Bamboo is not a tree. In fact, it is a giant grass. And just like the grass on a lawn, when bamboo is cut it’s root system is unharmed, healthy and regenerative. Best of all, bamboo has the ability to grow to maturity in 4-6 years while hardwoods take decades to achieve maturity. Once cut, most hardwoods are left lifeless. Whereas after bamboo is cut, it is able to grow again and again.

Bamboo makes a great fabric alternative to conventional cotton. Besides being amazingly soft to the touch, bamboo is also naturally anti-microbial, which means the fabric actually prevents bacteria from growing on it, resulting in clothing that remains odor-free longer than other fabrics . . . meaning less trips to the dry cleaner, which is always a major plus for the planet and your wallet!

Bamboo as a fabric is not completely virtuous. The process of converting bamboo into a soft fiber requires harmful chemicals and energy intensive machinery. BUT bamboo growth does not require any pesticides, which in the end makes it a better alternative to conventional cotton.

Bamboo flooring seen here is an excellent alternative to conventional wood flooring, because using bamboo in place of wood prevents further exploitation of world’s already dwindling timber resources.

Posted on June 9th, 2008 by Olivia Zaleski