bambu Veneerware backstory

bambu Veneerware is the original ‘natural disposable’ range of dinnerware of choice for countless events, occasions and meals since first introducing bamboo plates to the the market over eight years ago. These unique, elegant bamboo dinnerware range has sparked interest, compliments and questions from a lot of people. We wanted to share the ‘back story’ of our bambu All Occasion Veneerware® plates and cutlery by creating this visual depiction with the help of artist, Arlene Birt, to illustrate our ‘Soil to Soil’ full cycle story. The simple graphic style presents our story that begins in the hills of China that we fondly refer to as ‘bamboo mountain.’  The bamboo we use is grown in the wild, not from plantations. Small plots of land are leased to individual farmers who harvest the bamboo with simple hand tools. The bamboo is harvested after three to five years.

Our bamboo is harvested using sustainable farming practices. No pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals are introduced to the growing or harvesting of the bamboo, which is grown in the wild. bambu is the only company to be able to make the claim that our bamboo is organically grown and certified.

Our bamboo products are enjoyed by thousands of people, and used for all types of occasions. The most common question we get asked is, ‘can we use them more than once?’ The short answer is ‘Yes.’ The FDA requires us to designate these products as single-use. But like any disposable plate, you can decide. We do not apply any finish or seal on them, so when you introduce liquid, they will begin to break down – which is exactly what these bamboo plates are supposed to do! So, cheese and crackers or sandwiches, or snacks, wipe ‘em clean, and use them again and again. If you are hosting a party or catering an event, using bambu Veneerware can save you money too – here’s how – check out the savings.

The best part of the bambu Veneerware story is when you are finished with these bamboo plates, and they go back into the soil and compost down. That’s when the full cycle works best. And that is why we encourage all bambu Veneerware customers to Consider Composting. We do recognize, that if there was a weak link to our ‘Soil to Soil’ process, it is the fact that we transport our bamboo plates from China to the US by large vessel. Not perfect perhaps, but still better than many alternatives. Read Inhabitat’s Compost Report on our bambu Veneerware®. Clean and green.

NEW USDA CERTIFICATION

We are pleased to share that our All Occasion Veneerware® has also been recognized with the industry’s first BioBased certification granted by the USDA. Biobased products are preferred over others, because of their proven biodegradability and low environmental impact. More information is available here and here.

Green, elegant, durable, beautiful and biodegradable.

Serve it up green, safe and clean, and certified good.

We have shared a few stories on the pages of this blog of how artists have used bamboo in creative ways, and in interesting settings.

A few of our favorites….

The Big Bambu installation atop of The Met in NY. Story is here. is magnificent example that we personally visited.

We also spotted an artist in Germany acquiring and using our own Bamboo Pebbles to create this Pebbles sculpture here. Interesting.

Or this story closer to home here in Shanghai using bamboo chopsticks. here.

Well, below is an extraordinary feat of imagination and precision and entertainment….stands alone.  Scott Weaver’s amazing piece, made with over 100,000 toothpicks over the course of 35 years…this deserves a watch!

VIDEO LINK HERE

Another extraordinary installation and creative interpretation using bamboo.

[shot with iPhone 4, Time Lapse app, edited with iMovie, music by Komeda]

We were recently invited to CEIBS, [China European International Business School] to share our bambu story.   CEIBS in one of the Top 10 business schools in the world and the leading school in Asia. More on the university can be found here.

Jeff Delkin and Rachel Speth, the owners and founders of bambu were invited along with several other entrepreneurs and businesses in the green tech, social enterprise, and green consumer products sectors to speak to the graduate students.

We were asked to present our business story as part of a week long Responsible Leadership Forum. The topics included resource management, product life cycles, green industries, China manufacturing, and green consumerism in China.

We shared our early beginnings, what inspired us to begin BAMBU, and shared our business approach. We talked about the materials we use and continue to explore, and then shared our products and opened it up for discussion.

With this many bright business minds in one room, we had a lively Q&A about going green in China, the challenges we face, the emerging trends, and several product and marketing ideas were kicked around.  The folks from OgilvyEarth presented research on the new China consumer and some of the perceptions and realities in adopting new greener lifestyles. People tend to view themselves as ‘greener’ than their actions would mirror.

Among the several commonalities between Chinese consumers and other people around the world, is the value of third party endorsements. Certifications from recognition institutions and organizations help consumers navigate an increasingly confusing world of new products, new materials and new claims.

The other similarity is this. While aspects of ‘green’ and ‘eco-friendly’ are appreciated…and desired, design, appeal, and value continue to be the most important drivers to purchase. The very same conclusion we quickly came to when we first introduced our products to the US market in 2003.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Whether 3rd graders or grad students, it is always a blast to tell our story and share our story with students.

