Eco-Friendly Products

Ok, so Bamboo PC's were just gimmicks. A laptop version of the bamboo PC was released at the Hanover computer fair last March. The laptop features a laminated bamboo casing which surrounds a rather basic computer, that alone won't make much of a dent in the amount of plastics around the world.

But it was a little demonstration of what can be done, and, if proof of bamboo's versatility were required, consider it proven.

Surely bamboo must be the only plant that is a source of building materials, clothing and food. One of Edison's early light bulbs had a carbonised bamboo filament. Its strength, resilience and cheapness make it a widely used scaffolding material throughout Asia. The fibres of bamboo poles have high strength both in tension and compression. Its compressive strength is roughly twice that of concrete and bamboo has roughly the same tensile strength to weight ratio as steel. And now there's a bamboo laptop!

Products made of bamboo ticks most boxes for anyone buying green home furnishings. To start with, it's hightly sustainable. Some bamboo species are able to grow more than one metre every day. Local people are able to cut down as much bamboo as they need for carving or weaving and still have the same amount growing as they did before they cut some down. As for the global warming problem, because bamboo is a plant, all products made out of the sustainable material contains a large amount of atmospheric carbon. Any plastic equivalent has added to the atmosphere's carbon level!

Another point is that because bamboo is a plant source, there are many variations between two plants, these variations make it a difficult material to use in a mass production process. What this means is that you can be almost positive that a skilled craftsman has built the bamboo product you buy. If you go to a reputable source you'll also know that the craftsman got a fair wage for his or her work, and that no one was exploited by western buying power. Finally you'll be sure that the product you buy hasn't accumulated air miles in its journey from craftsman to your home.

With such strong eco credentials, it's amazing that bamboo products are so beautiful. Picture a skilfully made bamboo box, lovingly lacquered with 15 layers of natural shellac. All natural, and really lovely. In the last few days, I picked up a beautifully hand-crafted bamboo knife block and am now seriously considering investing in some other bamboo kitchen accessories like salad bowls. Stylish and ethical. Win.