Kids’ Clothes with a Conscience

Posted on May 16, 2012 by caitlinself

What’s more adorable than a little kid in a cute outfit? A little kid in a cute organic outfit bearing a positive message for the world, which is exactly what you get with Ragaboo Bamboo Clothing.

Ragaboo is a line that we at Bambooki.com were bound to love. This company is founded out of a couple’s love for their children, and for the planet that supplies them with their daily means of existence. Made from certified organic bamboo, these amazingly comfortable and positive t-shirts are a great way to teach your little ones that environmental responsibility is just as important as comfort and style.

Here are ten of the reasons why we love Ragaboo, including some of their own reasons for choosing bamboo for their clothing line. It’s enough to make you recycle all of your old cotton clothes and opt for organic bamboo clothing for you and your family from here on out. Without further ado…

  1. Sustainable: It’s no secret that sustainability is one of the most essential traits of any eco-friendly product or practice. Luckily, when properly sources and manufactured, bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials on the planet. Try finding another t-shirt that’s made from materials grown with minimal water, and without the aid of pesticides, fungicides, or chemicals; I dare you!
  2. Renewable: You’d be hard-pressed to find a more rapidly renewable material than bamboo. Growing up to several feet each day, and easily renewable upon harvest, it’s one of the fastest growing materials on our planet, and it requires almost no help from its human counterparts. Now that’s my kind of low maintenance!
  3. Carbon-Zapping: We all know that plants and trees absorb harmful and excessive CO2, while releasing clean and friendly oxygen, but bamboo, yet again, does it better. A single grove full of bamboo releases significantly more oxygen and absorbs significantly more carbon dioxide than the same size grove of trees. That’s what we call eco-efficient!
  4. SPF 15: Getting around the sun’s harmful rays can be quite the headache, but with bamboo t-shirts, you can easily protect your skin and the skin of your loved ones. Ragaboo’s bamboo shirts protect your little ones from the damaging UV rays, without dealing with messy sunblock.
  5. Antimicrobial: Regardless of your little ones’ favorite outdoor activities, their clothes are sure to build up a nice layer of filth. With bamboo fabric, they can get as dirty as they want without stinking up the house, car, or laundry hamper!
  6. Hypoallergenic: At a young age, it’s hard to know how kids will react to different materials, so one of the best features of clothing for babies, toddlers, and children, is that it is hypoallergenic. You can protect your kids from allergic reactions and skin rashes by clothing them in bamboo!
  7. Moisture-Wicking: After all that rolling around in the dirt outside, or running around with friends on playdates, kids’ shirts get sweaty, sticky, and smelly. Luckily, the moisture-wicking ability of bamboo helps keep your kids’ skin dry, and helps the shirts dry out before you can even say, “into the hamper!”
  8. Durable: It’s easy to worry about stains, rips, and malformed shirts when your kids are running around the house and the yard, but bamboo is one of the most durable materials on the planet, and will last as hand-me-downs for years!
  9. Soft as silk: 100% bamboo fabric is soft enough to sleep in, making these shirts great for not only play dates and parties, but also sleepy Sundays and sick days.
  10. Temperature Adaptable: The bamboo plant has the unique trait of temperature adaptability, which keeps your kids cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

There you have it, ten great reasons to choose bamboo clothing for your smallest family members!

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Super Bamboo – A Great Investment

Posted on May 14, 2012 by caitlinself

It seems like the demand for this eco-friendly material is growing as fast as the plant itself. That’s quite a speed, considering bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant on the planet, but new technologies are making it incredibly versatile and accessible. It’s even being called the “timber of the 21st century.” It looks like bamboo is the newest super material to hit the market, and with something like 1,500 uses, it doesn’t look like any others are going to catch up anytime soon.

The 9th World Bamboo Congress took place this past April, and participants from all over the world worked to show the attendees what bamboo can do. According to their site, the conference was an astounding success, and the organization is working to establish a World Bamboo Day for September 18th of this year.

