There’s been a boom over the past few years in the awareness and availability of bamboo products. The humble plant, typically seen in the paw of a happy panda, has seen its popularity spike in this era of eco-swaps and all-natural cleaners. This is due to its incredible versatility and plentiful natural properties. It’s now considered by many to be the answer to issues surrounding ecological, green, sustainable and ethical living and product consumption. But why is this?
Why are bamboo products better?
A key factor in bamboo being a sustainable super-material is the speed at which it grows – around 95cm every 24 hours. This incredible speed makes it the only plant that can match up to the increasing requirements of human consumption and deforestation.
As well as the growth speed, bamboo is loaded with properties which would make it an ideal material, even without its mind-boggling sustainability credentials. In its solid wooden state, it's extremely durable, long-lasting, flexible, odourless, and rot and insect resistant. In its fibrous state, it's both incredibly strong and malleable, and surpasses cotton’s properties in a number of key areas: bamboo fibre is twice as absorbent; requires less dye to colour; it’s anti-ultraviolet; the hollow fibres make it perfect for heat-regulating and moisture wicking, and it’s loaded with ‘bamboo kun’, which is hypoallergenic, antibacterial and anti-fungal. Plus, it’s softer than cotton, having a texture and feel similar to silk and cashmere.
Oh, and because it’s a natural product, it’s biodegradable and thus, zero-waste. This means that once your bamboo product has reached the end of its lifespan, you can just throw it into a garden composter, rather than sending it to a recycling plant or landfill like you’d have to with the non-bamboo alternatives.
As if all of the environmental, ethical and sustainable reasons for choosing bamboo products weren’t enough, it cannot be denied that the products offer an attractive, natural minimalistic look.
To help you start making the swap to bamboo products, we’ve gathered together a selection of super simple, affordable and effective alternatives to everyday items. You're sure to love them.
Best Bamboo Eco Swaps
1 of 13Invisible Footprints Bamboo Cooking Utensils
This set includes spoon, salad tongs, flat spatula, slotted spoon, slotted spatula and holder. Like everything bamboo it's a sustainable, plastic-free and non-toxic alternative to plastic and metal products. Dishwasher safe.
2 of 13Bamboo Reusable Make-Up Wipes
These soft, eco-friendly and reusable cloths are a great alternative to wasteful disposable make-up wipes. With the simple application of warm water, these cloths should be able to remove any make-up type, even long-wear and oil-based, thanks to the material's incredible natural properties.
3 of 13Georganics Natural Dental Floss
Whereas standard nylon floss is coated with petroleum derivates, Georganics has their bamboo floss coated with peppermint oil and sustainable beeswax, offering a smooth, healthy and superior alternative. The use of beeswax does mean that this product is unsuitable for vegans.
4 of 13The Cheeky Panda Biodegradable Bamboo Baby Wipes
Traditional baby wipes are a wasteful and environmentally damaging product, which is a shame, because they're also an essential and useful product. The Cheeky Panda company has used the material's amazing properties to solve the negatives and keep all the positives of disposable wipes. They're made from 100% natural and sustainable bamboo, and coated in 99% purified water, Aloe Vera and fruit extract.
5 of 13Hydro Phil Sustainable Bamboo Toothbrush
A sustainable toothbrush is a great way to reduce your plastic waste. They're made from a completely natural material, and when it wears out, throw it in the composter rather than recycle bin.
6 of 13Pandabode 24 Piece Disposable Cutlery Set
In an ideal world, we would all have access to dozens of reusable cutlery sets – but there are only so many drawers in the kitchen, and if you only need large quantities once or twice a year, is it worth spending all that extra money? This disposable cutlery set solves the issue – they're strong, plastic-free, sustainable and compostable. They're available in sets of 24, 120 and 300, and have a long storage life.
7 of 13Bamboo Drinking Straws
A natural and characterful alternative to traditional plastic, metal and paper straws. Includes drawstring bag and cleaning brush.
8 of 13Utopia Towels Bamboo Washcloths
These washcloths take advantage of bamboo's absorbent, antibacterial and super-soft properties to bring you a practical product which is both sustainable and luxurious. There are 10 cloths per set, measuring 25cm x 25cm.
9 of 13The Cheeky Panda 100 Percent Bamboo Facial Tissue Cube
So, it turns out that The Cheeky Panda wanted to do more with this marvellous material – its tissues are incredibly sustainable, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, hypoallergenic, and super soft.
10 of 13Expanding Bamboo Trivet Hot Mat
This isn't so much a swap, but more of a great use of bamboo. This adjustable trivet will protect your work surfaces from hot cooking pans, pots, plates and dishes.
11 of 13Bambuso Premium Bamboo Socks (Men's)
As if being sustainable, antibacterial and hypoallergenic wasn't enough, bamboo is also moisture wicking, heat regulating and softer than cotton - therefore, makes for the perfect sock.
12 of 13Meow Gift Box Soft Bamboo Socks (Women's)
Loaded with excellent properties, plus a cute cat design and gift box, these socks make the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one.
13 of 13Bamboo Chopping Board with Silicone Ends
If you want all of your kitchen gear to match up, these bamboo chopping boards from Jean-Patrique are the perfect addition. The silicone ends stop it from moving around on the surface (silicone is better for the environment than plastic, but does need to go to a specialist recycling plant) and the size is ideal for those smaller jobs. It does come with a little bit of paper attached with glue, but it's easily removed with a spot of vinegar.
William Lobley is a Content Writer and reviewer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in gaming, technology and the outdoors. He also writes for Empire Online.