Bamboo is one of the most naturally sustainable resources on the market today and it’s no wonder why. This rapidly growing material seems to be popping up in stores everywhere you look. It’s easy to grow, it’s durable, it’s versatile and most importantly it’s a great alternative to single-use plastics. Let’s take a look at what makes bamboo products a more sustainable option for items you use every day. 

Rapid Growth

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world. Fun fact: there are over 1000 species of bamboo and some can grow as much as three feet in one day! With such rapid growth, bamboo is one of the most renewable materials you can find:

• Shoots emerge in spring from the root system, allowing bamboo to grow taller and more widespread from year to year
• Bamboo rapidly reaches its full growth in about 60 days
• A bamboo cane typically has a decade-long lifespan

Bamboo’s rapid growth allows it to grow and spread without much effort over the course of its life. It regenerates from the roots without replanting from year to year, so it requires minimal effort to sustain.

Low-Maintenance Crop

Once established, bamboo is an incredibly low-maintenance crop. You’ll find bamboo growing in parts of tropical and subtropical Asia and in South America. It’s also found in areas further afield including Australia, Africa and even in the Southern United States, making it a widely accessible material:

• It requires much less water than other crops such as cotton, and successfully grows in areas of the world with less rainfall
• Bamboo doesn’t require a lot of pesticides or fertilizer as it grows
• This plant is highly efficient at producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide

Compared to wood or metals, bamboo is much lower in maintenance and much cheaper than some other resources.

Durability

When it comes to durability, bamboo is often compared to wood, but actually it’s considered to be a grass. Even so, it is light-weight and a great alternative construction material that can even help reduce deforestation in some parts of the world through more widespread use in construction. 

Here are some key qualities of bamboo:

• Materials made of bamboo can be more long-lasting than those that are made of some other types of wood
• Bamboo is durable enough to be used for furniture, flooring, cabinets, cutting boards and even for building simple structures
• Bamboo flooring can easily withstand foot traffic and last for decades 

What other perks does bamboo have to offer? It’s scratch-resistant, water resistant, and smooth without the knots and blemishes you’ll find in some types of hardwood. Bamboo is incredibly easy to clean, making it a great option for families with pets or small children.

An Alternative to Single-Use Products

Bamboo is a popular material used in a variety of products including toilet paper, dental floss, toothbrushes, and disposable cutlery. You’ve likely already seen bamboo products on offer at local eateries instead of plastics. 

Here’s why bamboo can be a more sustainable choice:

• Bamboo products are 100% biodegradable and most will break down in less than a year
• For single-use products like toilet paper or dental floss, bamboo is a great choice since it regenerates quickly unlike trees
• Bamboo cutlery can greatly reduce reliance on single-use plastics which can take hundreds of years to break down

If you’re looking to lower your carbon footprint, bamboo is a very practical alternative.

Versatility

Sure, choosing bamboo helps reduce plastic waste. But did you know you can eat it too? Bamboo’s versatility is one of its superpowers. Here are some other surprising ways bamboo can be used in your everyday life:

• Use it in your garden to create tomato cages, fences or a trellis that breaks down naturally at the end of its life
• Try a glass of bamboo beer for a change of pace
• Eat bamboo in a stir fry, in a soup or on its own

There are countless other ways bamboo is useful to people. It’s been used for creating musical instruments, toys, roads and even diapers!

Reducing Your Footprint With Bamboo Products

Reducing plastic waste through everyday choices should be a top priority for your health and well-being. With a little forethought and these eco-friendly tips, you can make it happen. Bamboo is a logical go-to choice for reducing your carbon footprint and reducing your water use too. 

 

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