So far we have learned, where bamboo grows, how it is grown, how it’s harvested, and how it is sustained.
Let’s turn our attention to after the harvest.
What happens to bamboo during processing?
Depending on the product being manufactured, bamboo undergoes different processing techniques.
Manufactured Bamboo Flooring
- mature culms are sliced into strips
- outer skin and nodes are removed
- bamboo strips are boiled in a boric acid or lime solution to remove starch and sugars
- it is then dried and planed
- in the lamination process, a chemical called urea-formaldehyde (UF) is used as an adhesive
- UF resins emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- bamboo products that do not use UF are available
- heat is used as an adhesive instead
- the cured boards are then planed, sanded, and milled
- an ultraviolet curing lacquer is then applied to the boards
Mechanically Produced Bamboo Fibre
- the woody part of the bamboo is crushed mechanically
- a natural enzyme retting and washing process is used to break down the walls and extract the bamboo fiber
- retting is a process that uses micro-organisms and moisture on plants to dissolve or rot away much of the cellular tissues, allowing for the separation of fiber from the stem
- harsh chemicals are not used
- the separated fiber is then spun into a yarn
This method produces mechanically-produced bamboo fiber, which is NOT the same as bamboo rayon.
Well, what is bamboo rayon then, you ask?
Let me explain.
Bamboo Rayon
Rayon is a textile fiber or fabric made from regenerated cellulose (viscose).
Cellulose is an insoluble substance that is the main constituent of plant cell walls and of vegetable fibers such as bamboo.
Basically, bamboo rayon is a textile made from the cells of the culm.
How do manufacturers process the bamboo to obtain the cellulose?
The most common way is known as the viscose process.
Viscose Process
- cellulose material (such as bamboo) is dissolved in a strong solvent to make a thick, viscous solution
- the solution is forced through a spinneret into a quenching solution where strands solidify into a fiber
- the solvent used for this process is carbon disulfide, a toxic chemical that is a known human
reproductive hazard - it can endanger factory workers and pollute the environment via air emissions and wastewater
- the recovery of this solvent in most viscose factories is around 50%, which means that the other half goes into the environment
- chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid are also used in the viscose process
The main takeaway from this is to treat bamboo fiber and bamboo rayon differently when you are looking at your product labels.
They are not the same and should not be treated as such. The viscose process is not environmentally sound whereas mechanically produced bamboo fiber is.
A more eco-friendly alternative to bamboo rayon is lyocell bamboo.
Lyocell Process
- similar to the viscose processing procedure, with two notable differences:
- the lyocell process uses less toxic chemicals
- closed-loop manufacturing process
- meaning all liquid is recycled and all solvents are captured and removed
- considered to be eco-friendly
This process is fairly new, so not a lot of companies are currently using it.
It does, however, seem to be a better choice than viscose bamboo when looking for clothing and other items that are made with bamboo fiber.
In my opinion, mechanically produced bamboo fiber is the most eco-friendly choice.
Although this fiber does have a down-side as it is not as soft or smooth as either rayon or lyocell bamboo fiber. So softer fabric is a trade-off for a more eco-friendly method for sure.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the bamboo processing procedure for utensils, toothbrushes, straws, and items such as those.
utensil processing
I am going to be honest here, this information was HARD to find. I spent many a day researching what the process is, and to be honest I am disappointed at the results.
I even reached out to a couple utensil manufacturers, but unfortunately never heard back from them.
I believe this information is very important since these products are popular and are used every day, so I will share what I discovered, even if I don’t feel it is complete.
Bamboo Processing for Utensils
Not all bamboo utensils are created equal.
Some bamboo utensils are hand-carved from a single culm, without the use of glues and adhesives.
Other utensils are made from the bamboo fiber in which adhesives are used.
Adhesives tend to break down, meaning the product is not as high of quality as one carved from a single culm.
As well, chemical adhesives could leach into the food that is being prepared by the utensils.
My advice is to look for companies that advertise their products are carved from bamboo culms.
Product packaging that does not mention this fact is probably using adhesives. These are just my thoughts, please make the best decision for yourself.
Bamboo: Is It For You? – Clarify Green
So far we have learned, where bamboo grows, how it is grown, how it’s harvested, and how it is sustained.
Let’s turn our attention to after the harvest.
What happens to bamboo during processing?
Depending on the product being manufactured, bamboo undergoes different processing techniques.
Manufactured Bamboo Flooring
Mechanically Produced Bamboo Fibre
This method produces mechanically-produced bamboo fiber, which is NOT the same as bamboo rayon.
Well, what is bamboo rayon then, you ask?
Let me explain.
Bamboo Rayon
Rayon is a textile fiber or fabric made from regenerated cellulose (viscose).
Cellulose is an insoluble substance that is the main constituent of plant cell walls and of vegetable fibers such as bamboo.
Basically, bamboo rayon is a textile made from the cells of the culm.
How do manufacturers process the bamboo to obtain the cellulose?
The most common way is known as the viscose process.
Viscose Process
reproductive hazard
The main takeaway from this is to treat bamboo fiber and bamboo rayon differently when you are looking at your product labels.
They are not the same and should not be treated as such. The viscose process is not environmentally sound whereas mechanically produced bamboo fiber is.
A more eco-friendly alternative to bamboo rayon is lyocell bamboo.
Lyocell Process
This process is fairly new, so not a lot of companies are currently using it.
It does, however, seem to be a better choice than viscose bamboo when looking for clothing and other items that are made with bamboo fiber.
In my opinion, mechanically produced bamboo fiber is the most eco-friendly choice.
Although this fiber does have a down-side as it is not as soft or smooth as either rayon or lyocell bamboo fiber. So softer fabric is a trade-off for a more eco-friendly method for sure.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the bamboo processing procedure for utensils, toothbrushes, straws, and items such as those.
utensil processing
I am going to be honest here, this information was HARD to find. I spent many a day researching what the process is, and to be honest I am disappointed at the results.
I even reached out to a couple utensil manufacturers, but unfortunately never heard back from them.
I believe this information is very important since these products are popular and are used every day, so I will share what I discovered, even if I don’t feel it is complete.
Bamboo Processing for Utensils
Not all bamboo utensils are created equal.
Some bamboo utensils are hand-carved from a single culm, without the use of glues and adhesives.
Other utensils are made from the bamboo fiber in which adhesives are used.
Adhesives tend to break down, meaning the product is not as high of quality as one carved from a single culm.
As well, chemical adhesives could leach into the food that is being prepared by the utensils.
My advice is to look for companies that advertise their products are carved from bamboo culms.
Product packaging that does not mention this fact is probably using adhesives. These are just my thoughts, please make the best decision for yourself.