Give us Your Vote for Green Products Worth the Splurge….check it out here.

Green Products: Stuff iVillage Loves

This post brings it back home for us. While our products are used at a variety of campuses around the country, this one is particularly special.

Ford Alumni Center

The University of Oregon unveiled it’s newest architectural landmark last month. The new Ford Alumni Center in Eugene, Oregon opens its doors. The stunning new facility combines high tech ‘touch’ with natural materials, and energy-efficient design. The facility is expected to earn a LEED Gold certification.

The center is adjacent the new fabulous Matthew Knight Area east of campus.

The reasons this news finds itself posted in the bambu blog are twofold. The opening event included drinks and food, naturally.  And we are thrilled that the university selected our products for the opening.  The event was served on none other than our All Occasion Veneerware bamboo plates.  Our newest shape, the Square Plate was the plate of choice along with our bamboo accompaniments,  All Occasion Veneerware utensils and Sporks.

The other reason you are reading about it here, is that bambu cofounders, Rachel Speth & Jeff Delkin are graduates of the University of Oregon.

Jeff remarked, “It is great to connect with our school this way. We were thrilled our products were included and in an indirect way, we could be a part of this important event. It gives us a connection to the university,  event though we live and operate 8000 miles away from Eugene. We thank the UO Catering team for including us.”

‘Keeping Track of Sustainable Materials’ An important exhibit is now on display at the IOM3 Institute in London. The interactive display and  material exhibition explores the relationship between sustainability, materials, and knowledge transfer.

Curated by PhD researcher, Sarah Wilkes, the exhibit features over 16 companies. bambu was selected to present the company’s product, All Occasion Veneerware, and showcase the lifecycle of the product from harvest to compost in illustrations.

Veneerware is the original ‘natural disposable’ dinnerware and is the only product made from Certified Organic, sustainably harvested bamboo.

Along with bambu, other companies on exhibit include -

• The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Finisterre
• GreenGlass
• InterfaceFLOR

Interface is a company that we have long admired. We encourage you to explore how Interface is among the real pioneers of integrating sustainability into their business model. Check out their impressive environmental record and progress here.

For a close up look of the bambu Veneerware back story told in pictures, see the illustration below.

From Soil to Table to Soil…..

bambu Veneerware backstory

We are thrilled to be able to participate in this London exhibition and help build awareness and knowledge in sustainability. We encourage you to learn more…

DINING BY DESIGN brings together internationally celebrated designers and local talent to create three dimensional dining installations that awe, inspire, and delight. See dining installation here from the highly successful 2009 event. These extraordinary dining environments are Extraordinary. Elegant. Lavish. Outlandish. Creative, Romantic. Whimsical, and Daring. One in particular is noteworthy for the sustainable thinking that was incorporated into his design installation.

Eric Corey Freed is among the renowned designers participating in this year’s event. Eric is Principle of Organic Architect, LEED accredited and is author of ‘Green Buildings for Dummies.’

Eric presents his design interpretation below. Eric brings some extraordinary and clean and green thinking to his design.

Dining Concept by Eric Corey Freed

Eric utilizes recycled glass, reclaimed fixtures, incorporates a vertical garden, among the ideas included in his design.

He decided that Veneerware bamboo plates would be the perfect dinnerware for his guests to eat from. Made from Certified Organic renewable bamboo. bambu is delighted to be included in this important design exhibition. Proceeds go to fight AIDS.

table setting - Veneerware plates by bambu

See below the design details and material listing for Eric’s design concept.

Here’s another scrap story.

First, Big Bambu and now, Small Bambu. Big Bambu was an installation art piece by the Starn brothers from Brooklyn. They constructed a fabulous structure of bamboo atop the Museum of Modern Art. We covered that in our bambu blog in the second part of our Sightings post, here. An article in the New York Times is here.

Small Bambu is a different creation. An installation of different scale…

The mystery of the numerous Bamboo Pebbles purchases has apparently been solved. At least partially.

Our friends at Green Pioneer share with us that a private customer from Germany has been buying an unusual amount of our bamboo Pebbles. bambu developed decorative Bamboo Pebbles as a way to utilize the excess material we have.

This particular customer in Germany is creating mini sculptures using our Pebbles and then photographing them. A few examples are below. It isn’t clear where this is headed.

Our Pebbles never looked so good. They are professionally lit. These creations highlight the varied and beautiful organic shapes. If anyone has been hiking and has ever come across trail stones that have been similarly stacked to mark a trailhead, or a marker to show a change of direction, that’s what these remind us of.

The best part. A reminder that you can make cool stuff happen with scrap. You can find Bamboo Pebbles from bambu, right here from our bambu Shop.