In recent decades, we’ve seen several materials hailed as the new “wonder material,” but none had quite as much potential as bamboo. Cotton was once our wonder material, but it is now the most heavily sprayed cash crop in the country. A few short decades ago, plastic seemed to be the “one-size-fits-all” world wonder, but now we all know how terrible it is for the environment, and our health. And despite Graphene’s ability to earn its discoverers a Nobel Prize in 2010, many people still believe that bamboo is the new superstar in town.

In fact, it’s not just physicists, contractors, and designers who are paying attention; investors all over the world are now perking up to the idea of bamboo plantations.

According to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), investors can look to bamboo as a plant to fill plantations, and absorb carbon, all while turning a pretty penny for the owners. AAA is an alternative investment advocacy group with a strictly ethical backbone, and they’re supporting investments in bamboo and bamboo plantations. Due to the harvesting cycle (or lack thereof) of bamboo, once starting a plantation, the owner always has standing bamboo, habitats for animals, as well as enough harvested bamboo prepared for use.

In the wake of the World Bamboo Congress, bamboo-lovers all over the world are working tirelessly to promote the beloved material, while simultaneously discovering and establishing new uses.

According to Kamesh Salam, of the South Asia Bamboo Foundation, over one billion people live in bamboo houses, and two million tons of paper is used for paper in India alone. Poor communities have a great deal to benefit from the increased use of bamboo, making it socially responsible, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable.

As innovators discover these new uses, investors, as well as developing countries, reap the rewards. Due to the increase of Western investors seeking to expand into the sustainable plantation market, countries from Indonesia to Nicaragua are experiencing significant boosts in plantation demand. People from all walks of life are now giving bamboo the attention it has always deserved.

Here at Bambooki.com, we know how amazing this “super material” really is, and we just hope that you have the chance to find out for yourself. Whether searching for sturdy bamboo timber, elegant bamboo flooring, or simple bamboo sheets and bedding, be sure to try bamboo products the next chance you get!

Sources:

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/move-over-graphene-bamboo-is-the-next-wonder-material/14755

http://your-story.org/bamboo-could-prove-a-good-investment-says-aaa-322429/

http://www.manufacturingdigital.com/people_skills/bamboo-demand-growing-as-fast-as-the-plant-itself

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17568088

Posted in Flooring | Tagged | 1 Comment

REVEAL Your Greener Side

Posted on May 11, 2012 by caitlinself

Inspired by the seamless connectivity of cultures across the world, especially throughout Asia, South America, and Africa, two entrepreneurs put their heads together to bring us some of the gadgets to suit your bamboo soul.

With the current connected generation as their guide, REVEAL was founded to seamlessly combine style, sustainability, and mobility to suit our media consumption desires.  And when REVEAL comes a-knockin’, bamboo’s going to answer! They now have a full line of five unique bamboo items to help you find stylish sustainability.

Bamboo Cuff Links

Getting fancy for a night out, but trying to keep your carbon footprint in check? Try these bamboo cufflinks on for size. You’re 5000-threadcount top isn’t complete without the appropriate accessories, and sustainable bamboo cufflinks fit the bill. Lightweight, durable, natural, and charming, these little babies are free of BPA, paint, and are sure to start a conversation in any social environment.

 

Bamboo Glasses Frames

Handcrafted from bamboo, these natural-colored glasses frames complete any ensemble. Wear them simply for the look, or fit them to any prescription lenses. Again, you’ll find no BPA, no paint, and no-frills with these stylishly simple frames.

 

Bamboo Earbuds and Headphones

Whether looking for stylish DJ headphones or simple and sleek earbuds, REVEAL’s got you covered with their eco-friendly bamboo options. Handcrafted with all-natural, pure bamboo, these audio amplifiers work well with any iPod, MP3, CD player, or phone. Upgrade your audio accessories to the greener option!

 

Bamboo Watches

If you’re rocking a t-shirt, dress up those cuffs with a snazzy bamboo watch. Incredibly durable, yet much lighter than your traditional materials, REVEAL’s bamboo watch is sure to become a timeless accessory for all of your favorite ensembles.

