Bamboo is a well-known plant throughout the world. Often associated with Asian countries like China, Vietnam and Indonesia, bamboo is now grown across the world. A grass with a huge history, this plant has been part of Chinese daily life for several millennia. It is used for building scaffolding, as vegetables, for the manufacture of paintbrushes and toothbrushes, etc. It is recognized for its great versatility since it is extremely strong, flexible and also has very interesting nutritional values. It is used to such an extent that it was titled “national tree” during the 19th century in China. For several years, Westerners have also understood all the daily advantages of using bamboo, which is why we have seen certain bamboo-based products appear in the bathrooms and kitchens of many North American or European families.
It is therefore interesting to look at the applications that such a material can have and its possibilities of integration into our Canadian agriculture.
Let's tackle his flaws
Let's start by clearly establishing what the negative points surrounding bamboo are. Regarding the use of bamboo and its processing, there is no real problem. Two points, however, seem to stand out and could well present some headaches. When it comes to bamboo production, as stated in the introduction, Asian countries are the largest producers and exporters. This therefore means that additional energy costs and CO2 emissions must be taken into account to transport the raw material to the processing centers which may be in North America or Europe, for example.
It would be easy to say that, since bamboo is a plant that grows extremely quickly, its cultivation would be suitable for the colder temperatures of Quebec. Although this is factual, bamboo production is extremely delicate since this plant is considered an invasive species. Indeed, bamboo roots are known to spread quickly and over a huge area. When it is the only one to be grown in a certain space and no crop rotation or other measures are put in place, therefore it is produced in excess, it absorbs most of the minerals and water is lost. found in the soil, which harms other plant species and greatly impoverishes the soil for future crops. By limiting biodiversity, we also reduce the wildlife present in this region.
Is there a solution to these problems? It is possible to produce bamboo here, you just need to do it the right way. Controlled production, in a very specific region and away from any biodiversity could make it possible to limit imports from Asia while allowing real progress in the bamboo production and processing industry in Canada.
Green ones tree
When bamboo is produced according to appropriate environmental standards, when it does not contain chemical or other fertilizers and when it is not imported from a distant country, it becomes a real competitor in the ecological field. When cultivated without excess and using the right method, it helps eliminate certain toxins harmful to other species; it also has the possibility of regenerating the soil, which would make it possible to envisage more than just an agriculture that respects nature, but also an agriculture where the soil regenerates by itself.
In addition, surprisingly, bamboo captures around 4 to 5 times more CO2 than deciduous trees, for example. Rather interesting when we know that it takes decades for a tree to reach full maturity and that once reached, there is a good chance that it will be cut down due to increasing deforestation whereas, on the contrary, bamboo reaches maturity in a few years and once reached, it can grow one meter per day, which is incredible for the yield of a single plantation. All this, without any pesticides, fertilizers, or any other chemical products and for a fraction of the weight of a tree trunk, thus reducing the environmental impact and the cost of transport.
What to do with this particular plant ?
As mentioned in the introduction, bamboo is a versatile plant. It can be used on a construction site as well as for brushing toddlers' teeth. Indeed, it is used in Asia to make toothbrushes, razors, chopsticks, bowls, baskets, etc. Anything (or almost anything) you can dream of can be made with bamboo. One of the great advantages of this grass is that it is biodegradable, which means that when a product made from bamboo has reached the end of its life and is thrown into the trash, it pollutes much less due to its shelf life. less decomposition than its plastic counterpart which will take centuries to decompose.
Recognized for its robustness and greater flexibility than wood and certain metals, it is also an option to consider when making scaffolding for construction sites. It is even possible to make entire constructions just from bamboo. Quite resistant, roof frame or load-bearing wall will not be able to overcome it. The use of bamboo is also very trendy as interior decoration; it allows you to bring a more tropical and exotic character to a residence.
Like a large majority of plants on Earth, it is also possible to make clothing from bamboo. However, two important facts should be noted about this industry. First, it is common to find products made from bamboo viscose. The vast majority of these are considered non-ecological since they require chemicals during their design. Secondly, there are products made from bamboo fiber which are of good quality and most often, ecological too. The only downside is that, generally, these items cost more to manufacture so you should also expect to pay a little more to obtain them.