Among the great qualities of bamboo is that it is naturally antibacterial and also waterproof, which makes it a better option than other hardwoods that can stain or deteriorate when any type of moisture comes into contact. It is also an extremely durable piece of material that is easy to move and has a natural gold color. Bamboo furniture is an attractive addition to your home or office, as well as helping our precious planet and animals. Bamboos are habitats for several endangered species, including the giant panda, so increasing the growth of the bamboo helps them too.
Bamboo, being one of the most prolific plants in the world, can reach maturity in about four years, compared to a typical 25 to 70 years for commercial tree species. Although most people are generally familiar with this beautiful and graceful plant, the average person is generally surprised to learn that there are over 1000 documented uses of bamboo. Bamboo is actually a tropical herb, with an extensive root system that sends out an average of four to six new shoots per year, naturally replenishing and growing to heights of 50 feet or more. Some species of bamboo grow up to 4 feet per day and can be harvested every 3 to 4 years. As a result, bamboo is one of nature’s most sustainable resources, as it regenerates naturally. Bamboo is an abundant and renewable natural product with many remarkable characteristics. It is natural and chemical free and is grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Bamboo fiber is 100% biodegradable.
Another excellent natural plant is hemp, which is often considered an environmental “super fiber.” Hemp fabric is made from fibers from the herbaceous plant of the Cannabis Sativa species. It is a high-yielding crop that produces significantly more fiber per acre than cotton or flax. Hemp is a durable material and is excellent for handbags, backpacks, laptop cases, and shoulder bags, and when mixed with organic cotton it has a soft, flexible texture. All products made with hemp are ecological, sustainable and free of psychoactive substances. They are also a unique and ideal gift, showing that you care about our planet.
The plant that produces this ecological tissue is a different variety of the cannabis plant. Due to the similar leaf shape, hemp is frequently confused with marijuana, although both plants are ‘Cannabis’, hemp contains virtually no THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana.
Hemp growers do not need to use herbicides or pesticides. Hemp suppresses weeds and improves the soil for crop rotation and is therefore very suitable for use in organic and sustainable agriculture. The massive introduction of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides has contributed to keeping the price of cotton and other fiber and oilseed crops low. However, as pests have become more resistant to these chemicals, greater amounts are required to poison both the land and the water supply. It is planted so hard that there is no light left for weed growth and it does not attract pests. A large percentage of the nutrients that hemp uses for growth is returned to the soil as the leaves fall, thus reducing the need for fertilizers. It also fits well in an organic crop rotation where soil fertility must be maintained.
Hemp’s main competitors are cotton (paper and textiles), flax (fiber and oil) and evening primrose (health). All of these are grown using large amounts of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals. Hemp also provides a sustainable alternative to many oil-based products. These can be extremely harmful to the environment both in terms of residues from petroleum refining, spills during transport and disposal of end products, which are often not biodegradable. Plastic, nylon, polyester, PVC, cellophane, fiberglass resins, and many other common everyday products are often petroleum-based, but now hemp is used to make plastics.
Nature herself is giving us the answers to help our planet; we just need to make the most of our renewable natural resources.
Hemp and bamboo: we love you!
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