 

Bamboo Apple Cases

We all know that our expensive Apple products need protecting, but in order to buy a durable case, we often opt for plastic, rubber, or metal, which ends up being just as heavy as the product itself. Instead, try a bamboo case on for size, and you’ll never look back. Strong and durable, these natural bamboo cases come in two colors, natural tan, and light gray, and are available for the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4. Protect your favorite gadgets with eco-friendly bamboo!

More Bamboo Innovators

REVEAL certainly achieved their goal of seamlessly integration fashion, function, and eco-friendliness, but they’re not the only ones. Check out these other great brands and their innovative bamboo products to suit every style.

 

 

 

 

 

Woodzee Bamboo Sunglasses

Some of the best in the business of stylish shades, 100% UV protection bamboo Woodzee Sunglasses come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit any style.

Vers Audio Earbuds and Headphones

Known for their outstanding audio accessories, Vers also has a line of sustainable bamboo headphones and earbuds to complete your eco-friendly listening experience.

Sprout Watches

Sprout innovation, creativity, and conversation with a colorful and unique eco-friendly watch by Sprout. These Sprout Watches are made with organic cotton straps and natural bamboo dials and components, and you’ll be begging for strangers to ask you the time, just so you can show it off.

Vers Cases

If you’re looking for the perfect match for your bamboo headphones, check out the eco-friendly and incredibly durable Vers bamboo cases for your Apple products.

Bamboo continues to REVEAL itself as the most versatile raw material on the planet, and with unbelievably rapid renewability, it’s still incredibly affordable! Learn more about each of these brands, right here at Bambooki.com.

 

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Bamboo Beauty – 5 Beauty Products With a Little Extra Oomph

Posted on May 9, 2012 by caitlinself

So you thought bamboo was just for sturdy Tiki bars, soft sheets, and grassy beer, eh? Well, according to beautification specialists and manufacturers, it’s the next big thing in the world of health and beauty products. Do you ever see “enhanced with bamboo” on your favorite shampoo and wonder what the heck it does? Well, we’ve compiled some of the most common ways bamboo is used in health and beauty remedies, and some of the products that use it. Asian cultures use bamboo for al kinds of rejuvenation, and now you can too! Check out the five ways to use bamboo for your own personal beautification.

1) Bamboo Extract Hair Products

Shampoo and Conditioner: Organix Cherry Blossom Ginseng

Known for their organic active ingredients and paraben-free formulas, Organix has some of the best-smelling shampoos and conditioners on the market. As of 2010 or so, they’ve been using bamboo extract in their products for increased hydration and incredible shine. The extract reaches the hair follicle, producing healthier hair all day long, and keeps your hair from drying out throughout the day. It’s hard to beat the deliciously fruity scents, such as Cherry Blossom Ginseng, and they even use eco-friendly bottles and packaging, so lather up your locks with this bamboo-licious shampoo!

Volume and Hold: Bamboo Volume, Bamboo Men, and Boo Bamboo

If you’re looking for that same hydration and shine in your styling products, Bamboo Volume and Bamboo Men have a few products to fit the bill. Bamboo Volume’s 48-hour sustainable volume spray leaves your hair visibly thicker, with a healthy shine, while Bamboo Men Power Hold Max leaves hair looking smooth and natural with a maximum hold.

You can also take a look at Boo Bamboo’s revitalizing conditioning treatment, which works to revitalize and strengthen your hair after the most strenuous trials. Whether you’ve spent your summer in the sun, swimming in the pool, or styling to your heart’s content, Boo Bamboo’s conditioning treatment will get your luscious locks back where they belong.

2) Bamboo Silk Cosmetics: Physician’s Formula Bamboo Wear

For those of you that keep up with organic and all-natural beauty products, you’re probably pretty familiar with Physician’s Formula. Known for dermatologist-approved and hypoallergenic makeup products, Physician’s Formula has a wide array of innovative cosmetic and skin care products for sensitive skin. They even claim to make some of the best products without using the hundreds of known irritating compounds used in cosmetics today.

