Sustainability has become the buzzword today. With the threat of Climate Change looming, it has become imperative that we turn our attention to a sustainable way of living. Brundtland Commission Report, 1987, defines sustainable development as the development that meets the need of present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs.

Although going green is not easy but it is definitely not impossible. Small changes in our day to day lifestyle can be a step in this direction. Bamboo is one of those plants that is eco-friendly and perfectly stands out on our criteria for sustainability.

These compelling features of bamboo makes it the perfect choice for biocentrists! So, let us explore 10 bamboo products that will help to GO GREEN.

Bamboo products on your path to Sustainability

1. Bamboo toilet paper

The average consumption of toilet paper, at present, across the world is about 20,000 sheets or 100 rolls every year. While toilet paper production per day stands at about 84 million rolls. This is enough to give you an idea of the magnitude of its usage. Moreover, it also clearly underlines how much we could save the environment if switch to bamboo made toilet paper. Apart from avoiding deforestation and saving water, it will also go a long way in reducing carbon emissions. This could be really a game changer and save us from some of the worst aspects of climate change.

2. Bamboo Cutlery

Bamboo cutlery is long-lasting, durable, and reusable. It is the perfect choice for the environment enthusiasts. It comes packed with an all – natural, vegan, and food safe finish. Fun fact : You can carry it around in your bag, because it is extremely light weight, and rinse it with clean water after use.

3. Bamboo Speakers

Doesn’t it sound interesting? After all, who believed that bamboo could actually be used to make speakers. Since electrical products are hard to recycle, bamboo speaker is a promising , environmental friendly alternative. If you really wish to reduce your carbon footprint opt for these bamboo speakers. Plus point, they can be easily recycled at the end of their life.

4. Bamboo towels

Bamboo plant has been used for centuries to make fabrics. And bamboo towels are the best innovation in this area. Along with softness, they are really absorbent, and last for years. Need I say more?

5. Bamboo Bottles

Bamboo bottles here are 140 million plastic bottles being sent to landfills in the US every day. That doesn’t even account for those bottles that end up littering our oceans or green spaces. As part of an effort to combat this problem, more people are seeking a reusable bottle for their drinks; this is where bamboo water bottles come in. They’ll keep your drink cool, they’re tough enough to survive being dropped during a run, and they look awesome too.

6. Bamboo solar battery

There are so many people who can’t stand going off-grid nowadays, with 90% of Americans reporting that they suffer from some symptoms of Low Battery Anxiety. Beat this fear without harming the environment by investing in a solar-powered battery charger made from bamboo. It’s double the eco-friendliness in just one product. Don’t worry, it’s also really gentle. That’s hardly the area where you want to skimp on softness, is it?

7.     Bamboo floors

Source: Ambient Bamboo

More people than ever are choosing to install bamboo floors in their houses because it satisfies the three Bs: Beauty, Brawn, and Brains. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a more detailed look.

Beautiful bamboo floors

Bamboo flooring can suit any design scheme, so no matter what your décor, you can have a bamboo floor to match. If you have a more natural look to your home, then you can choose thick bamboo planks in their natural state. Or if your home has a rustic vibe, you could select planks with a darker varnish and a more textured finish. Even modern homes can enjoy the many benefits of bamboo floors. Beautiful, whitewashed planks, like Rustic Ivory Whitewashed Bamboo Hardwood Flooring, will brighten any room and bring new life to dark furniture.

Strong bamboo floors

Bamboo floors are one of the toughest floors around. Strand woven bamboo flooring, which is created by applying pressure and heat to bamboo strands, clocks in at a massive 3,000 on the Janka hardness scale, beating out all hardwoods. Even solid or engineered bamboo floors still rank above most hardwood floors. Solid bamboo planks are three times stronger than oak and will stand up to a lifetime of family drama, from foot-stomping to full-on temper tantrums. And that’s just from the adults.

Bamboo floors: the smart choice

Okay, so for all their positives, bamboo floors can’t think for themselves… as far as we know. However, they are the intelligent choice for anyone who wants to protect the environment when making improvements to their home. There are many ways that bamboo flooring is eco-friendly and, therefore, a great green investment for your home, especially compared to hardwood floors. Let’s look at just a few.

• Bamboo flooring doesn’t affect panda’s diets: Everyone knows that pandas eat mainly bamboo, so you might worry that you are starving some poor panda bear by installing bamboo floors. Luckily, pandas don’t actually eat Moso bamboo, which is the only type suitable for making flooring, so you can relax.
• Bamboo floors are more durable: As noted above, bamboo flooring bests hardwoods on the Janka hardness scale and is much more durable. It will last longer before needing refinishing or replacing and use fewer resources over the same period of time.
• Bamboo requires less transport: While many hardwood trees grow in the US, the company which owns them will often send them to China (or elsewhere in Asia) for manufacturing before shipping them back to America. It’s somehow cheaper to do that even if it costs the earth. Bamboo, on the other hand, is grown and manufactured in China and only has to take a one-way trip to your front door.

8.     Bamboo computer accessories

If you’re using a desktop computer, you’ve probably already experienced your keyboard buttons popping off as you type, or the plastic casing of your mouse breaking and letting the ball escape. Did you know you can actually switch out that set for a hand-carved bamboo alternative? Since bamboo is so durable, the keys will stand up to even the most prolific typists, and the mouse won’t crack apart like plastic. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it’s completely biodegradable at the end of its lifetime.

9.     Bamboo straws

Disposable plastic drinking straws are a scourge on the modern environment with Americans using an estimated 500 million of the things per day. Worse, there’s no way to recycle them. Many even wind up in the oceans where they can do untold harm to marine life. It’s time to declare war on straws and opt for bamboo ones that are easy to keep in your bag or your kitchen drawer. Also, thanks to bamboo’s antibacterial qualities, you can feel safe using them for all your smoothies, sodas, and soy milkshakes.

10.  Bamboo skateboards

Most good quality skateboards are often made from Canadian Maple trees and are a huge contributor to deforestation there. Eco-conscious skateboarders and everyone who likes maple syrup on their pancakes (so, basically everyone) wants to put a stop to this. They’ve turned to bamboo skateboards that are better for the environment, without compromising on quality.

11.  Bamboo Sunglasses

Proper sunglasses are essential to protecting your eyes during summer. The problem is that the plastic variety breaks super easily in your bag or suitcase, meaning you have no choice but to trash them. Make a change this summer by opting for bamboo frames that are kind to your eyes and the environment.

12.  Bamboo Toothbrushes

There are two billion plastic toothbrushes ending up in landfills every year, but it’s not like you can give up brushing your teeth (gross!) or use it for longer than the recommended three months. Enter bamboo toothbrushes, which are designed with recyclable BPA-free bristles, a biodegradable handle, and compostable packaging.

13.  Bamboo pet collars

These make a great green alternative to leather or plastic collars. Not only will they do the same job as a regular collar, but because they’re made from bamboo they’ll also be:

• Odor resistant
• Antibacterial
• Biodegradable

It’s great for those concerned about their carbon pawprint.

Be greener every day

Using these incredible bamboo products and skipping products made from less sustainable sources is a small way to be more earth kind this year. However, we can all take small steps to be more eco-friendly in our home lives, like not leaving our laptops plugged in, taking shorter showers, and everything mentioned in the video below.

If you want to make your area greener, get involved with your local environmental group. They’ll already know the problems (i.e. not having sufficient recycling locations, illegal dumping, air pollution) and be working to solve them. Another important thing to do is contact your local elected official about these problems and ask them what they’ll do about it. Now it’s up to you at home. How are you making your home (or local area) greener? Let us know that and more in the comments below.