It’s no secret that life on our little blue planet is often substantially less green than it could be, from entire forests being cut down to satisfy the logging industry – to oil leaking out into our oceans – to litter building up in our streets. This is why more and more people are doing things to lower their environmental impact, i.e. going veggie or using public transportation. If you’re attempting to live more sustainably, you probably also want to make greener choices when it comes to the products you bring into your house. This could mean:

• cutting down on unnecessary packaging
• finding items that are longer-lasting
• choosing zero-waste options that can be recycled or even composted at the end of their lives rather than being sent to the landfill

If we had a magic wand, we’d like to make sure every product would be long-lasting, inexpensive, easy to recycle/compost at the end of its useful life, and made from eco-friendly resources. Sadly, we don’t have that magic wand. But if we did, it would be made from the material that fulfills all of these criteria: bamboo!

What makes bamboo an eco-friendly material?

Let’s dive right in by explaining why bamboo is the green choice for your future purchases.

Healing the planet

It’s no secret that Mother Earth (and by extension, everything living on it) is facing some serious threats right now from pollution. Pollution is making soil infertile, making it harder for people to breathe, and is even linked to natural disasters. Bamboo is one of the best plants on earth able to fight pollution and the crises it causes. It’s by no means a substitute for actually lowering our pollution levels, but it’s a great start! Here are some of the ways bamboo plants help to heal the planet:

1. Regenerating soil and removing toxins: When soil has been damaged as the result of pollution or poor farming practices, it can become infertile or even diseased. Bamboo is one of the few plants that can grow and thrive in these areas, but it can also:

• Regenerate the topsoil, when its nutrient-rich leaves fall off and decompose
• Remove toxins (i.e. mercury, lead) from the soil and trap them inside its stalk where they pose no danger to humans

2. Making the air breathable: Most people know that all plants take in CO2 and emit oxygen during photosynthesis, but you can be forgiven for not knowing that bamboo does this four times more effectively than hardwood trees.

Rapidly renewable resource

Bamboo is a type of grass that grows to maturity after about five years, depending on the species. Fully grown bamboo is harvested by being cut at the base of the stalk, from which it will later regrow. Because bamboo only takes a short time to grow, it is better to use this for creating products in our homes instead of using hardwoods that can take decades to grow, metals that are harvested from the center of the earth, or plastics that are created from our fast-depleting oil sources

A gentle harvest

Bamboo plants are able to be harvested by hand, so there’s no need for heavy machinery that kicks out pollution as it runs. You can see just how gentle this is in the video above. A side benefit of this type of harvest is that the farmer will spot any plant life or animals that are nestled in the bamboo forest and work around them without harming them. If they were working from atop a machine, they wouldn’t be able to take such precautions, which could lead to the death of the (sometimes rare) animals and plants.

Stabilizing the earth

As previously noted, bamboo plants do not need to be uprooted during harvesting, unlike hardwoods. This reduces deforestation – yay! – and means that the soil around the plant is not being destabilized, so it’s less likely to erode in wind and rain. Soil erosion can quickly lead to decreased water quality in the surrounding area, soil infertility, and even mudslides, so it’s vital that we avoid this at all costs.

No pesticides needed

Bamboo plants grow tall and strong without the use of pesticides, leaving less chance of any harm to insects or animals and less pollution. Why d’ya think the people who spray crops wear those HAZMAT-esque suits?

The top 13 bamboo products for your house

Not only is bamboo much more eco-friendly than other similar materials, it’s also much more cost-effective to produce, making your goods much cheaper. Thus, without further delay, we present you with our top 13 bamboo products we wouldn’t be without.

1. Bamboo toilet paper

If you really give a cr*p about the environment, then why not invest in toilet paper made from bamboo? It saves water, prevents deforestation, and reduces carbon emissions. It’s the next best thing to using a bidet.

2. Bamboo on-the-go utensils

Disposable cutlery is one of the most irritating things for many eco-friendly people because you rarely think about taking a fork to work for your lunchtime salad or checking out the utensil situation at a café before ordering. Also, no one feels reassured if you’re carrying a metal knife in your bag… just saying. That’s where bamboo cutlery – sealed with an all-natural, vegan, and food safe finish – comes in. Just keep it in your bag and rinse with clean water after use.

3. Bamboo Speakers

It’s often hard to recycle electrical products when they break because they’re made up of a mixture of plastics, metals, and really scary looking wires. They can’t be recycled as a whole unit, and they’re hard to break down into their base materials. In most areas, you have to take them to the dump or a specialized recycling plant. The problem is that a lot of these areas are out of the way, which means that you either increase your carbon footprint by driving there or end up putting them in a landfill. Instead, opt for bamboo speakers that can easily be recycled at the end of their life by sending them back to the company that made them.

4. Bamboo towels

You may not immediately think of bamboo when it comes to towels, but the plant has been used to make fabric for centuries. They’re super soft, really absorbent, and still feel new after years of use. Bamboo is also much more eco-friendly than cotton, thanks to its fast regeneration and its CO2-fighting qualities.

5. Bamboo Bottle

There are 140 million plastic bottles being sent to landfills in the US every day. That doesn’t even account for those bottles that end up littering our oceans or green spaces. As part of an effort to combat this problem, more people are seeking a reusable bottle for their drinks; this is where bamboo water bottles come in. They’ll keep your drink cool, they’re tough enough to survive being dropped during a run, and they look awesome too.

