Super Eco

Photo credit: andres ol, SXC

There's a green sheen on the bamboo fabrics that are becoming ubiquitous in green displays at stores everywhere today—and we smell a greenwashing rat.  A lovely fabric from an apparently readily renewable, sustainable source, bamboo has captivated green fashion mavens. Is it really as eco-friendly as it purports to be?

Bamboo itself is an incredibly renewable, eco-friendly crop that grows quickly, without the need for huge loads of pesticides. Myths and dirty little realities come tumbling forth, however, when you look behind the scenes at bamboo fabric's production.

• Chemically manufactured bamboo fiber is a regenerated cellulose fiber similar to rayon or modal. Because of the potential health risks and damage to the environment surrounding the manufacturing facilities, textile manufacturing processes for bamboo or other regenerated fibers using hydrolysis alkalization with multi-phase bleaching are not considered sustainable or environmentally supportable. (OrganicClothing.blogs.com)
• To address both environmental and health concerns about this chemical use ... many bamboo fabric factories get the ISO 14001 certification, which shows the factory has put in place some environmental guidelines to green its practices. (LATimes Blogs)
• Bamboo's popularly heralded natural antibacterial, anti-fungal and deodorizing properties are, in fact, a myth. (Even the LA Times Blogs have been sucked into these very pretty claims.) Bamboo's anti-bacterial claim was recently repudiated by research conducted by Colorado State University chemists. As it turns out, anti-bacterial qualities are not unique to bamboo fabric at all.
• Bamboo products also bring up labor issues, as most of the goods are produced in China where labor practices may be suspect. (LATimes Blogs)

All in all, bamboo fabric is a chemically manufactured product. Don't be bamboozled by overzealous green claims. More sustainable production methods are necessary before bamboo fabric can be considered truly green. Until that happens, fans of sustainable fabrics and clothing may prefer to stick with certified organic cotton.