What is Bamboo? I mean, sure, it's a plant. But why is it so good for the environment? Well, with a quick wiki search, you will learn that it is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. The quickest tree can take ten years to grow to around 25 feet. Meanwhile, some bamboo plants can grow 36 inches or 9.1 cm each day. This means that after a single week, a bamboo plant can grow to 21 feet, which is almost equivalent to how tall the quickest tree would be after ten years. Trees are constantly being cut down and used but they do not grow fast enough to be replaced. Fortunately, bamboo is the solution to this problem.
Bamboo is a sustainable source because of its ability to grow so quickly. You can chop it in half each day and it'll just keep growing in size. You won't be damaging the Earth by cutting it. In fact it needs get cut to continue thriving. Please keep in mind that the idea is not to replace everything you currently have with bamboo, but to gradually purchase things that you need with bamboo when you need them and to continue doing so going forward. We have to reduce our consumption. So, what can you get that's bamboo?
Bamboo toothbrushes
This is one of the easiest switches that you can make. Bamboo toothbrushes can be found at almost every pharmacy as well as health stores and some clothing stores. They are approximately the same price as plastic tooth brushes (sometimes less!) but are clearly the more sustainable choice. Next time you buy a toothbrush (hopefully you are doing this at least once a year), look for the bamboo option and buy it instead, then continue to do this each time. The bamboo toothbrush industry is getting bigger and bigger, as Colgate is set to be releasing a brand this year.
The best part about using bamboo products is when you're done with them, you can put them in the compost bin and they will decompose relatively quickly (unlike plastic). You can even get a bamboo toothbrush holder for when you travel or sleep somewhere else.
Bamboo straws, utensils, toothpicks, cutting boards, dishes, etc.
An interesting option to replace plastic straws, are bamboo ones. They sell straws and utensils at Simons. The combined package comes in a cute little bag that you can transport with you on the go (e.g., bringing your lunch to work or school). You can even find some interesting options at the Dollarama, Linen Chest or even Canadian Tire; they have so many items like toothpicks, cutting boards, large spoons and ladles.
You can also get plates and bowls that are made of bamboo. Check out Ikea or Marche Tau. There are many kitchen stores that offer these products if you look out for them. For example, Stokes has some cool items including plates and a bamboo steamer.
Bamboo makeup removing pads and hairbrushes
For anyone who wears makeup, when you remove it you can use these pads. The best part about them is they are reusable! You can wash them and keep reusing them, instead of buying disposable ones that end up in landfills. On top of that, a part of the sales from the specific one I mentioned go to an organization that plants trees. Also, you can get a bamboo hairbrush here.
Bamboo furniture
You might be surprised to realize that you already own some bamboo furniture, as it is a quite common material to use. If you don't, next time you're looking to buy something new, consider bamboo. You can get a bamboo office desk, shelves, chairs, boxes, cabinets, tables, etc. The best place to get these things would be Ikea. Even if the material is partly bamboo and partly something else, that is still a better choice than buying wood or plastic materials.
Bamboo mattress and bed sheets
This might come as a surprise to you, but bamboo can even be converted into mattresses and bed sheets. The fibers found in bamboo are strong enough to turn into other things when combined with other materials. Check it out next time you decide to switch mattress or bedding.
Bamboo clothes!?
Yes, that's right! There's already a handful of clothing items that are made from bamboo including socks and underwear. I have bought socks from Ardene and they now sell SHOES made with bamboo rayon, too. Simons also offers a wide array of underwear, for both men and women.
As you can see, there are many many products that we can buy the bamboo version of! Even more exist, so please consider it next time you need something.
By: Bianca Deltorto-Russell
Bamboo is a sustainable source because of its ability to grow so quickly. You can chop it in half each day and it'll just keep growing in size. You won't be damaging the Earth by cutting it. In fact it needs get cut to continue thriving. Please keep in mind that the idea is not to replace everything you currently have with bamboo, but to gradually purchase things that you need with bamboo when you need them and to continue doing so going forward. We have to reduce our consumption. So, what can you get that's bamboo?
Bamboo toothbrushes
This is one of the easiest switches that you can make. Bamboo toothbrushes can be found at almost every pharmacy as well as health stores and some clothing stores. They are approximately the same price as plastic tooth brushes (sometimes less!) but are clearly the more sustainable choice. Next time you buy a toothbrush (hopefully you are doing this at least once a year), look for the bamboo option and buy it instead, then continue to do this each time. The bamboo toothbrush industry is getting bigger and bigger, as Colgate is set to be releasing a brand this year.
The best part about using bamboo products is when you're done with them, you can put them in the compost bin and they will decompose relatively quickly (unlike plastic). You can even get a bamboo toothbrush holder for when you travel or sleep somewhere else.
Bamboo straws, utensils, toothpicks, cutting boards, dishes, etc.
An interesting option to replace plastic straws, are bamboo ones. They sell straws and utensils at Simons. The combined package comes in a cute little bag that you can transport with you on the go (e.g., bringing your lunch to work or school). You can even find some interesting options at the Dollarama, Linen Chest or even Canadian Tire; they have so many items like toothpicks, cutting boards, large spoons and ladles.
You can also get plates and bowls that are made of bamboo. Check out Ikea or Marche Tau. There are many kitchen stores that offer these products if you look out for them. For example, Stokes has some cool items including plates and a bamboo steamer.
Bamboo makeup removing pads and hairbrushes
For anyone who wears makeup, when you remove it you can use these pads. The best part about them is they are reusable! You can wash them and keep reusing them, instead of buying disposable ones that end up in landfills. On top of that, a part of the sales from the specific one I mentioned go to an organization that plants trees. Also, you can get a bamboo hairbrush here.
Bamboo furniture
You might be surprised to realize that you already own some bamboo furniture, as it is a quite common material to use. If you don't, next time you're looking to buy something new, consider bamboo. You can get a bamboo office desk, shelves, chairs, boxes, cabinets, tables, etc. The best place to get these things would be Ikea. Even if the material is partly bamboo and partly something else, that is still a better choice than buying wood or plastic materials.
Bamboo mattress and bed sheets
This might come as a surprise to you, but bamboo can even be converted into mattresses and bed sheets. The fibers found in bamboo are strong enough to turn into other things when combined with other materials. Check it out next time you decide to switch mattress or bedding.
Bamboo clothes!?
Yes, that's right! There's already a handful of clothing items that are made from bamboo including socks and underwear. I have bought socks from Ardene and they now sell SHOES made with bamboo rayon, too. Simons also offers a wide array of underwear, for both men and women.
As you can see, there are many many products that we can buy the bamboo version of! Even more exist, so please consider it next time you need something.
By: Bianca Deltorto-Russell
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