In the last few years they’ve released their organic line as well as Bamboo Wear, which is a line that uses bamboo wood for the compacts and brushes, as well as bamboo silk powder for their bronzers and face powders. Bamboo powder has the ability to absorb excess oil without drying out the skin, and according to their website, the nutrient-rich compound revives the skin to provide and even skin tone and healthy complexion.

To complete the sustainability line, their compacts and brushes are made from sustainable bamboo, and they sell compact refills to reduce waste! Check them out!

3) Bamboo Charcoal Soap: Ever Bamboo

Purify and exfoliate your skin with Ever Bamboo’s natural bamboo charcoal soap. Bamboo charcoal’s negative ionic charge is said to help stimulate blood flow and manage inflammation, making it and excellent solution for a variety of ailments. In soap form, you can rub and scrub sensitive skin all day long, and still be left with a soft and naturally beautiful glow. Check out Ever Bamboo’s great selection of bamboo charcoal soap for an all-natural cleanse.

4) Bamboo Extract Lotion: Nivea Happy Sensation Body Lotion

A few big brands are starting to notice the benefits of our favorite material, and companies such as Nivea are now including bamboo extract in their line of products. Nivea’s Happy Sensation Body Lotion incorporates nourishing bamboo extract with invigorating orange blossom scent for a luxuriously smooth result. The 24-hour moisturizer uses bamboo extract to fortify your skin, creating a silky smooth touch all day long.

5) Bamboo Wipes: Bum Boosa

The soft and sensitive Bum Boosa wipes may be made for babies, but they’re strong enough for their adult counterparts as well. A natural way to keep yourself and your surroundings clean while on the go, these bio-friendly wipes are made with pure lavender, sweet orange essential oils, and 100% regenerated cellulose fiber from bamboo. They won’t dry out your face or hands, and are gentle enough to use on your most sensitive spots.

Sources:

http://www.organixhair.com/product/shampoo-2

http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-us/staticpage/bamboo-wear.html

http://www.organicauthority.com/delicious-beauty/bamboo-natural-beauty-secrets.html

http://blog.greenearthbamboo.com/20100118/bamboo-remedies/beauty-products-enhanced-with-the-power-of-bamboo/

 

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Top 10 Eco-Friendly White House Dwellers

Posted on May 7, 2012 by caitlinself

All eyes are on this year’s presidential election, and how the candidates can improve our lives, our country, and our planet. From clean energy to gas prices, there’s no environmental topic untouched in the race to the White House. Over our short history, we’re had some of the most progressively environmental leaders in the world. Here’s a quick list at our country’s top ten eco-friendly presidents, in chronological order.

1. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)

It’s hard to create this list without including Abraham Lincoln for the simple fact that he signed the first conservation laws during his time in office. He also established the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Academy of Sciences. The Emancipation Proclamation often overshadows these accomplishments, but he worked to protect our lands and resources long before we knew how important it would be come.

2. Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)

One of our earliest environmentally aware presidents, Theodore Roosevelt created 50 wildlife refuges and 5 national parks during his time in office. He also personally lobbied Congress for wilderness protection, and oversaw the creation of the U.S. Forest Service. As an asthmatic youth, he was able to appreciate nature, and thus worked to popularize respect for nature, and proper use of resources.

3. Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)

In terms of the Progressive Era, Wilson is often revered as a leading intellectual, and one of the country’s brightest presidents of all time. In addition to overseeing the creation of the National Forest Act, he increased government oversight of corporate America, which helped align current environmental protections.

4. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1932-1945)

A commonly quoted president, one of his great lines, “The Nation that destroys its soil, destroys itself,” was written in a letter to state governors in 1933, and his New Deal did a lot to support environmentalism. Despite a tumultuous time in American history, FDR was still able to shed a serious light on wildlife management and soil protection.

5. John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)

It’s reported that JFK was greatly influenced by the groundbreaking book, Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson, which also lead to greatly influence the founder of Earth Day a decade later. Kennedy was the first president to create a committee for investigating pesticides and their impact on health and the environment. One of the hottest eco-topics of today’s political landscape, it’s safe to say that companies such as Monsanto wouldn’t have stood a chance during JFK’s term.

6. Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)

Picking up where Kennedy left off, Lyndon B. Johnson is often underrated, despite his efforts for the environment. Johnson’s Great Society encouraged not only social issues, but also environmental initiatives. With a tireless advocate for the protection of natural resources by his side, Johnson was forced to follow in Lady Bird Johnson’s footsteps when it came to wilderness conservation and forms of reducing consumption. Johnson signed the Wilderness Act in 1964, and supported urban renewal, beautification, and conservation.

7. Richard Nixon (1969-1974)

Constantly rated as the country’s most disliked president, Richard Nixon is not remembered fondly. However, it’s hard to overlook the fact that he signed some of the most important environmental legislation in U.S. history into law. He signed numerous environmental acts including the Endangered Species Act, the Toxic Substances Act, and the bills leading up to the Environmental Protection Act, as a response to the first ever Earth Day on April 22, 1970.

8. Jimmy Carter (1977-1987)

Most lists are willing to put Jimmy Carter on the top of the list. After the turmoil of the 1960’s, good ol’ Jimmy came in on a wave of eco-love and anti-Nixon. As the hippies of the previous decade grew up, environmental protection was a cause they still believed in, and it showed itself in Carter’s 8-year tenure in the Oval Office. In his first year in office, Carter established the Department of Energy, as his response to the OPEC oil embargo. He often called on the people to drastically ramp up energy conservation and efficiency, which was a radical idea at the time.

9. William Clinton (1993-2001)

Considering his running mate, Clinton had the potential to do a lot more for the environment during his time in office, but we all know his priorities were slightly skewed. Regardless, he still had a pretty successful term. With his right-hand man at the helm, the Clinton administration increased the EPA’s budget, and preserved almost 5 million acres of land. His eco-friendliness was certainly considered sub-par when he sold out to some of the business interests of the time, but this isn’t enough to kick him out of the top ten, considering how little so many other presidents have done.

10. Honorable Mention: Al Gore (Vice President 1993-2001, President-Elect 2000)

Although he never made it to the top, he got about as close as you can get without moving in, and he’s definitely the most eco-friendly politician to ever get that close to the core. Al Gore is personal responsible for our current awareness and understanding of climate change, global warming, and how they affect our environment. He rounds out our top ten with an honorable mention for his sheer effectiveness in affecting change among the hearts and minds of the American people.

Sources:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/greenest-presidents-460808

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/politics/photos/6-eco-friendly-presidents/thomas-jefferson

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/businesspolitics/the-5-most-environmentally-friendly-presidents-in-us-history/857

http://ecohearth.com/eco-zine/eco-heroes/1613-green-presidents-most-environmental-us-presidents.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_presidents

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Carbon Jargon – Understanding Your Carbon Footprint

Posted on May 4, 2012 by caitlinself

Carbon footprint is a pretty trendy term of the last decade, but how many people actually know what it is and where it comes from? It’s a hot topic of debate among environmentalists, and a buzzword in most discussions regarding climate change and global warming; it’s relatively easy to explain, but not quite so easy to reduce. In an effort to help everyone change their lifestyles, we’ve made it easy to understand your carbon footprint, and what you can do to help.

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you grasp the meaning behind these green buzz words, and figure out the best way to get involved.

Carbon Emissions

Carbon emissions are bad. They are bad for the air we breathe, the ecosystems we affect, and the planet on which we live. Most carbon emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels, which we are all contributing to on a daily basis. It’s not to say that you’re lighting things on fire in your backyard every morning over coffee, but every time you turn anything on (car, light switch, computer, etc.) you’re creating carbon emissions. Most people don’t realize how computerized and digitized our society has become, but individuals and companies are both to blame for these high emissions numbers.

