Being one of India’s most valuable resources and given the vast diversity in its applicability. Bamboo products have enormous scope for improvement of rural and tribal as well as urban livelihoods. It is among the foremost necessary resources to be leveraged towards the alleviation of rural poverty, empowerment of women, and environmental rejuvenation.
Call it green gold or nature’s band-aid, bamboo is a nice defender of the earth’s health and wealth. It is a crucial component in maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the atmosphere as carbon gets trapped inside its forests, therefore reducing carbon dioxide gases. It conjointly lowers the intensity of sunshine and protects us from harmful ultra-violet rays.
5 Bamboo products you must have
1. House flooring
Recent years have seen growth in demand for bamboo flooring, due to their resemblance with the hard-wooden flooring. This flooring has an exotic look as well and have high strength, high durability, is eco-friendly and its typical nature helps resist insects and moisture.
Why use these flooring?
- The flooring made from un-carbonized Bamboo is of high quality and more durable than the typical flooring.
- It is the most stylish and exotic looking flooring to date.
- The flooring is available in numerous styles and colors
- It is easy to maintain as it can be easily cleaned with soap and a mop
- After an exhaustive use, the flooring can lose its color, can be dented or scratched, but it can be refinished multiple times according to your needs.
Cost comparison
The price of wooden flooring ranges from Rs 150- Rs 400 per square foot. But will have no variety to choose from. Whereas with vivid styles to choose from, the per square foot price of bamboo flooring is Rs 390. For people who believe in superstitions, Bamboo is considered a good luck charm and a very positive element for the house.
2. Bottle
In India, Bamboo bottles came into use in 2019 when as Assamese entrepreneur manufactured the first 100% leak proof water bottle to replace the existing plastic bottles. The bottles are made in a completely organic way. While manufacturing, instead of bleaching powder and other chemicals usually used to treat bamboo, it uses neem, turmeric and other herbal items to treat the product.
Why use these bottles?
The significant advantage of the bottle is that it is degradable compared to the plastic bottles which remain on the earth’s surface for decades, impacting the land cultivation. Apart from biodegradability, these bottles are 100% leak-proof’, which is one of the prominent properties everyone needs in a bottle.
Did you know?
The bottles are entirely organic and made from durable Bamboo. The outer layer of the bottles is polished with a waterproof oil polish to give it a shiny look.
Cost comparison
A typical water bottle made from plastic costs in the range of Rs 300 to 500 depending on the quality and brand of the bottle. The bamboo water bottle currently costs Rs 560.
3. Toothbrush
In the United States alone it is estimated that between 850 million, and over a billion toothbrushes, representing more than 50 million pounds of waste, are discarded and end up in land fills every single year.” (Source: Eco Planet Bamboo). Just imagine the impact of it on the environment.
Bamboo toothbrushes are similar to any other manual toothbrush you would find in the market. The main difference lies in the material used to make them. Many people are not aware that bamboo toothbrushes are among the oldest types of toothbrushes.
Why use these toothbrushes?
There are many reasons why using this toothbrush is smarter than using plastic or even wooden brushes.
- The first reason being these toothbrushes are biodegradable.
- It impacts the Environment in a very positive way.
- The handle of the brush could be used as compost after you are ready to throw the brush.
Cost comparison
The price of a regular toothbrush is around Rs 35. The price of a bamboo toothbrush is Rs 70. Bamboo toothbrush is a must-have product with the advantages it has over the plastic/wooden toothbrush.
4. Straws
A recent article estimated that nearly 500 million disposable plastic straws are tossed into landfills every year. This will have a devastating impact shortly. There are now many reusable drinking straw options in the market varying in price, with the alternatives being metal, silicone, and Bamboo.
Why use these straws?
- These straws can be used and reused multiple times and can last for years, depending on your usage. The straws are adaptable in both hot as well as cold beverages and works fine.
- Bamboo fibers have natural antimicrobial properties that means they’re less doubtless to harbor bacteria over time and be more resistant to spoiling or decaying.
- When you decide to throw the straw cut the straw and spread it across a garden or barren land, they will degrade within 4-6 months.
- The straws do not alter the taste of the drink irrespective of the drink being hot or cold.
Cost comparison
A bamboo straw costs Rs 50/straw. The price is affordable, and knowing the fact it can last for a year, even more, purchasing a bamboo straw is a good idea.
5. Toilet paper
A perfect replacement of the toilet paper made from tree pulp is the Bamboo made toilet paper. The natural properties of the bamboo tree make the paper stronger when compared to the hardwood. Not only is it more durable, but at the same time is also softer comparably.
Why use these toilet papers?
The traditional toilet paper wipes out 27,000 trees in just one day of production. This has a massive impact on the Environment as deforestation plays a significant part in Global warming.
Cost comparison
A typical toilet paper roll costs Rs 65/roll, whereas a bamboo toilet paper roll costs Rs 33/roll.
Cheaper, Environment-friendly, durable, and soft these toilet papers will dominate the market over the coming years.
4 unique products made from Bamboo
1. Home decor
a. Decorative panels and screens
Use the hollow sticks as a floor-to-wall divider between 2 rooms to give it a historical touch. These are long, thick and can withstand an enormous amount of pressure when put together.
b. Accessories
Bamboo can be used in decorating your dining hall, living room as well as the bedroom.
2. Toothbrush holder sets
These are made with high-quality Bamboo and some stainless steel, making the product acid-resistant, corrosion-resistant, durable, and safe to use.
3. Calculator
The calculator has an ergonomic design, easy buttons, wide keyboard with raised keys, and increased pressure sensitivity. It is a perfect replacement for a traditional calculator.
4. Sunglasses
These are handmade sunglasses, the arms made with premium quality bamboo making it truly unique.
Conclusion
Bamboo products are unique, durable, and at times cheaper than the plastic/wooden products we use daily. Being a lot more environmental friendly, Bamboo is the best material to replace plastic, which is hazardous to our Environment.
In the near future their are a significant chances of the plastic and wooden products being discarded and eco-friendly products like those mentioned above would come and replace them for a lifetime.