The benefits of Bamboo

I try to be as aware as possible of the impact of my environmental footprint – how the way I live, and what I consume and purchase affects the world I live in. There are lots of steps that many of us do automatically now – things such as conserving water, reusing and recycling, buying locally grown produce, walking, cycling, or taking public transport instead of using our cars wherever possible.

There are other things that we can do easily, little things that can add up to make a big difference. I hadn’t really thought about it until the other day, when our new bamboo toothbrushes arrived. It made me wonder what else could be, or already is, made out of bamboo. As well as asking myself if it really is a better option.

I started searching a little online, looking for some background, and found that bamboo is a really good choice of material to use compared to traditional materials. Bamboo needs much less water than crops such as cotton, it grows in poor quality soil, and because of the way it is harvested it helps prevent soil erosion. With no natural pests, growing bamboo doesn’t require the use of large amounts of pesticides that run off into the soil, thus polluting the environment.

One of the biggest benefits of bamboo is that compared to an equivalent tree mass, bamboo produces 35% more oxygen and research has shown that bamboo can absorb as much as 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare per year. Add to that the fact it can grow up to a metre a day, making it very sustainable and you really do have a wonder crop.

Not only can you buy toothbrushes, but you can actually get clothing made from Bamboo. I came across Bamigo, a company that makes a collection of t-shirts, underwear, socks, and loungewear for men, all from bamboo. Bamboo clothing is naturally antibacterial, and also keeps you odour free. It’s an incredibly soft fabric that pulls moisture away from the body, insulates, keeps you cool in warm weather and warm in cold weather. It is also fantastic for those with allergies or eczema as it is hypoallergenic, and offers natural UV protection.