There is increasing concern about the impact that plastics items, especially single use plastics, have on our natural environment. Whilst plastic is very useful in many applications, the problem is that is very slow to break down after use. Indeed, plastics does not disappear when it breaks down it just gets smaller and the resultant microplastics are now found almost everywhere on earth – even in the deepest oceans and the Antarctic landscape. It is not just thrown away plastics that are the problem. Garments made from materials such as polyester and nylon shed microplastic fibres when they are washed. These microfibres are too small to filter out of the wastewater and end up in the world’s oceans
Thousands of tonnes of plastics thus end up in the world’s oceans and because they are very slow to break down, they cause serious problems for wildlife as microplastics become embedded in the food chain. Furthermore, some sea creatures mistakenly eat plastics –thinking them to be food – or become entangled in plastics such as discarded fishing nets or plastics bags.
Because mixed plastics waste is particularly difficult to recycle, advanced economies often export the waste to poorer countries which do not have the correct facilities to handle it. The waste may be burnt – giving off toxic fumes or simply dumped causing problems for the local environment by polluting waterways and fragile environments.
So, there is a widespread agreement that we should cut down on our unnecessary plastics use. We should choose more natural materials that are biodegradable and have a low environment impact. Bamboo is a great solution for this problem.
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world and readily available. It can be harvested after just 3-5 years and requires very little fertiliser and very low amounts of water (compared to say cotton). Furthermore, when bamboo is harvested, the root structure is usually left untouched meaning the plants will regenerate themselves. Bamboo also absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than either cotton or timber and releases more oxygen back into the air. Bamboo is also a completely natural and biodegradable material. Bamboo has multiple uses around the world. In Asia there are many culinary uses for bamboo which also forms a major food source for many animals – most famously the Giant Panda.
There are many construction and building uses for bamboo including cladding, poles, flooring, and wall slats. To make bamboo wood products the bamboo is cut, split and sorted into varying lengths. The bamboo is then normally put into steamers allowing a caramellising process to occur and is then dried. The bamboo strips can then be glued and laminated on presses into sheets ready for final product manufacture.
Other processes exist which allow bamboo to be used as a raw material for producing a variety of consumer and industrial items. Through a variety of production methods, bamboo fibres are processed to the point where they can be spun and combed to form a fabric suitable for use in textile and clothing manufacture, commonly bamboo viscose or sometimes bamboo rayon. The processes that transform bamboo cellulose into a usable fabric involve the use of substantial chemicals and it is important that the production process is carried out to the highest possible safety standards. Other production systems such as a closed loop system are more desirable as the chemicals involved are recovered and re-used rather than exiting the production process. There is also a mechanical production method using natural enzymes to break down the bamboo, which is expensive, but which produces a high quality bamboo fabric sometimes known as bamboo linen.
For solid products such as coffee cups, the bamboo is ground to allow the creation of a woody pulp. Often corn starch is added and sometimes a processing aid or a reinforcing resin such as melamine to provide extra resilience. The formed product can then be dried in an oven prior to final finishing measures such as polishing and printing. Bamboo pulp can also be used to make paper.
Bamboo itself has anti-bacterial properties often called ‘bamboo kun’. But be aware that not all these properties may survive the processes that convert bamboo into bamboo fabrics. Bamboo clothing has good wicking properties which means it naturally resists moisture and guides it away from the skin. Bamboo products are soft and naturally smoothing and are considered to be very comfortable to wear. The structure of the products also give breathable and thermo regulating properties meaning it is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Hypoallergenic properties are also present in some products. In addition, bamboo fabric is hard wearing and durable. However, it is important to buy from ethical manufacturers who take great care to manage and understand the whole production process.
It's also important to read carefully the care and washing instructions that come with your bamboo product purchase. For example not all bamboo coffee cups are suitable for microwave use. Many bamboo textile products can only receive a cold wash (typically defined as 30C max) and some may not be tumble dried. It's important to follow the manufacturers’ instructions to prolong the life of your product and so as not to invalidate your guarantee.
