Due to its impressively reproductive abilities, Bamboo is hailed as one of the most sustainable raw materials available. Not to mention, nearly everyone, from consumers to researchers, has a positive perception of bamboo, and it is often quoted as the ‘perfect’ green substitute. The reason lies in its inherent durability, affordability and overall adaptability. Overwhelming demand for bamboo products like furniture, paper, keyboards and apparel wear has led to the inception of a bevy of profitable green industries. Bamboo goods are even being retailed at major stores like Wal-Mart and eco-centric brands like Banana Republic. It is expected that the size of the bamboo goods industry will amount to nearly $25 billion in 2012. Therefore, it is no surprise that newer ways of using bamboo for other green business practices are also being researched.
Bamboo-based products have vast business potentional. Bamboo is a great green solution for organizations striving to adopt greener technologies but struggling from restricted funds. The growth pattern of a bamboo ensures bamboo will remain cheap to produce, needing little or no pesticides and minimal water supply. This isn’t to mention its environmental benefits, using up more carbon dioxide than any other contemporary vegetation of comparable size. These features make it one of the most environmentally-beneficial materials introduced in the last decade. Further, it is a demand-compliant raw material that can be manipulated for nearly every conceivable use. For example, Method, a cleaning-products company in San Francisco uses bamboo for its packaging and industrial cleaning needs. The bamboo company, Totally Bamboo, alone produces 300 different types of bamboo-based products to meet the rising demand.
Bamboo Laptop
However, despite praises for its sustainable aspects, the conventional bamboo harvesting and procurement methods aren’t the most sustainable. There is a growing fear that the surging demand pattern may eventually damage bamboo production beyond redemption. Analysts believe that there is a highly misplaced notion among bamboo growers that just because it grows quickly and is more resilient than conventional crops, its harvesting doesn’t need to be regulated.
Just consider this — The United Nations has stated that nearly half among the 1,200 known varieties of bamboo are already extinct or are on the verge of being eradicated.
Major suppliers like Totally Bamboo depend upon sourcing bamboo from China but are taking care not to indulge in over-harvesting. This should be regarded as a smart business decision, since there are already predictions of a bamboo shortage by 2011-12. The anticipated demand is already pushing-up the price of bamboo products beyond anticipation and if this disturbing trend continues, its appeal as a green substitute for businesses may quickly lose its shine.
Among the many solutions discussed for ensuring the availability of bamboo over a sustained period of time, cultivating it within the US has received a lot of support. Bamboo providers like Totally Bamboo have already begun exploring this opportunity. Various parts of the country like Florida, Texas, Maryland and Missouri have been recommended for being gradually converted into the bamboo belt of America. Certain indigenous American varieties like Florida Bamboo have already found a lot of domestic demand. These areas have traditionally been used for growing cotton and are regarded as most suitable for growing the varieties of bamboo that are being imported from China.
A more enterprising initiative has been taken by BooShoot Gardens based in Mount Vernon, Washington. This innovative laboratory presents a radically-different solution for replenishing the production of bamboo. As a part of its agroforestry initiative, it is growing various varieties of bamboo through the tissue culture technology for being planted across the US.
