Why we love Bamboo - it's sustainability on steroids

bamboo tray
Bamboo – the wonder plant?
© also home

Pandas have known it for years, but the eco world is just starting to wake up to the benefits of bamboo. Probably the most hardworking plant on the planet, it has been described by the LA Times as 'sustainability on steriods.' We find out why this humble plant is whipping the eco world up into a frenzy.

1. Reach for the sky

Bamboo was awarded its impressive 'sustainability on steroids' title by the LA Times thanks to the astonishing rate at which it can grow. Officially the fastest growing plant in the world some growers in tropical climes swear they can hear the plant creaking as it grows. Once harvested the fibres of this wonder plant can then be turned into all manner of products from linens and towels to furniture and home accessories like these bamboo trays (£10) at Also Home.

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    2. At your feet

    Bamboo is actually a hollow grass, not a wood, so is categorised as a renewable material. But it has us fooled. We love the Zen appeal of theis simple bamboo ladder towel rack (£24) from Graham and Green.A timeless classic, every stylish bathroom should have one.

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    3. Cotton? It's so last season...

    The fibres of the bamboo plant can also be used to weave a surprisingly soft and silky fabric which is fast becoming a popular and green alternative to cotton. According to artist–couturier Linda Loudermilk, bamboo has 'all the properties that you physically want out of cotton, plus some.' Try this Cotton bamboo blend bedlinen at House of Fraser for a good nights sleep.

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    4. Squeaky clean

    The long fibres of bamboo look really striking when used to create home accessories. Scrub up with these super slick Bamboo soap dishes (£8.50) from The Green Apple. Almost too good to hide in the bathroom these little dishes could also be used to store jewellery or keys. Lacquered in a range of zingy contemporary colours with the natural bamboo on show inside they have been really popular since their launch.

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    5. Eastern elegance

    Bamboo makes a fantastic window covering as the woven bamboo sticks provide a dense enough cover to protect your privacy whilst still letting though small slivers of light. Keep cool with this Eastern style bamboo roll roman blind (£9) from Sainsbury's. Easy to fit, this simple blind can simply be wiped clean or even vacuumed.

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    6. Pale and interesting

    I love the pared down simplicity of this whitewashed Sapporo Shelving Unit (249) from Marks and Spencer. The clean lines keep the unit looking fresh and modern. Perfect to store and display your favourite items it is crafted predominantly from solid bamboo and bamboo veneer.

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    7. Keep your cool

    The fibers of the bamboo plant are naturally porous and bamboo fabrics are super absorbant, quick drying and naturally antibacterial. So it doesn't take a genius to work out that the fabric is perfect for towels. The Natural Collection are always ahead of the eco game and their new collection of silky soft luxury bath towels are made from 65% bamboo and 35% cotton and have not been bleached with chlorine.

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    8. Tread lightly

    While it take a lifetime for hardwood to mature it typically takes bamboo only about 3-5 years to reach a size that can be used for the manufacture of flooring like this bamboo flooring (£26.65) from Wickes. So far so good. However, whilst other woods can be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council most bamboo products have no environmental certification. (Although this is hopefully changing) So it's up to you as a consumer to do your homework and question the ethical practices of your supplier before buying. People power!

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    9. Don't come unstuck

    A hidden nasty of bamboo flooring production is the formaldehyde which is found in the adhesives used to bind together the bamboo fibres. Reputable flooring companies offer glues that emit much smaller amounts of formaldehyde than others so always check this out. The formaldehyde emissions for this strand woven bamboo flooring (£38.78) Urbane living are 0.7mg/l. This is well below the strict EU standard of 1.5mg/l.

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    10. So what's the catch?

    Is there anything that this wonder plant can't do? Well, ironically, its rapid growth in popularity could also be the downfall of this super crop. High demand is turning it into a 'cash crop' so large areas of natural forests are being cleared to grow bamboo for export, disrupting the fragile forest ecosystem. So if we want to continue to enjoy bamboo then we need to make sure that we do so in a way that doesn't over-tax the environnment. And leave some for the Pandas.

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