In the past few years, we have seen a rapid rise in the use of bamboo products. From toiletries, decor products, furnishings, and clothing, to furniture and medicine, bamboo is everywhere now!
Bamboo is full of benefits, and that makes it extremely popular. Bamboo products by far are the best sustainable replacement for plastics and other materials. Even when compared with different woods, bamboo is more sustainable and renewable as it is the most abundant natural material and economical to grow and harvest.
But why are bamboo products in much demand and widely preferred? To answer this, we have listed down a few interesting facts and benefits of bamboo products.
12 Interesting facts about bamboo
1.Bamboo is the fast-growing plant on the planet -
It is a misconception that bamboo is a tree. It is actually a plant and belongs to the grass family - it is, in fact, the tallest grass in the world. Some species of bamboo grow up to 3 feet in a day. The bamboo shoot grows with its full diameter and reaches its maturing height in 3 to 5 years. After the shoot stops growing, the secondary branches start growing from the nodes, and these branches bear the leaves.
2. Bamboo comes in various colours -
There are nearly 1500 species of bamboo on the planet. And bamboo can be seen in multiple colours like yellow, red, traditional green, brown, etc. Most of these coloured bamboos can also be used in making value-added products, home decor, and furniture.
3. It plays an important part in balancing oxygen and carbon dioxide -
Bamboo is a crucial plant that plays a significant role in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It produces 30% more oxygen than other trees. It also absorbs carbon dioxide five times more than the other trees.
4. It is super strong (yes, it has survived earthquakes and atomic bombings) -
Bamboo is the most robust plant in the world. The tensile strength of bamboo is more than that of steel. That is why bamboo is used as a major constructive material in calamity-prone zones. In fact, bamboo was the first plant to re-sprout after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Bamboo survived the strong radiation, and it started to grow normally in a short time. Likewise, bamboo housing in Costa Rica survived a 7.5 Richter scale earthquake.
5. It is highly versatile -
Bamboo is one of the most versatile materials that can be used to make various products. It grows easily in a wide variety of climates and soil conditions. It doesn't demand too many precious resources like water or other supplements to grow. Bamboo can be used for construction, medicine, clothing, decor, crafts and food.
6. It is edible and has medicinal value -
We all might be aware that Panda's favourite food is bamboo, but did you know it is edible for humans too? In Asian cuisine, bamboo shoots are added to fries and curries. Bamboo leaf extracts are used as medicines in China. It is mostly used as a medicine for treating cold and flu symptoms.
7. It is naturally antifungal and antibacterial -
Bamboo has a naturally occurring bioagent that helps it to fight fungus and bacteria on its own. And this is the reason why bamboo can be grown naturally with minimal fertilizers or pesticides. That is why bamboo products don't need much maintenance, like regular painting or finishing (varnishing) with chemicals.
8. Bamboo houses accommodate one billion people -
It is estimated that nearly one million people worldwide live in bamboo housing. With bamboo as the primary construction material, houses can be economically built. And its strength makes it the best material for constructing buildings in coastal and calamity-prone areas.
9. It is a soil conservation tool -
Bamboo is one of the best soil conservation tools. It has the ability to reduce soil erosion with a sum of stem flow rate and canopy intercept of 25%. So it can drastically reduce soil erosion due to rain or floods.
10. It is the best option for Agroforestry production -
The advantage of bamboo in agroforestry production is its short time between planting and harvesting. It only takes 3-5 years for the harvest time and has high ecological adaptability, unlike other trees, which require nearly 25-30 years to mature completely.
11. Bamboo slows the water flow -
Bamboo roots are immensely dense, and it acts as a water barrier. Many coastal villages use bamboo to protect their crops from being washed out of backwater or rising water tables.
12. It is naturally fire-proof -
Bamboo is naturally fire-proof as it contains a large quantity of silicate acid. This makes bamboo the best crop choice for fire-prone or wildfire-prone regions.
Benefits of using bamboo products
The benefits of bamboo products don't end with their sustainability and eco-friendliness. Using bamboo products has many advantages, and we have listed a few below.
- Bamboo products are durable and stay unshaken even in rough and tough situations. Unlike hardwoods, bamboo doesn't have wear and tear issues. The tensile strength of bamboo is equivalent to the strength of steel.
- Bamboo products can be compared to most premium materials available today. Bamboo products are becoming increasingly affordable, from flooring and decor to furniture and toiletries.
- Bamboo products are great for refurbishing old items.
- Bamboo products can be scraped as they are 100% biodegradable.
- Bamboo products are of low maintenance. Bamboo has an antifungal and antibacterial innate nature, so it doesn't need any chemical finishing.
Summing Up
There are numerous amazing facts about Bamboo. When it is harvested and made into products, the benefits of bamboo get further enhanced. Bamboo is not only eco-friendly and sustainable but also sturdy, durable, versatile and most importantly, safe and attractive.
Woody Grass is a bamboo-centric platform that celebrates sustainability and green living with a wide range of products, including furniture, garden accessories, lamps and lights, home decor products, organisers and toiletries. We aim to build a future driven by alternative solutions and sustainable choices.