The Benefits Of Bamboo Products And Why They're So Popular

You'll notice across our shop that many of the alternatives to plastic products are made from bamboo, and there's several great reasons for that. Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials available. It's also super versatile. 

Plastic products have remained popular for decades but now bamboo is emerging as a hot contender for replacing plastics in everything from toothbrushes, soap dishes, cutlery and even your bedding. Is bamboo really that eco-friendly? How many plastic products can it really replace? Let's take a look at the facts. 

What Is Bamboo?

Although often similar in looks to trees and typically referred to as a plant, bamboo is actually a type of grass. There are more than 1000 species of bamboo, all thriving in different climates. 

Bamboo is one of the most popular sustainable materials but it's also really versatile and because of these properties it's the perfect choice for replacing many plastics. 

What Makes Bamboo So Eco-Friendly? 

For a start, the production of bamboo has so many benefits for the environment. 

• Bamboo plantations remove carbon dioxide from the air. Bamboo also produces 35% more oxygen than hardwood trees. 
• Bamboo requires less water to grow successfully and doesn't need pesticides or fertiliser. 
• A lot of species of bamboo only take 3-5 years to mature. Hardwood trees can take over 40 years. 
• Bamboo doesn't need to be re-planted after harvesting as the roots remain untouched. The added bonus of this is the soil is unaffected. 

Why Is Bamboo Better For The Planet Than Plastic? 

While plastic is versatile, cheap and durable it's bad news for the planet. We can't replace all plastic products with bamboo but there are many that we can. There's some seriously good reasoning behind why bamboo is more eco-friendly.

• Bamboo is renewable, grows quickly and provides a constant supply of raw material. 
• It can remove 12 tonnes of CO2 per hectare, per year. 
• Bamboo is biodegradable and compostable. 
• Bamboo roots can restore damaged land or eroding soil. 
• Bamboo production provides work opportunities for many around the world. 

 How Many Products Can Be Made From Bamboo?

One of bamboos best properties is its versatility closely followed by its durability. Bamboo products last a long time however when they do come to the end of their useful life they can be composted and returned back into the soil. 

For all bamboo has a higher tensile strength than steel, when it's used for fabric it's soft and still durable making it perfect for bedding. Some of the most popular bamboo products include;

• Furniture including tables and chairs
• Jewellery such as necklaces and rings
• Toothbrushes
• Clothing
• Cutlery and crockery
• Decorative vases and bowls
• Toys
• Plasters
• Straws 
• Bedding and other soft furnishings

So now you know just how amazingly sustainable bamboo is check out some of our best selling bamboo products and start making the switch.