6. Bamboo solar battery

There are so many people who can’t stand going off-grid nowadays, with 90% of Americans reporting that they suffer from some symptoms of Low Battery Anxiety. Beat this fear without harming the environment by investing in a solar-powered battery charger made from bamboo. It’s double the eco-friendliness in just one product. Don’t worry, it’s also really gentle. That’s hardly the area where you want to skimp on softness, is it?

7.     Bamboo floors

Beautiful bamboo floors

Bamboo flooring can suit any design scheme, so no matter what your décor, you can have a bamboo floor to match. If you have a more natural look to your home, then you can choose thick bamboo planks in their natural state. Or if your home has a rustic vibe, you could select planks with a darker varnish and a more textured finish. Even modern homes can enjoy the many benefits of bamboo floors. Beautiful, whitewashed planks, like Rustic Ivory Whitewashed Bamboo Hardwood Flooring, will brighten any room and bring new life to dark furniture.

Strong bamboo floors

Bamboo floors are one of the toughest floors around. Strand woven bamboo flooring, which is created by applying pressure and heat to bamboo strands, clocks in at a massive 3,000 on the Janka hardness scale, beating out all hardwoods. Even solid or engineered bamboo floors still rank above most hardwood floors. Solid bamboo planks are three times stronger than oak and will stand up to a lifetime of family drama, from foot-stomping to full-on temper tantrums. And that’s just from the adults.

Bamboo floors: the smart choice

Okay, so for all their positives, bamboo floors can’t think for themselves… as far as we know. However, they are the intelligent choice for anyone who wants to protect the environment when making improvements to their home. There are many ways that bamboo flooring is eco-friendly and, therefore, a great green investment for your home, especially compared to hardwood floors. Let’s look at just a few.

• Bamboo flooring doesn’t affect panda’s diets: Everyone knows that pandas eat mainly bamboo, so you might worry that you are starving some poor panda bear by installing bamboo floors. Luckily, pandas don’t actually eat Moso bamboo, which is the only type suitable for making flooring, so you can relax.
• Bamboo floors are more durable: As noted above, bamboo flooring bests hardwoods on the Janka hardness scale and is much more durable. It will last longer before needing refinishing or replacing and use fewer resources over the same period of time.
• Bamboo requires less transport: While many hardwood trees grow in the US, the company which owns them will often send them to China (or elsewhere in Asia) for manufacturing before shipping them back to America. It’s somehow cheaper to do that even if it costs the earth. Bamboo, on the other hand, is grown and manufactured in China and only has to take a one-way trip to your front door.

8.     Bamboo computer accessories

If you’re using a desktop computer, you’ve probably already experienced your keyboard buttons popping off as you type, or the plastic casing of your mouse breaking and letting the ball escape. Did you know you can actually switch out that set for a hand-carved bamboo alternative? Since bamboo is so durable, the keys will stand up to even the most prolific typists, and the mouse won’t crack apart like plastic. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it’s completely biodegradable at the end of its lifetime.

9.     Bamboo straws

Disposable plastic drinking straws are a scourge on the modern environment with Americans using an estimated 500 million of the things per day. Worse, there’s no way to recycle them. Many even wind up in the oceans where they can do untold harm to marine life. It’s time to declare war on straws and opt for bamboo ones that are easy to keep in your bag or your kitchen drawer. Also, thanks to bamboo’s antibacterial qualities, you can feel safe using them for all your smoothies, sodas, and soy milkshakes.

10.  Bamboo skateboards

Most good quality skateboards are often made from Canadian Maple trees and are a huge contributor to deforestation there. Eco-conscious skateboarders and everyone who likes maple syrup on their pancakes (so, basically everyone) wants to put a stop to this. They’ve turned to bamboo skateboards that are better for the environment, without compromising on quality.

11.  Bamboo Sunglasses

Proper sunglasses are essential to protecting your eyes during summer. The problem is that the plastic variety breaks super easily in your bag or suitcase, meaning you have no choice but to trash them. Make a change this summer by opting for bamboo frames that are kind to your eyes and the environment.

12.  Bamboo Toothbrushes

There are two billion plastic toothbrushes ending up in landfills every year, but it’s not like you can give up brushing your teeth (gross!) or use it for longer than the recommended three months. Enter bamboo toothbrushes, which are designed with recyclable BPA-free bristles, a biodegradable handle, and compostable packaging.

13.  Bamboo pet collars

These make a great green alternative to leather or plastic collars. Not only will they do the same job as a regular collar, but because they’re made from bamboo they’ll also be:

• Odor resistant
• Antibacterial
• Biodegradable

It’s great for those concerned about their carbon pawprint.

Be greener every day

Using these incredible bamboo products and skipping products made from less sustainable sources is a small way to be more earth kind this year. f you want to make your area greener, get involved with your local environmental group. They’ll already know the problems (i.e. not having sufficient recycling locations, illegal dumping, air pollution) and be working to solve them. Another important thing to do is contact your local elected official about these problems and ask them what they’ll do about it. Now it’s up to you at home. 

Source: https://www.ambientbp.com/blog/must-have-bamboo-items-sustainable-home