Why Renewable Materials

Why A Renewable Ideas Company

At bambu, we design and create home and lifestyle products made from renewable resources. We believe ‘renewables’ are the most sustainable, least impactful materials we can create beautiful functional products from.

Made from Renewable Materials

Renewable materials are defined as substances derived from trees, plants or ecosystems which have the ability to regenerate themselves. Only when natural resources are managed and processed responsibly can renewable materials claim to be sustainable.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a highly renewable material. It is one of the earth’s fastest growing plants. Bamboo needs no replanting, grows without fertilizers or pesticides and is harvested from controlled stands with an astounding growth cycle of three to five years.

Bamboo truly is a remarkable renewable resource. It is a centuries old material that has been and continues to be used by over half the world’s population for applications as varied as food, shelter, fuel and clothing. These applications make bamboo a vital non-timber, non-petroleum resource. With a tensile strength superior to steel, it is one of the most versatile and durable natural resources in the world.

Cork

Cork is another remarkable renewable natural resource. The cork we use is sourced from the Qin Ling Mountains of Northern China. It is harvested sustainably every 10 to 12 years from the Cork Oak tree.

Cork provides a valuable source of income to thousands of people. The harvesting of cork does not harm the tree and the outer bark quickly regenerates and the tree continues to flourish, generally improving the trees health and vitality during its average 150-200 year lifespan. The tree plays a vital role in balancing an ecosystem. Cork forests are essential to preventing soil erosion, maintaining water resources and storing CO2. Contrary to common perception, cork is in abundant supply.

Coconut

Coconuts are an abundant renewable resource grown throughout the tropics for decoration as well as for its many culinary and non-culinary uses; virtually every part of the coconut palm has some application, including the coconut shell, a waste by-product.

The coconut shell we source is obtained in Southern Vietnam. It is harvested for its meat and for its milk. The shells are often tossed or burned. We reclaim the shells and then follow a laborious process to prepare them.