Bamboo: An Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Phenomenon
What is the first thing that pops into your head if you hear the word bamboo? A big fluffy Panda? China?
This awesome flowering plant mainly found in Asia, Australia, USA Africa is also an eco-friendly and sustainability phenomenon. Here's how it is being put to good use today in modern society...
Bamboozling Facts About Bamboo
Bamboo is seen by many as a type of wonder grass. This natural flowering plant provides a range of uses. We most commonly associate it as the food of Pandas. whilst this is true, Bamboo has a much greater scope. Bamboo is extremely sustainable and its production/harvesting is known to provide minimal impact on our overall environment. The following are some of the main benefits of bamboo:
Growth and harvesting- Bamboo requires no harmful chemicals or pesticides to grow
- No irrigation is required during the growing stage
- It has a rapid growth cycle and can be harvested within 5 years
- It can be grown in a myriad of environments
- Bamboo self-regenerates and rarely requires re-planting
Environmental impact
- It produces more oxygen than an equivalent number of trees
- It is carbon neutral
- It can prevent soil erosion
- Fibre production has a minimal environmental impact
As you can see, bamboo is a fantastic form of grass to grow. It has a number of benefits in comparison to other production materials. The lack of harmful chemicals and pesticides needed to grow bamboo effectively is a huge bonus. This means that there is no air pollution, and wildlife is not harmed in the process of growing bamboo. The fact that 'the grass' regenerates itself is superb. It means that it does not have to be replanted, which can in turn help maintain the soil quality.
The actual production process when turned into fibres causes much less damage in comparison to other material processes. In short, bamboo is a brilliant sustainable material and it is easy to see why it is seeing a surge in usage in various industries.
More Amazing bamboo Facts
Below are some facts about bamboo and its properties that help to make it an eco-friendly phenomenon:
- Bamboo is stronger than steel
- Bamboo has natural antibacterial properties
- Humans can also eat bamboo too (not just Pandas!)
- Bamboo can be used as a deodorizer
- Bamboo can be used to age spirits
- Bamboo is classed as an evergreen perennial flowering plant
- There are over 1400 known species of bamboo
- Bamboo can be grown both indoors and outdoors
- Some bamboo species can grow up to three feet in a day
5 Awesome Uses For Bamboo
To provide an insight into the current popularity of bamboo, we have listed 5 different ways that it is used in modern society. This list is not exhaustive and there are even more uses this sustainable grass has:
1. Reusable drinking straws – Plastic one-use straws are plaguing our planet. How many different stores and restaurants can you easily obtain a handful of these wasteful items? Did you know that you can actually buy bamboo straws? The material is long-lasting and provides a better taste too!
2. Herbal medicine – This is not just a modern thing – bamboo has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. Ingredients obtained from black bamboo shoots can be used to help treat renal diseases. Moreover, it has been known to help with such ailments as asthma, coughs and bladder problems. Some people debate the validity of these claims, but societies such as the Chinese have been using it for years.
3. Transportation – In areas of the world where bamboo is abundant, it is often used in the construction of roads and bridges. In jungles, for example, it can be used to create simple bridges that can cross streams and rivers. In countries such as India and China, bamboo has been used within road reinforcements and full-scale bridges as part of the internal structure and framework.
4. Construction – It is said that 1000 houses can be built using just 70 hectares of bamboo. In third world countries, bamboo is often used in the construction industry. It can be used as a viable building material for houses and other structures. This is due to its waterproofing qualities, and the fact that it has superb strength. It is estimated that one billion people throughout the world live in houses made of bamboo.
5. Furniture – Again due to its strength and resistant qualities, bamboo can make excellent furniture. Craftspeople around the world have turned bamboo into anything from chairs and beds, to tables and wardrobes. The furniture is excellent quality and it is, of course, sustainable too which is fantastic for the environment.
It is vitally important that we continue to explore the uses of natural materials such as bamboo. We can and should reduce our reliance on plastic and other pollutant products. What do you think?
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