Bamboo for Sustainability

Have you ever wondered why, with all the scientific and technological advances of the modern world, there still seems to be no replacement for the use of timber acquired from logging as a raw material for various uses such as building construction? You may be very surprised to find out that there is a truly sustainable solution that has already been used for a very long time in certain areas of the world and something you have likely even used yourself in some form or another. You may even have some in your home already and may not even realize that you do. So what is this mysterious and eco-friendly solution to the world’s timber needs? The answer is Bamboo.

Bamboo is a wonderfully sustainable grass that has long been a common building material in various Asian countries. It has also been used for many centuries for a wide variety of purposes far beyond the realm of architectural structures. It has been used for everything from writing utensils to flutes, tableware to farming tools, and even occasionally armor due to its strength and lightness. It is a truly spectacular plant that has long been a major blessing to Asian culture and is finally being recognized by Western society as a truly sustainable means of literally growing a treasure trove of raw materials quickly on the same piece of land.

Let’s take a look at some of the strong points that make the Bamboo plant so wonderful and such a good choice for a sustainable material for products and construction.

1. Speed
Bamboo is considered to be the world’s fastest growing plant. In fact, it has been observed and measured to grow 47.6 inches (121 cm) in 24 hours. That is truly astounding! It also has a maximal growth rate which is able to reach further than 39 inches (more than one meter) per hour. This is not a continuous rate throughout a day, but simply imagine literally watching a plant grow more than a meter in one hour. This is truly an amazing plant.

2. Strength
Bamboo is one of the strongest plant materials of its kind and it is beginning to be used to make skis, snowboards, skateboards, and surfboards. Its durability is evident in many ancient bamboo artifacts still around today.

3. Weight
Bamboo is incredibly light and its light weight is part of the reason for its popular use. Many modern manufacturers are actually making lighter products by switching to Bamboo rather than other woods.

4. Sustainability
The most important aspect of Bamboo for the modern world is, of course, its sustainability! The simple fact that it can be grown and harvested again and again in a fast growth cycle, and can be harvested without environmentally irresponsible methods such as clear cutting in forests, makes this truly a wonderful solution to the issues presented by the timber industry.

Now you know how wonderful Bamboo really is. The next time you have a choice between wood from trees or Bamboo, you know what to do!