Following some recent reports on the internet I feel the need to air a few views on the “bamboo – good or bad” issue. Bamboo products – floors, furniture, clothing, textiles – have certainly grown in popularity over the last few years, largely on the back of their perceived environmental/green image. But do the products actually live up to this reputation? I decided that I would look into this issue a bit further, looking first at bamboo as a flooring method.
Obviously when compared to hardwood options bamboo scores highly as a sustainable resource. Maturity occurs in the order of 5 years in comparison to the 20+ years taken for hardwood. This results in a much higher yield per hectare. The physical properties of bamboo – strength, flexibility, versatility – make it a very viable alternative to timber and metal.
Bamboo also plays a very important role in removing CO2 from the atmosphere and at a higher rate than alternative trees. This is done through the process of sequestration (storage in a physical form) of carbon dioxide. It also is grown largely without the need for fertilisers.
Well all positive so far. It does perhaps get complicated when we start to look at the manufacturing/processing side and more specifically the glue used in the process. I do accept that this may not be the most ecologically responsible method and this is certainly one of the main concerns often cited. However I would argue that when compared to the environmental impacts of alternative wood based products these concerns pale into insignificance.
One of the other issues is the transportation problems due to the fact that the vast majority of bamboo is produced in China and the requirement to ship it all around the world to the US and Europe especially.
However, all this aside we may need to accept that all resources have some negative impacts, it is just the degree of impact that we need to be concerned with. Personally I am happy with my choice of bamboo for the floor in the living room – it looks great too!
Any views on this?
Sunday, 28. December 2008
What did you find about bamboo as a textile? I am trying to determine whether bamboo is better than conventionally grown cotton.
Sunday, 28. December 2008
Hi Geeter Done, thanks for the reminder that I have not yet published a piece on bamboo clothing - will need to this in near future. In the meantime I would encourage you to look at http://www.bambooclothing.co.uk.
I recently got clothes from this place and it was great quality. I would argue that ‘conventionally’ grown cotton comes nowhere near bamboo (far too many nasty practices used), organic cotton is another matter however as it is grown without nasty chemicals. Personally when I buy clothes I always looked for organic cotton, now however I am beginning to increase the bamboo clothing in my wardrobe when I need to buy more (not one for upgrading my wardrobe often though!).
A little disclaimer though, make sure how your bamboo is being produced, is it in a sustainable fashion, that is one of the reasons I like bambooclothing.co.uk and plus they were very helpful when I asked them lots of questions.