Greenhouse Gases

You may also hear a lot about greenhouse gases, several of which come from natural sources, in addition to human creation. Greenhouse gases absorb and emit radiation, trapping excess heat in the environment, which leads to the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide is one of these gases, and is the biggest offender. Other greenhouse gases include ozone, methane, and nitrous oxide, but they don’t come close to causing the kinds of warming effects of CO2. All of these greenhouse gases drastically alter the temperature of the Earth’s surface, and without them, our planet’s surface would be almost 60 degrees Fahrenheit colder than its current temperature. Carbon dioxide emissions are primarily responsible for the phenomenon of global warming.

Carbon Footprint

A carbon footprint is the total load a person, business, or industry has on the emissions, including both input and output. For example, you can try to calculate your contribution to global warming by figuring in the energy, materials, and amount of gas you use in any given day. Anything involving fossil fuels, natural gas, petroleum, and coal emits a great deal of carbon, and our heating, cooling, and transportation costs are among the largest contributors. The global average carbon footprint numbers are anywhere from 4-6 tons of CO2 per year, while the average in North America is as high as 28 tons per year.

Source: http://carbonfund.org/offset/individuals

Carbon Offsets

In order to reduce your carbon footprint, you can either lower or somehow offset your carbon emissions. There are plenty of ways to do both, and most environmentally friendly individuals and companies use a combination of both methods to find a cost efficient way to offset atmosphere destruction.  Carbon offsets are a relatively new way of clearing your own guilty conscience in the carbon emissions game.

Reducing Energy Use

The absolute best way to reduce carbon emissions and stop global warming is to change your habits. You can start by reducing your energy consumption at home, running the dishwasher only when it’s full, line-drying your clothes, and using energy efficient appliances. It’s about more than saving money and electricity; it’s about saving our planet.

When you’re able to make choices between different brands and products, the vote you cast at the register makes a huge difference in how companies respond and adapt to consumers’ desires. Rather than purchasing 50 Ziploc bags every month, consider taking your lunch to work in a reusable container, or even opting for bags made from recyclable or biodegradable materials. You can also opt for carbon-friendly raw materials, and opt for hemp or bamboo products.

Purchasing Carbon Offsets

The second best method is to offset your carbon footprint when you aren’t able to reduce or alter your methods. There are simple ways to make a big difference, such as planting trees, or supporting only companies that offset their own emissions. You can also simply purchase your own carbon offsets. Essentially, you can donate money to fund carbon-reduction projects, to plant trees, and to get alternative energy options onto the mainstream market. Most carbon-offset programs allow you to choose your carbon offset type, helping you to really control what types of offsets you’re purchasing. There are plenty of organizations that make it easy to see the average household’s annual carbon output, and also calculate how everything leads to carbon emissions – from your 250-person wedding, to your favorite foreign produce and products.

Being Local and Sustainable

If you’re not into buying carbon offsets, the next best thing is to reduce your use and consumption of fossil fuels. This includes choosing local produce when it’s in season, rather than buying tomatoes and strawberries from halfway across the world. Local sustainability is one of the best ways to slowly but surely offset your own carbon emissions, without altering your lifestyle much at all.

Sources:

http://www.carbonjar.com/carbonoffsets.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_emissions

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2011/02/10/CarbonWeb.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/co2.html

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/carbon-emissions2.htm

 

 

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Strand-Woven Bamboo Flooring

Posted on May 2, 2012 by guillermobravo

Not all bamboo floors are created equal. There are many different variables to consider, such as the manufacturer’s methods, the soft or hardness of the floor, and the style that matches your current home décor.

Strand woven bamboo is often considered the strongest and most eco-friendly type of bamboo flooring. While some methods, such as carbonization, can soften bamboo flooring, the method used to create strand-woven bamboo flooring results in a floor that is up to twice as strong as oak, the most commonly used tree material for hardwood floors.

There are some differences in the methods for making strand woven bamboo, compared to regular bamboo flooring. Regular flooring involves four main steps as outlined below.

