboo absorbs dioxide and releases 35% more oxygen into the atmosphere than an equivalent amount of hardwood trees.
- High return
Bamboo is highly versatility. Its range of applications is almost endless, leaving a very small amount of the tree wasted. The roots become food, thicker parts turn into beautiful furniture, and smaller parts grow up to become toothbrushes or chop sticks.
- No fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides needed.
Most cash crops require agricultural chemicals to thrive. Bamboo sequesters nitrogen and its cultivation does not add chemicals to the environment.
- Soil protection.
Bamboo roots remain in place after harvesting. They prevent erosion and help retain nutrients for the next crop.
So, that concludes our biology lesson for today! If you have any questions, remarks, or suggestions for the Society, let us know via our website, mail, or social media outlets.
And remember: say no to plastic!
Anji area, China. Close to our factory
