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Green News: Bamboos as Eco-Friendly Plants

01 February, 06:38, by Tags: , , , ,

Green News: Bamboos as Eco-Friendly Plants

What are Bamboos? Bamboos are named as the fastest growing grass specie. They are harvested three times a year, and grow up to three to four feet a day. It is commonly found in Asia, but can also be seen in other countries such as in United States. Very durable, bamboo can live up to thousands of years. How Bamboos Become Environmentally-Friendly? Bamboos are environmentally-friendly plants that produce oxygen and absorb great amount of carbon dioxide. The eco-friendly ability of bamboos relies on their ability to grow quickly as long as four feet a day. Bamboos can grow without the need of pesticides and fertilizers. They absorb 2/3 of carbon dioxide as much as they release oxygen in the environment. Furthermore, bamboos absorb high amount of nitrogen, preventing water pollution. At the same time, the roots hold the soil firmly, preventing natural disasters such as erosions.

What are Some Uses of Bamboos? Bamboos have many uses. The woods are used in making furniture such as bamboo trays, bamboo lampshades, bamboo place mats, etc. There has been the production of bamboo flooring and other building materials for furniture as well. The bamboo-made furniture is one of top-selling options of designers due to its durable and moisture-absorbent properties. One of the best-selling bamboo-made products is bamboo tray. Bamboo trays are sophisticated containers used for corralling your house furniture and other items. Bamboo fabrics are used as a clothing material, too. Bamboo fabrics are turned softer than cotton. Because bamboo is a good moisture absorber, bamboo-made clothes are very suitable in hot weather like summer. On the other hand, bamboo-made beddings, pillowcases, rugs are available, too. Bamboos are sustainable plants. This means that they are used up for many things, yet ecological balance is still maintained. Bamboo plantation does not make use of large petroleum tractors in planting and cultivating bamboos. Because they grow naturally, they rarely need agricultural maintenance. Nevertheless, bamboo is a natural material. All bamboo products are decomposable in soil; hence, this is what makes bamboo 100% biodegradable. Are Bamboo Products 100% “Eco-Friendly” Products? There are no such green products that are 100% “eco-friendly’. The fact that bamboo is a sturdy material; multi-process methods and pesticides are utilized to make it a good fabric. From this, the process of production and manufacturing bamboo-based materials seemed not to be environmentally sound. In spite of this, environmentalists believed that bamboo-made products have lesser environmental impact compared to other fabrics or products.

Bamboo tray, the more known bamboo-made products, is functional.

Plant-Based Textiles and the Green Movement

25 January, 06:38, by Tags: , , ,

Plant-Based Textiles and the Green Movement

Plant-based textiles have been an integral part of clothing manufacturing for thousands of years, of course, but certain plants are finding new life as part of ecologically-conscious green clothing. Here is a little bit about plant-based textiles and what is being done now.

Cotton has long been the go-to textile thanks to its versatility and comfort. But what many people may not know is that Philippinos have been blending it for years with the fiber from the pineapple, called “pina.” Pina is obtained from the plant’s leaves and fiber and it is not known for its strength. However, its delicate nature makes it a natural to combine with silks, and many couture gowns are being made with pina now.

Hemp in a multitude of forms has been used in the manufacture of textiles for centuries, but it is presently enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Manila hemp, which is gleaned from the underside of banana tree bark is recognized and prized for being one of the strongest fibers in existence.

Hemp textiles are extremely versatile and are used for everything from easy-care casual slacks to runway-ready fashions.

Soybean and corn are not plants that are usually associated with textiles, but they have become extremely popular members of the green clothing. Soybean fiber blended with cotton and other materials is notoriously soft and is a rising star in the production of infant and baby clothing; but soy and corn are strong enough to make adult shirts and outwear as well.

Those who are concerned about the environment can seek out green clothing that relies heavily on natural plant fibers. Many manufacturers take environmental responsibility a step further by recycling fabrics such as polyester into new and fashionable products.

The bottom line is: there are plenty of clothing choices we can make that will make a big difference to our planet’s health.

ArcMate Manufacturing http://www.arcmate.com/ offers eco green clothing such as shirts, jackets, vests, as well as shopping bags, tote bags, purses and other products made from recycled materials. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.