  1. First Step: Regular flooring is made from a variety of bamboo species, and the first step of making flooring after harvesting the bamboo is to cut the shoots into long strips, from top to bottom.
  2. Second Step: After the strips are cut, they are boiled in water in order to remove the sugars from the bamboo plant. Though the live bamboo plant is able to resist most pests, the lingering sugars in bamboo shoots can actually be attractive to termites.
  3. Third Step: After being boiled for a certain length of time, these bamboo strips are dried for as long as necessary to remove all natural and added moisture from the boiling process.
  4. Fourth Step: Finally, theses dried bamboo strips are glued and flattened together under high pressure, then cut and laminated in the vertical or horizontal style.

Strand Woven Flooring

On the other hand, strand woven bamboo flooring is made using the bamboo fibers, instead of the flattened strips. Rather than cutting the bamboo plants into planks, they are softened and pulled apart in strips. The other major steps in the process are relatively similar.

Moso is considered the best species of bamboo for making strand woven flooring, and after it is harvested, the shoots of bamboo are separated into strands, and then boiled to remove the sugars that tempt termites. These strips are subjected to heat and pressure, and result in a timber-like plank of strand woven bamboo. The entire bamboo plant is used, eliminating waste. Additionally, the excess pieces of bamboo from traditional bamboo flooring are often used to make strand-woven bamboo. This is one of the main reasons it is considered the most eco-friendly type of bamboo flooring.

The resulting planks resemble regular blocks of timber, and can be cut and shaped as such, then woven into bamboo flooring.

Benefits of Strand-Woven Bamboo

  1. Stronger: The durability of strand-woven bamboo flooring is unmatched, making it the best choice for high-traffic areas.
  2. Result in Less Waste: Since the wasted pieces of traditional flooring are used in this strand-woven method, and there is no additional waste created, this type of flooring results the least amount of waste.
  3. Lowest Formaldehyde Levels: In any hardwood flooring process, formaldehyde is used as a binding agent. Strand-woven bamboo flooring uses the lowest amount of formaldehyde in the industry.
  4. Moisture Resistant: Due to the processing methods, strand-woven flooring is more moisture-resistant than traditional bamboo flooring, which can greatly increase the lifespan of your floor.

When it comes to choosing bamboo flooring for your home, it is important to look at each aspect to decide which is best for your needs. Strand-woven and traditional bamboo flooring styles both have the benefits of eco-friendliness and renewability, so whichever option you select will have lasting benefits for the environment and your home.

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Bambooki is on Living Social!

Posted on April 30, 2012 by guillermobravo

living socialFor the next 72 hours, lucky bamboo lovers can enjoy the best organic bamboo products at a ridiculously reduced price. As part of our Living Social offer, we’re giving you the chance to get $40 worth of products for a mere $20; that’s a 50% discount!

This deal is available for first-time shoppers and Bambooki.com-lovers alike. Once you browse through over 1000 eco-friendly products made from this renewable and sustainable material, you’ll never go back to your carbon-heavy ways.

For those of you who are new to the bamboo scene, you’ll be pleased to learn just how eco-friendly, practical, and durable this rapidly renewable material is. Without sacrificing style or quality, bamboo is the most versatile of eco-friendly materials, and can be used in almost every industry known to man. With a softness comparable to silk, 100% bamboo fabric is great for a variety of clothes, towels, bedding, and curtains. Bamboo cutting boards and kitchen items are easy to clean and quick to dry, while the furniture and Tiki bars are known for having a tensile strength comparable to steel.

Bamboo products are not just for the home. There are numerous office supplies, such as keyboards and mice, as well as products for on-the-go lifestyles, such as headphones and iPad covers. Grab your eco friendly accessories and jump on your bamboo bike for the greenest work commute on the planet.

This Living Social deal applies to every product on the site, including kitchenware, clothing, accessories, furniture, bedding, and more! We’ve got some of the top brands in the business at affordable prices, making it easier than ever to convert to an eco-friendly lifestyle, without sacrificing your quality of life.

Check out the great products available right here at Bambooki.com, and be sure to grab your $20 discount through Living Social!

