Here’s something you might not have known: 18 September is World Bamboo Day. There are many who celebrate this amazing plant every single day – pandas and Hong Kong construction workers, for starters! Bamboo can have so many different uses, from a food source to an ideal material for scaffolding and much, much more. To commemorate the special day, we asked the team from HK’s first bamboo home and lifestyle brand, Bamboa, to tell us more about bamboo’s brilliance!
Top 10 bamboo facts
- Bamboo is a grass, not a tree.
- It’s the fastest growing plant on land. Some species can grow as much as one metre in 24 hours!
- Bamboo grows on every continent save for Antarctica; worldwide, there are approximately 1,500 species of bamboo.
- It takes just 5 years for a bamboo plant to reach full maturity, compared to 30 to 40 years
for trees. - It needs no chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers or watering to grow.
- Bamboo absorbs more carbon dioxide and releases 35% more oxygen than trees.
- Bamboo has an extensive root system that helps restore degraded land, prevent flooding and landslides. It can improve soil quality and regulate water flow to decrease soil erosion.
- It can replace fossil fuels; when changed into pellets or gas it can provide heat and electricity.
- Bamboo fabric is naturally antibacterial. It contains bamboo “kun”, an anti-bacterial substance that protects the fabric against insects, fungus and bacteria.
- There are over 10,000 documented uses for bamboo. Harvesting bamboo and the production of bamboo products provides vital income for local families in under resourced communities.
Other benefits of bamboo
You’ll often find dining ware, desk accessories, water bottles and furniture made from bamboo. Did you know, though, that you can get bedding, towels, and clothing also made from bamboo? These items are all made from bamboo fibre, which is known for its soft and silky feel and durability.
So why should you switch to bamboo? For starters, products made from bamboo fibre are great for those with sensitive skin because they’re hypoallergenic. What’s more, it really is the perfect fabric for the hot and humid Hong Kong climate. Ever found your cotton sheets, towels and t-shirts damp, mouldy and smelly in the summer heat? It doesn’t happen with bamboo! Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and odour resistant, so you’ll stay fresh longer. It’s also three times more absorbent than cotton and wicks away moisture like a dream. Better yet, bamboo fibre is thermoregulating, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
According to the Bamboa team, bamboo fibre is one of the most eco-friendly fabrics on the planet. “We use a process called Lyocell to create our fabrics,” they say. “This is the latest and most environmental production process; it doesn’t use any toxic substances or chlorine containing bleach; plus, 98% of the water used for production is recycled in a closed loop system.”
Not only is bamboo fibre a luxurious fabric that’s durable and easy to care for. After you’ve enjoyed your sheets, towels and tees for a good long while, these items will biodegrade back into the earth, returning to nature. What could be better for your body or for the earth?
Where to buy bamboo products
If you’re keen to celebrate World Bamboo Day by buying some products made from ’boo, take a look at the sustainably luxurious products on offer at Bamboa.
There’s another good reason to, as well. In honour of World Bamboo Day in 2020, Bamboa launched the Grow Bamboo Initiative (GBI). A portion of proceeds from sales support GBI’s mission to promote bamboo plantation globally, fight climate change and empower under resourced communities. Last year, they planted a hectare of bamboo in a district of Nepal, and they plan to do the same every year on World Bamboo Day.
Look out for the new Bamboa Home boutique at The Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental from September.
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