Sunday, January 18, 2009

Oooooh Bamboooooo!

I’ve been a little bamboo crazy lately. I recently bought the To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set (as many other plastic reductions have done), a fork-spoon set for my nephews (pictured) plus some products made by Bambu . There are so many reasons why bamboo is such a great alternative to wood (bamboo is actually a grass – not wood!), plastic, and metal, here are just a few of the reasons why:
  • Bamboo has an amazingly short growth cycle; it can be harvested in 3-5 years (versus 15-20, typical for many hardwoods).
  • Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet (!) it can grow up to 3 feet per day.
  • Bamboo is durable and strong – it is harder than Red Oak and Maple.
  • Bamboo plays an important role in the reduction of timber consumption and it releases 35% more oxygen than equivalent timber stands.
  • Bamboo needs no replanting; it grows without fertilizers or pesticides!
I think the reason I am so crazy about bamboo is that it is such a renewable resourcethe absolute opposite of plastic! Plus bamboo can and is grown organically very often. Also, it is a really versatile product – it can be used to make utensils, toys, flooring, sheets…and I am sure many other things that I have yet to come across which are also made with plastic-y substances .

Feel free to join me in my bamboo craze – it’s fun!

3 comments:

Seren Dippity said...

I bought bamboo sheets mostly because they were on sale and in the color I wanted. I was curious but not enough so to have paid full price. I am totally sold. They are the softest sheets EVER. I LOVE them. They do look a bit wrinkled coming out of the dryer, but soooo soft. I want to try the bamboo towels.

Philip said...

You have to check out www.bamboobike.org . It is an incredible project to bring reliable bikes to poor/rural Africa and build a sustainable bike industry in Africa. Pretty interesting.

Fern Toe said...

Ooooh...thanx for the comments Seren and Philip. I have not seen bamboo towels yet but I'll be on the lookout and bamboobike is awesome!