The thought of bamboo may conjure up images of friendly looking pandas and panpipes (though not being played by the huggable creatures themselves, that would be odd), but the humble bamboo plant isn’t as innocent as it seems.
As one of the fastest growing plants on earth and with no reliance on chemicals or fertilisers to grow, it is one of the greener grasses; it even helps to purify air quality and remove nasty toxins from contaminated soil.
That’s some hard-working grass. But as Eco Salon recently reported, as a fabric it’s not quite so sustainable as we’d all originally thought (and hoped).
‘Sustainable fashion’ may be on the up, but the label is often applied to products that use harsh chemicals to transform bamboo into fabric (known as rayon), which are damaging to both workers and the environment. The use of the harmful chemicals means the bamboo quickly loses its green credentials.
All is not lost, however; though more expensive, a far more environmentally friendly way to make use of bamboo is to mechanically turn it into fibre. This process means crushing the plant into a pulp mixture (it may sound violent, but it’s kinder) and then spinning the separated threads into fibre. Companies can also recover and recycle some chemicals by using a closed-loop system, therefore avoiding any unethical effects.
So before bamboo gets a bad name, check out the products below which say no to polluting chemicals and instead use a planet-friendly way of turning bamboo into beauty.
Which bamboo products are actually green?
Eco-Fashion
Eco-fashion brand Wear Chemistry is making its mark in sustainable fashion with a bamboo clothing range. Their t-shirts are made from 70% bamboo viscose and 30% organic cotton, and they process their bamboo into fabric in a responsible and sustainable way, thanks to the closed-loop system mentioned above.
And it doesn’t stop there; they even use recycled paper for their deliveries and 100% biodegradable plastic for their pop-up shop carrier bags. It’s already loved by the likes of Dave Berry and Angellica Bell, and is certified to be in accordance with the Global Organic Textile Standard. Fashion with a conscience; we like it.
Eco Utensils
If you’re trying to keep your home as green as possible, Bambu Boutique should be your next shopping destination. Their range of cooking utensils and kitchenware is ethically produced in China and Vietnam and they even have the Co-Op America Seal of Approval for their fairness towards workers and the environment. From cute children’s utensils to colourful baskets, their products make a great addition to any eco-conscious kitchen.
Eco Bedding
The innovatively-named Luxury Bamboo Linen company ethically makes, well, luxurious bamboo bed linen, so you can even be responsible while you’re sleeping.
The bamboo used is from non-polluted plantations in China, and is turned into fabric using the kinder process of mushing it into a pulp, before combing out the threads and spinning into yarn, then colouring with azo-free environmental protecting dyes. The bed linen is then created with 60% bamboo and 40% cotton, keeping hold of the plant’s natural anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking properties – perfect for sticky summer nights.