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Eco-Friendly Bamboo Flowerpots by Bamboo Ecoline

Posted on April 27, 2012 by caitlinself

Greening your life is about the products you choose to buy, the foods you choose to eat, and the way you live your life. We often look at the aspects of our manmade lives when we try to pare it down to the greenest essentials, but what about our natural environment, including our yards, gardens, and even houseplants? We may do our best to use natural pesticides and organic plant foods, but what about the materials we use? Most plants are moved in disposable plastic containers, while many elaborate flowerpots are about as far from eco-friendly as they can get.

People are paying more and more attention to these issues, and one company in particular makes it possible to have your greenery inside, without causing further damage to the environment. Whether purchasing plants, growing them from seeds, or transplanting them throughout your house, yard, and garden, Bamboo Ecoline provides a full line of EcoPots to suit your household needs!

What are EcoPots?

Made from bamboo, EcoPots are eco-friendly and biodegradable flowerpots, nursery pots, and candleholders. These decorative and responsible EcoPots give consumers high-quality, yet eco-friendly choices for displaying their favorite plants. In order to make eco-friendly pots that biodegrade, and meet Safe Drinking Water Acts, Bamboo Ecoline makes these pots from the by-products of bamboo powder, grain husks, crop stalks, and naturally binding agents.

These EcoPots are very durable and versatile, and last in outdoor or indoor environments for up to five years. The high-strength, heat-resistant, waterproof, non-flammable, non-toxic pots can be used for either flower planters or table vases, and will biodegrade in the proper environment! Save a step and simply plant the EcoPots in your fertilized yard or garden and watch nature take control! All pots fully biodegrade within a year.

Who is Bamboo Ecoline?

These eco-smart pots and vases were carefully designed by an ex-corporate drone, who was looking to make a difference in the world, one simple step at a time. Bamboo Ecoline was founded in 2010, and has been providing consumers with a conscience with eco-friendly options ever since.

The pots themselves are made from biodegradable materials, but the process is just as eco-friendly. Manufacturers in China source locally for the plant-based materials, and there is very limited electricity and water used in the production process. Bamboo Ecoline ensures that their manufacturing plant is audited and surpasses government regulations. The factory is also respectful of fair trade regulation, making it socially responsible as well as eco-friendly.

Bamboo Ecoline is yet another brand that Bambooki.com is proud to provide to its customers at the best prices around. These EcoPots come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, to suit any indoor or outdoor flower arrangement. Pair the Tapered Flower EcoPot with a fun and funky Tiki bar, or display it in your bathroom surrounded by other eco-friendly design accessories.

Check out our selection of great bamboo flowerpots right here on Bambooki.com, and reduce your carbon footprint with every eco-friendly purchase.

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Why Gas Prices Are Too Damn High (Infographic)

Posted on April 25, 2012 by caitlinself

Everyone complains about the rising cost of gas prices, and they blame it on anything from high taxes to the war on terror. What many people don’t realize is that gas prices are made up of several components, and the main chunk of cost depends on the global demand for oil, which includes how much is being used here at home.

The average cost of gas per gallon is currently hovering around $3.981. While a portion of that goes to distribution, marketing, and refining, just 12.2% goes to taxes, and the remaining $3.003 is the cost of crude oil. While taxes do play a role, we can look to our neighbors, near and far, to explain why gas is so expensive. For example, China has tripled its number of cars on the road in just three short years. Global instability (such as foreign wars) does affect oil supplies, and can increase the prices you see at the pump. The infographic below clearly outlines some of the major spikes in oil prices over the last few decades, and there’s a direct correlation between wars or disasters and oil prices.

When gas goes up by a mere penny, oil companies rake in an astounding $200 million in profits. These same oil companies enjoy tax breaks of up to $4 billion each year if they refine and distribute, which equates to an hourly of $4,700,000. The average U.S. hourly income in 2011 was just $23.16.

How can you avoid the hikes in prices? Well, you can’t really, but you can do your best to limit your use as much as possible. Rather than participating in this oil-hungry circus, turn to public transportation, carpooling, and hybrid or electric cars. The price of gas will keep going up, and the oil companies will keep getting richer.  Take a look at the infographic below for more details on why gas prices are just so damn high.

Why Gas Prices Are Too High
Created by: Online Bachelor Degree Programs

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