Growth

Bamboo has many advantages over other fibres as a raw material for textiles, particularly cotton.

The bamboo species used for clothing is called Moso bamboo, or Phyllostachys edulis. Moso bamboo is the most important bamboo in China, where it covers about 3 million hectares. It is the main species for bamboo timber and plays an important role for the ecological environment.  As well as having edible shoots, it is said to have a breaking tenacity more than three times that of cotton, wool, rayon or polyester – so it’s super durable!

Harvesting and Land Use

Bamboo can be used as food, fibre and shelter. It is cheap, easy to grow and it grows quickly.  It is a sustainable and efficient crop.  Once a new shoot emerges from the ground, the new cane will reach its full height in just 8–10 weeks. Bamboo can be continually re-harvested with no damage to the surrounding environment. Unlike many natural fibres, because it is a grass, it regenerates after being cut without the need for replanting – just like a lawn!  Studies have shown that this regular harvesting might actually benefit the environment, as felling leads to vigorous re-growth and an increase in the amount of biomass the next year.  According to the Biomass Energy Centre, the carbon used to construct biomass is absorbed from the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2) by plant life, using energy from the sun – i.e, bamboo actually absorbs CO2!

Greenhouse gases and global warming

Because of deforestation, there are fewer trees to soak up rising levels of CO2 (causing global warming). As mentioned earlier, bamboo minimises CO2, but not only this, according to Bamboo Central it actually generates up to 35% more oxygen than equivalent stands of trees!  Again, to compare: one hectare of bamboo removes 62 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year while one hectare of young forest only removes 15.

Biodegradable

Because bamboo is derived entirely from plant cellulose, it is biodegradable in soil by micro organisms and sunlight.  Products made from bamboo can be composted and disposed of in an organic and environmentally friendly manner.

Pesticides and fertilizers

A huge benefit of using bamboo is that there is no need for pesticides or fertilisers when growing it. It also contains a natural substance called “bamboo-kun” – an antimicrobial agent that gives the plant a natural resistance to pest and fungi infestation.

Antimicrobial Properties

Even though bamboo fabrics are often advertised as antibacterial, in reality finished bamboo fabric does not retain all of the bamboo’s original antibacterial property; research is being conducted whereby antibacterial agents are being added to bamboo fabric to enhance its antibacterial properties.

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