Bamboo is a wood a lot more ecological than the conventional one, that coming from the trees. The reasons are many, although this does not mean that it will always be greener, as there are a number of factors that we have to take into account, such as good practices in collection methods or the carbon footprint as a result of the associated transport. to a certain product.
Sustainable economy
Bamboo harvesting is a traditional practice, but it is only recently being seen as a way to boost the local economy. through sustainable plantations. Not in vain, its sowing not only helps to fight against climate change by increasing the absorption of CO2 but also provides the ideal raw material to transform into a myriad of objects or to use in construction.
Its rapid growth also allows for earlier profitability. The investment that is made obtains in a few years a return that is repeated every cycle, so the return is constant. In particular, because in addition, from this raw material, objects of added value can be produced that increase their value for export.
In this sense, it also makes processing industries flourish in the same regions. It is, in short, a sector that can easily complete the cycle without leaving a local economy concept, from planting to manufacturing.
A very versatile material
Even so, the transformation of bamboo on many occasions takes place very far from where the harvest was made, an element to take into account when assessing the carbon footprint. And equally, it is convenient to consider what type of glues and materials were used, since they are often abused toxic products of chemical composition that reduce the ecological value of the product.
The versatility of bamboo is such that it is almost easier which objects we cannot make with it than to list them all: bicycles, laptop cases, rugs, furniture, helmets, screens, furniture of all kinds, bowls, plates, decorative objects and a long etcetera that, on the other hand, does not stop increasing.
As a building material, bamboo has traditionally been used to make low-cost housing, although there is no shortage of architectural demonstrations that show its great potential to carry out works of authentic luxury. In this field, there is still much to discover about what you can contribute to build housing for the middle classes.
In the same way, loofah or luffa is also an alternative to wood, much more unknown than bamboo but just as respectful of the environment. environment, although its possibilities are smaller.
You most likely know it from the bath sponges that are marketed made of this material for its peeling effect. In case you were unaware, the loofah is the fruit of a curcubitácea plant native to India. It grows wild, has the shape of a zucchini large and is made up of a dense network of fibers.
Conclusions.
However, in a generic way, bamboo gains in number of green advantages. Its rapid growth stands out (it is harvested every four or five years), which does not prevent it from creating complex and vigorous root systems that help combat soil erosion.
In turn, in eroded lands, the bamboo plantation It helps to recover them, because when they are felled, the base is not cut, in addition to promoting ecosystems rich in fauna that act as powerful carbon sinks. And yes, it's true, forests are carbon sinks too, but bamboo absorbs CO2 faster than trees.
If you want to read more articles similar to Bamboo, the ecological wood, we recommend that you enter our category of Other ecology.
