Comments on: How Green Is Bamboo Fabric?

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:34:35 +0000

The truth is, there is pros and cons to every ‘eco-fabric’. Just as we shouldn’t count out organic cotton due to its high water dependency we shouldn’t count out bamboo because of a more involved production process. I believe in baby steps; when consumers make eco conscious choices the industry sees that this is a profitable way to do business. As it becomes more profitable technology improves and governing regulations develop.

I think it’s important to note that there is more than one way of producing bamboo fabric. Unfortunately it’s up to the designer and consumer to do their own research into where their specific fabric came from. As a fashion designer who uses bamboo-viscose in my designs, I strive to provide my customers with truthful information about where my fabric comes from. While some processes are high in chemicals others use natural enzymes or other non-toxic substances to extract the fibers. While there is no international regulations there are reputable certifications to look for such as Oeko-Tex Standard 100.

By: margie robinson

margie robinson — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:32:08 +0000

Just wondering if you know of any green or fair trade bamboo yarn we can use in weaving some baby articles? I thought I had a source, but turned out not to be any good.

By: Fabulous Fabrics: Why Bamboo Often Isn’t : Crafting a Green World

Fabulous Fabrics: Why Bamboo Often Isn’t : Crafting a Green World — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:41:47 +0000

[...] answer is often chemicals. As the Organic Clothing blog and Victoria Everman have reported, a little bit of bamboo fabric is made by mechanical means in a very labor intensive [...]

By: Question about bamboo? - Nappycino Forum

Question about bamboo? - Nappycino Forum — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:59:17 +0000

[...] the Fiber Bamboo clothes, eco fashion – The Green Guide – read particularly the last paragraph.. Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, Creative, Enlightened Living :: San Francisco ? Blog Archive ? How … The last link says that Bamboo is only grown in China, and I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure Meg [...]

By: Carnival of Modern Home Dwelling Day Five: Green Living at Today’s Homemaker

Mon, 19 May 2008 15:40:55 +0000

[...] made with bamboo fabric for its “green” properties? Victoria Everman presents an well-thought-out article outlining the pros and [...]

By: Fabulous Fabrics: PM Organics Fabrics and Lace : Crafting a Green World

Fabulous Fabrics: PM Organics Fabrics and Lace : Crafting a Green World — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:34:09 +0000

[...] in 2005 called Tencel: Sustainable but not necessarily healthy. It turns out that just like with bamboo, there are parts of the process in making lyocell that aren’t as green as we wish they were. [...]

By: Leslie @ the oko box

Leslie @ the oko box — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:23:25 +0000

I think there are pros and cons to any and all textile production. Whenever something needs to be grown & manufactured there will always be an enivonmental & political issue. The cotton takes up water & food crop space, the bamboo takes chemicals to process, vegans can’t wear wool because of animal treament, tecnel requires chemical treatment, and even hemp does too – to turn in into a textile. I think that balancing our modern lives & sound eco choices can be challenging, but I like to see that we are moving forward, at least away from chemical fabrics such as polyester & nylon which cause tons of pollution all the way around. Choosing the right eco textile has become a really personal & intimate choice based on each person’s beliefs.

By: Hyena

Hyena — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:37:49 +0000

Victoria, would you have any clue where to find bamboo fabric?
I did a lot of research and apparently when putting all the info together this might be in the end the only eco-friendly affordable fabric.

I find out that BambooFabric Store, but I am a little wary about ordering from them. I don’t know why, but everything I order from NY always end up a nightmare!

You are saying the best alternative is organic cotton, but cotton is sucking up water in huge amount, and this will be another big challenge of the next years…Water supplies.

By: Amie

Amie — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 01:21:30 +0000

I’m so glad to see you posted the cons of Bamboo fabric…it is so soft and touted to be so environmentally friendly that its hard to acknowledge that it might be bad.

The reality of it is…if you take a bamboo textile and do lab analysis there is almost no bamboo fiber left after it has been transformed from a plant to a textile.

Way to go Victoria-e!

By: pretty crafty thing

pretty crafty thing — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 08:52:53 +0000

this is great info to have victoria. thanks again for your insight!

By: Harmony

Harmony — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:38:57 +0000

Thank you for addressing this issue in such a thorough and thoughtful way. I hope they soon figure out a way to process bamboo in a eco-friendly manner. Until they do… I am sticking with organic cotton.

By: Exercise » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric?

Exercise » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric? — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 03:41:45 +0000

[...] tunya wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptDue to the fabric’s natural structure, bamboo is very breathable, helping the wearer to stay cool in the summer and warmer in the winter, making it perfect for layers and exercise wear. Thanks to a natural agent in the plant itself, … [...]

By: Green Thumb » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric?

Green Thumb » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric? — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 01:14:13 +0000

[...] noblacklove wrote an interesting post today on How Green Is Bamboo Fabric?Here’s a quick excerpt…The Chinese have hundreds of generations of experience in growing bamboo – so far, a number of Americans have begun to try grow their own in their backyard, quickly finding that this tall grass can easily overtake all of their land. … [...]

By: Clothing » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric?

Clothing » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric? — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:45:38 +0000

[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptFound in your favorite Chinese dishes and on the floors of many modern homes, bamboo has made its way into another key aspect of our lives – clothing. Green fabrics from organic cotton and wool to those even made from corn and seaweed, … [...]

By: Kityon.Com » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric?

Kityon.Com » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric? — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:49:32 +0000

[...] wrote an interesting post today on How Green Is Bamboo Fabric?Here’s a quick [...]

By: Health Tips Blog » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric?

Health Tips Blog » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric? — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:38:17 +0000

[...] Here is an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThese chemicals can cause a plethora of health problems and neural disorders for the manufacturing workers. With no Fair Trade certifications or sustainable production credentials, a developing nation like China rarely (if at all) uses … [...]

By: Modeling » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric?

Modeling » How Green Is Bamboo Fabric? — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:02:22 +0000

[...] admin wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptFound in your favorite Chinese dishes and on the floors of many modern homes, bamboo has made its way into another key aspect of our lives – clothing. Green fabrics from organic cotton and wool to those even made from corn and seaweed, … [...]