Bamboo is a grass that grows from its roots; when cut, it quickly regrows, with most species maturing in 3-5 years. This amazing plant grows in both tropical and temperate environments and is extremely hardy, needing no pesticides or herbicides to grow.
Some facts about the sustainability of bamboo are:
It requires no pesticides or chemical fertilisers
It grows rapidly and can be harvested in 3-5 years
It rarely needs replanting
It produces more oxygen than trees
It plays an important role in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
It sequesters carbon dioxide and is carbon neutral
It requires no irrigation
It is excellent for inhibiting soil erosion
It grows in a wide range of environments
Its production into fibres has lower environmental impact than other forms of fibre, especially synthetic ones.
The uses of bamboo :
1.Houses, schools and other buildings
Over one billion people worldwide now live in bamboo houses. UNESCO estimates that 70 hectares of bamboo produce enough material to build 1000 houses. If timber was used instead, it might necessitate the felling of trees from an already diminished forest.
2.Roads and bridges
It is used in road reinforcements in India, as well as bridge construction in China, and can support trucks weighing up to 16 tonnes.
3.MedicinesIngredients from the black bamboo shoot are used to treat kidney diseases in China. The roots and leaves of this plant have also been used to treat venereal disease and cancer. According to reports from a small village in Indonesia, water from the culm (the side branches) is used to effectively treat bone diseases.
4.ClothesIt's the new hemp; it can be made into a strong and durable fabric similar to canvas, and it can be used to make all kinds of clothes. Furthermore, bamboo fabric is breathable, thermal regulating, wicks moisture better than polyester performance fabrics, resists odour, is absorbent and fast drying, and keeps you dryer and more comfortable than cotton or polyester fabrics. But beware: it is also transformed into Rayon via an unsustainable chemical process.
5.Accessories
It is also used in the manufacturing of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other types of jewellery.
6.Food
Shoots are mainly used in Asian cuisine. In Japan, the antioxidant properties of bamboo skin are used to prevent bacterial growth and as natural food preservatives.
7.Fuel
In China and Japan, charcoal made from this amazing plant has been used for centuries as a cooking fuel. When making charcoal, bamboo vinegar or pyroligneous acid is extracted and used for hundreds of treatments in almost every field. This liquid contains 400 different chemical compounds and can be used for a variety of applications such as cosmetics, insecticides, deodorants, food processing, and agriculture.
8.PaperPulps are primarily manufactured in China, Myanmar, Thailand, and India and are used in the production of printing and writing papers.
9.Scaffolding
It is frequently used for scaffolding because it is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective resource. Bamboo scaffolding is preferred over metal scaffolding in Hong Kong because it is more readily available and less expensive.
10.Utensils and tableware
This incredibly versatile material can be used to make cups and saucers, spoons and ladles.Such a useful bamboo can be used to build an oxygen park, and the Digipe foundation is leading the way in creating oxygenparks. With the help of local landowners and farmer communities, with Project Sanjeevani we are establishing Oxygen Parks across the country.You can also contribute to this incredible initiative right now by donating.In India, we can achieve carbon neutrality if each of us plants 5 bamboo trees.Today, go to www.digipefoundation.com to start making the Earth a more beautiful and environmentally friendly place to live!