Bamboo is arguably one of the world’s best sustainable resources. With a growth rate of up to a meter or more per day, bamboo holds the world record as the fastest growing plant. And, bamboo is actually not a wood but a grass, continuously sending up new shoots after harvesting without a need for replanting. Bamboo can be utilized in just 4-5 years unlike traditional hardwoods that not only take 25-70 years to mature, but also require replanting.

EcoDesignz, a well-established and Co-Op America approved company, has been making bamboo furniture and clothing for the past two years. "EcoDesignz is a shared American-Chinese enterprise. As China becomes more and more significant in the world marketplace, EcoDesignz and companies like it provide jobs on both sides of the Pacific, facilitate other Sino-American partnerships, encourage diplomacy, and promote peace." The company also owns and operates BambooClothes.com, a quaint online store with bamboo items for men, women, kids, and your friendly local knitter.

Other than being clearly sustainable, the bamboo plant has many other nifty benefits for the environment. Inherently organic and hypoallergenic, bamboo does not require any chemical pesticides or fertilizers to grow. Also bamboo helps to stabilize the Earth with its erosion preventing roots. Cotton crops (organic or conventional) require wide spacing that allows bare soil to bake and oxidize, releasing carbon into the atmosphere and decreasing soil fertility. Further, bamboo retains water, reduces runoff, sustains riverbanks, and helps mitigate water pollution due to its high nitrogen consumption. If that wasn't enough, bamboo is a key player in helping to fight global warming. Taking in nearly five times the amount of greenhouse gasses, bamboo produces 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees, making it an efficient replenisher of fresh air.

What benefit does the clothing have? Good question! The benefits are numerous,. “Bamboo is the new cotton…it has all the properties that you physically want out of cotton, plus some. Bamboo is more antibacterial than [other fabrics like] cotton or wool, which are very absorbent and hold moisture in. Because Bamboo wicks moisture away, it’s great for your circulation and skin.” [LAtimes.com, September 25, 2005]. Along with being hypoallergenic, as previously mentioned, bamboo fiber is softer than the softest cotton, has a natural sheen to the surface, and feels similar to silk or cashmere. It has a very high soil release value and is so durable; you can throw it in the washer and drier; proving to be much more flexible than any cashmere on the market. Bamboo fibers are biodegradable, unlike synthetic textile fibers. Synthetic textile fibers are also made from non-renewable petroleum, and can even emit harmful gasses when incinerated or left to rot in a landfill.

On top of all this, bamboo clothing drapes like silk, it feels as soft and good as silk, but it is more practical because it is durable and much less expensive and versatile. Imagine that, clothing that looks good, feels good, and is good for the environment! Let's not forget how affordable it is as well. Basic shirts range from $18-25 each, with hoodies and sweaters costing only $35-42.

Wait - don't pandas eat bamboo? Are they going to starve? There are over 1,200 species of bamboo on this planet. All of BambooClothes.com's products (and most others on the market) are manufactured from Moso bamboo, which is not the species eaten by Pandas. So our adorable, monochromatic friends can snack away while we look stylish in our new, sustainable duds.

Image courtesy of EcoDesignz