Could bamboo products replace plastic?

Taking care of our planet is a big responsibility, one that many businesses are now stepping up to. Reviewing production processes is a key place to start, with a view to preventing the depletion of the world’s natural resources and limiting our exposure to harmful toxins. With this in mind, bamboo has been a game-changer in the textile industry. The highly renewable plant creates a versatile, luxurious fabric that has replaced much of the plastic we find in our home products – allowing consumers to embrace sustainable living without compromising on comfort. Why does this matter? Let’s take a look.

How is plastic pollution affecting our environment?

Plastic pollution is one of our most crucial climate problems, with the rate of production of plastic products increasing at such a rate, it has become impossible to deal with. While plastics have provided us with many benefits and advancements in modern life, from life-saving medical devices to products we enjoy daily, all of this has come with a cost to the environment. Many plastics rely on ‘dirty fuels’ such as gas and oil, which cause pollution and spread toxins. The biggest problem with plastic is that it sticks around! It takes a very long time to break down, during which it threatens wildlife, causes pollution and majorly contributes to global warming.

With the production of plastic expected to double by 2050, this is a situation that needs immediate attention. Recycling of plastic products is low, with many of the substances ending up in our rivers, oceans and even our food chain. Food for thought, indeed. The question is, what alternatives are there to the use of plastic? This is where naturally biodegradable and pretty wonderful bamboo can help mitigate some of the damage and help to protect our planet.

What are the benefits of bamboo v plastic products?

Before we jump into what products bamboo can replace – and some of them might surprise you – here are some of the biggest benefits of doing so and why bamboo has been hailed the ‘green gold’ of the 21st century…

Highly Renewable

Bamboo can grow up to 4ft a day, relying on little more than sunshine and water. The sturdy plant can survive the harshest of temperatures, although it prefers the tropics growing mainly in Asia and warmer climates. When it’s cut down, it simply grows right back! The production process of bamboo from plant to fabric or construction material is far more sustainable and planet friendly than that of plastic, with few chemicals and toxins used in the process.

Incredibly versatile and durable

Just like plastic, bamboo is incredibly versatile. Bamboo is so many things in one fabric, strong and durable yet soft and fluffy – this allows it to be weaved and shaped into many of our most loved products. When you choose bamboo products, you are choosing a product with a long life span, decreasing the rate of disposal, which has a big impact on our planet. Plus, bamboo is naturally biodegradable, so when it is recycled, it is quickly broken down back into the earth.

Natural benefits

From being naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial to its thermoregulating and absorbent properties, bamboo hosts a whole load of natural goodness which it brings to our household products. Snuggling up to bamboo bedding is kind to your skin, sleep and our environment, with the indulgent fabric keeping bedtime comfy and fresh (and bathtime fluffy and dry) for years.

Breath of fresh air

Bamboo is oxygenic – and the plants produce around 35% more than other plants, making them a breath of fresh air for the environment. Bamboo brings a whole host of natural benefits back into our environment whilst being fairly inexpensive to produce, due to the accessibility and the quick growth rate of the super, sustainable resource.

What products can bamboo replace?

Wondering which of your products bamboo can replace? A lot! Here are some of our most used essentials that you can choose from morning to bedtime.

The morning routine

Give your morning a planet-friendly boost by switching your toothbrush to a bamboo one. With toothbrushes being one of the items we replace regularly (dentist’s orders) choosing a bamboo toothbrush can help reduce waste. Your hairbrush can also be replaced with a bamboo alternative – the sturdy resource is far better for the environment than single-use plastics and will keep your locks looking beautiful.

Dinner

From cutlery to plates, bamboo can replace many of your cooking essentials. Not only are they far more durable, but they also degrade far more quickly than single-use plastic when thrown away and will keep your partying and dinner time planet-friendly. You can even cook with bamboo, as it’s high in protein and tastes pretty nice too!

Bedtime

Our favourite time of day… Bamboo products will make bedtime feel perfect for years. Our soft, smooth, thermoregulating bedding is the most planet-friendly fabric to get wrapped up in. The production process has minimal effect on our environment, and when you shop with Panda, you can rest assured the planet is taken care of from forest to front door. Another reason to stay snoozing soundly.

What’s the biggest challenge to embracing bamboo products?

Awareness is one of the key challenges to embracing bamboo products as a replacement for plastic. While businesses can play a big part in this by reviewing and improving the production process, this is something we can all help with. The more we consider the impact of the materials we use on our environment and make small efforts to become more sustainable, the better we can protect our Earth. By spreading your knowledge, choosing green products and working towards an eco-friendly lifestyle, it is amazing what we can achieve together.

The natural conclusion

Bamboo products are a wonderfully natural and easy way to help protect our environment. From soft-bristled toothbrushes to soft, fluffy duvets, bamboo products come with a host of benefits for you and the planet. Remember, it is still important to recycle and be conscious about the full life cycle of our products. When it comes to going green, every little helps – and together, we can make a big difference.