Bamboo Plants vs. Bamboo Fabrics

November 3, 2009

I wore my bamboo shirt to work today. The cooler fall weather is setting in, and this long sleeved garment is light weight, soft and just warm enough for the transition between summer and winter. And it’s soft. Reallllly soft! But is it eco-friendly?

Being eco-friendly was not one of the criteria I was shopping for last fall when I bought this shirt. It was soft, comfortable, fairly fashionable, and not terribly expensive. Bingo! An instant winner in the shopping lotto! And, I admit, the fact that it was made from bamboo did intrigue me. I liked that it was potentially earth friendly, but I wondered about what type of processing was required to change it from a simple stalk into the soft, supple material I had in mine hands.

Bamboo has enjoyed a reputation as an extremely eco-friendly fabric. Better, some have said, than organic cotton.
Here’s some good stuff  to know about bamboo:
• It is a rapidly renewable resource; its good for the soil it grows in, and doesn’t require powerful chemicals and insecticides to grow.
• It’s not smelly! Bamboo has an inherently anti-bacterial agent in it called “kun”. That means its odor-resistant and won’t irritate your skin.
• It’s natural wicking ability keeps you dry; as well as cooler in summer, and warmer in winter.
• Did I mention its super soft!
• Bamboo clothing is wrinkle resistant and easy to care for.
• Bamboo plants clean the air. Bamboo produces more oxygen than trees due to the dense nature of the forests.

But, lately bamboo’s sterling reputation has become tarnished around the edges. This past August, the FTC issued a consumer alert concerning bamboo fabrics. It’s pretty easy, it seems, for companies to greenwash where bamboo is concerned and many companies are not holding back.
Here’ a few reasons to give bamboo fabric a second thought:
• Due to the most commonly used treatments used to process bamboo into fabric, the final product is not actually considered bamboo anymore. Surprise… it’s RAYON!
• Even when bamboo is the “plant source” used to create the rayon, the processing is so harsh that no traits of the original plant are left in the final product. In other words, it is not biodegradable and it is questionable as to whether it is still holds any of its original anti-bacterial properties. The Council of Fashion Designers of America even suggested that fashion designers should avoid bamboo, if their intention is to produce a greener garment.
• Much of the harsh chemical processing of bamboo fiber takes place in countries outside of the US, where pollution control is not nearly as stringent. Workers are exposed to harsh chemicals and  toxic waste is much more apt to run into streams and rivers.

So, what are we to think of bamboo? Honestly, I don’t know.
Basically, bamboo plants are good for the planet. Currently, bamboo fabric is not. Unfortunately, bamboo is easily greenwashed and many people and companies have bought into the myth of eco-friendly bamboo. I  have seen some beautiful hand-made items being constructed from bamboo by artists who are not aware of the toll the processing takes on the planet. I think the jury is still out on whether or not bamboo can be a sustainable choice for the future. It’s a good idea if you’re buying bamboo clothing to have faith in the company you are purchasing from. New processes are being developed and some companies use more labor intensive processes to produce a kinder product. Hint: let price be your guide.

As for me… I think I’ll keep wearing my really soft bamboo shirt and just refrain from buying another one for awhile. Greener… One small step at a time.

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Tags: bamboo, fashion, green living