Spotlight on…bamboo
Through our Spotlight series, we delve into different sustainable design issues, materials and subjects. We want to increase transparency and cut through the greenwashing to help you make responsible design decisions for all parts of your home.
This week, we’re talking about an increasingly popular material in the building and interior design sectors - bamboo. This fast-growing plant is making its mark on the interiors industry as a versatile, sustainable material with claims of many environmental and health benefits. In this blog we go through the design benefits, innovative products and also the misconceptions surrounding bamboo.
Palawan Pendant, Made in Design 2. Romboo Crema d’Orcia, Salvatori 3. Champagne Round Mirror, Hudson Home 4. Lusso Wall Mounted Bath Shower Mixer Tap Brushed Gold, Lusso Stone 5. Bamboo Toothbrush Holder, Ekobo, Totem 6. Humdakin Hand Wash, Amara 7. Wooden Bath Bridge by WireWorks, Heals 8. ‘Milk’ Bamboo Flooring, Paolo Interiors 9. Bamboo Bath Towels, Wearth London 10. Sag Stool, MDF Italia, Made in Design
Doing more with less
Bamboo is of the fastest-growing plants in the world, growing up to 120cm a day! It can provide much higher yields compared to other natural materials making it an attractive alternative to hardwoods and cotton.
Other benefits of bamboo
It requires no pesticides or chemical fertiliser and self-regenerates from its own roots
Bamboo production uses less water than cotton
Absorbs carbon and is carbon neutral
Releases 35% more oxygen into the atmosphere than hardwood trees
Organic
Biodegradable
Bamboo forests have the potential to protect local biodiversity and improve both the local environment and play an important role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. It is predominately grown in China where transparency of growing practices are improving. As with most natural products, bamboo is a sustainable material if grown under the right conditions.
Using bamboo in interior architecture and design
Bamboo can be used for so many architecture and design products - furniture, rugs, bedding, paper, tableware - the list goes on! Today, over one billion people live in bamboo houses thanks to its strength quality. Alongside its ethical and environmental benefits, bamboo is perfect for buildings and interiors:
It’s strong - in Hong Kong it is preferred to metal for scaffolding
Durability
Affordability - cheaper than most traditional woods
It’s long-lasting
Luxurious textiles
Bamboo can also be manufactured into textiles such as bedding, towels and clothing. It is a great alternative to cotton because of its superior properties:
Soft - bamboo textiles have a similar feeling to silk
Breathable
Temperature regulating
Hypoallergenic
One frequently highlighted benefit is bamboo’s anti-bacterial properties. However, the anti-bacterial elements in the plant don’t get transferred when it’s manufactured into textiles.
Choosing the right bamboo products
Look out for the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification when shopping for bamboo textiles and fabric. This means they are certified free of harmful chemicals.
Some products are made of bamboo rayon that requires toxic production methods. Rayon is created from bamboo or wood pulp processes into a chemical fibre, generating significant environmental and health problems, in contrast to natural bamboo products. Though there has been a crackdown on labelling, products can still say ‘rayon made from bamboo’ which may mislead consumers into thinking it’s a healthy, sustainable fabric - which it isn’t.
Bamboo in the garden
Growing bamboo outdoors in the UK isn’t necessarily the best idea. As a fast-growing plant, bamboo is naturally invasive and can quickly dominate your outdoor space. It also poses a threat to native species, negatively affecting biodiversity.
Bamboo can be an incredibly powerful material for responsible design and architecture. Its versatility makes it an ideal material for those conscious of the environmental, health and ethical impact of their space. As with many ‘green’ products, it is important to understand the composition of the product and if necessary, check with the company or your interior designer about the manufacturing process.
This post contains affiliate links.
If you’d like to find out more about how you can make your home healthier and more sustainable, get in touch via our contact page for a free consultation!
