Bamboo

Best Bamboo Facts

Best Bamboo Facts

The Most Interesting Bamboo Facts

  Bamboo is an amazing material that can be turned into pretty much anything. We can buy bamboo toothbrushes, bamboo paper goods, and even bamboo bedding. There are so many cool bamboo facts that we can learn about. We can discover how bamboo grows, the properties of bamboo, and all the uses of bamboo. If we are trying to reduce our environmental footprint, switching to bamboo products is a great idea. We can have the convenience of the products we love without worrying about harming the planet in the long term.

How Bamboo Grows

  Bamboo grows quicker and in more locations than other materials we might reach for to make products out of. Seeing how easy it is to grow bamboo, we should not be surprised that we can find such a range of bamboo products that we can purchase.

  1. Bamboo is the largest grass in the world, the only grass that can diversify into forest, and in the wild, a bamboo plant can live for over 120 years.
  1. Most woody plants, such as trees, take many years to grow and mature, but bamboo takes only 3 to 5 years to fully mature, which makes it much more sustainable to grow.
  1. Bamboo is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, the Americas, Australia, and Africa and can grow in a wide range of areas, from sea level up to 13,120 feet. It can also survive in extreme conditions such as those in the Andes and Himalayas with temperatures below zero. The fact that bamboo can adapt to so many environments is important as we face the impact of global climate change.
  1. The roots of the bamboo plant are very strong and develop into a wide system where many plants exist, providing stability to the soil and preventing erosion. Bamboo can also be harvested again and again, which means it has a smaller ecological impact than other materials.
  1. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, with certain species like the Chinese Moso bamboo growing up to 3 feet in just one day and has even gotten a Guinness World Record for its growth.

Bamboo Properties

  In addition to bamboo’s ability to grow so well, bamboo has other properties that make it a great material to use for a wide range of items. This is how bamboo can be used in everything from sheets to toilet paper to toothbrushes.

  1. Bamboo is very easy to grow, and so is used for more purposes than any other natural material. Bamboo can grow without using any fertilizers because its own leaves fall to the ground, providing all the nutrients it needs to grow strong.
  1. The bamboo plant absorbs more carbon dioxide from the air than any other plant and produces 30% more oxygen than any other plant, effectively cleaning the air and reducing the effects of greenhouse gasses.
  1. Bamboo has antibacterial properties which remain once it has been made into consumer goods. 
  1. Bamboo fiber is hypoallergenic, which means it is a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin.
  1. Bamboo fiber has natural wicking properties that keep moisture away from the skin, natural cooling properties, and does not retain body heat, making it the best choice of material for sheets and other bedding in warm climates and for hot sleepers. Bamboo’s antimicrobial properties mean bamboo is antifungal and makes products made from bamboo fiber odor resistant.

Uses Of Bamboo

  Almost any product you can think of can be made with bamboo instead of other materials that have a much larger negative impact on the environment. Instead of using plastic-derived products or materials that have a high environmental cost, consider switching to bamboo products.

  1. Bamboo is a versatile plant that can be used for construction, medicine, clothing, crafts, and food. Bamboo also has a structure that is stronger than steel, making it a popular material in the construction industry for scaffolding and also for floors, furniture, and house walls. Bamboo is used to make a variety of everyday items that need to be strong, such as skateboards, bicycle frames, and helmets.
  2. Traditional medicine makes use of the compounds in bamboo to treat infections and wounds for faster healing.
  1. Bamboo fibers are the strongest natural fibers in the world, making bamboo textiles very durable. 
  1. Bamboo fibers have rounded edges, which make them exceedingly soft and gentle when used as bedding or clothing.
  1. Bamboo charcoal is even used to conduct electricity by placing bamboo charcoal in a very thin film dispersed on the surface of a glass or silicon substrate.