Bamboo has fast become the raw material of choice for just about any kind of commodity you can think of. The bamboo plant, which is commonly mistaken for a type of wood, is actually a type of grass that happens to be very eco-friendly. In fact, some species of bamboo grow at a rate of about 4 inches per day. No hardwood resource can compete with that growth rate at all. Today, bamboo is used to make a wide range of products, including the following:
Construction Material — in East Asia, the South Pacific, Central and South America, bamboo is very commonly used for construction materials. In general, it is used for scaffolding, as well as for building bridges and houses. They also have decorative uses for fountains, fencing and the like. And of course, more so in the Western world, laminated strips of bamboo are now being used as an alternative to hardwood floors.
Textiles — the Chinese developed the original processes for converting bamboo to textiles. Today, several products including towels, sheets and clothing are made out of bamboo. Not only are these products safer on the environment, but better for people who often have allergic reaction to synthetic fabric.
Musical Instruments — several traditional musical instruments used in the Asian region are made from 100% bamboo. These include wind instruments, percussion instruments, and things like flutes, rattles, pipes and harps.
Medicinal Products — bamboo has long been thought to be effective at healing and treating infection. In India, it is specifically used for treating respiratory diseases. It is also a low calorie source of potassium which we all need as part of our diets.
Bamboo has become so popular because it is quite eco-friendly. As previously mentioned, it is actually a grass which grows much faster than any hardwood you can think of. A bamboo crop is harvested in 3 to 5 years, compared to the average hardwood which is harvested between 30 and 50 years.
Bamboo grows freely without the aid of pesticides or chemicals. This is another reason to prove its eco-friendliness. It is a fully degradable product and regenerates on its own, thereby classified as a renewable resource.
Modern technological processes are making it possible to use bamboo for more and more products every day. As long as we continue to harvest it at the due time, we can start to preserve the hardwood resources that help keep our environment stable.