About Bamboo
As the
world’s industrial populations come to understand their real and negative
impact on the health of the global environment, and consequently, the health of
every living thing on earth, Spun Bamboo, is providing eco-friendly choices to
individuals that will have a positive impact on our planet. EcoDesignz does
this through the creation of consumer goods made from an amazing, versatile,
renewable resource: Bamboo.
Sustainability: EcoDesignz aspires to join the growing
movement toward producing and making goods available to the public that are
sustainable and which have the least impact on our delicate ecosystems. Imagine
these sustainable and biodegradable goods in the form of beautiful furniture,
super soft, attractive clothing and functional, elegant accessories developed
all from organic bamboo! Our goals also include minimal, recyclable and
biodegradable packaging.
EcoDesignz
and EcoThreadz founded in 2004 and 2005, respectively, by a husband-wife team
with a vision for providing the global economy with an earth friendly
alternative away from deforestation for flooring and furniture, and a natural
fiber option different from cotton and other fabrics, by providing these goods
in a beautiful, sustainable material - Bamboo.
More about Bamboo: Splendor
in the Grass; Bamboo is arguably one of the world’s best sustainable resources.
With a growth rate of up to a meter or more per day, bamboo holds the world
record as the fastest growing plant. And, bamboo is actually not a wood but a
grass, continuously sending up new shoots after harvesting without a need for
replanting. Bamboo can be utilized in just 4-5 years unlike traditional
hardwoods that not only take 25-70 years to mature, but also require
replanting.
Good for the Environment: Fighting
Global Warming; Bamboo takes in nearly 5 times the amount of greenhouse gasses,
and produces 35% more oxygen, than an equivalent stand of trees, making it an
efficient replenisher of fresh air. Energy from the sun reaches the earth as
short-wave radiation; some is absorbed and, historically, some is radiated back
as long-wave radiation. The increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in our
atmosphere trap an inordinate amount of long-wave radiation on earth. This
increase is attributable to human activity and its production of carbon dioxide
(CO2), a greenhouse gas. Human activity is also responsible for the severe
damage to earth’s ability to absorb CO2 as a result of the destruction of
forests and depletion of the ozone layer, which allows UV-B radiation to
destroy the oceanic plankton, one of the major filters for CO2.
By
encouraging the growth and utilization of bamboo, we can begin to combat global
warming. Bamboo removes CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis by using
carbon as an energy source and converting it into plant tissue which releases
oxygen as a by-product. Bamboo offers an opportunity to turn away from the
destruction of native forests towards managed commercial plantations that can
be selectively harvested annually without the destruction of the grove or
stand. While tree plantations must be chopped down for harvest, bamboo renews
itself by sending up new shoots constantly. The ability of bamboo to rapidly
take up excess nutrients contained in waste waters from manufacturing,
intensive livestock farming and sewerage plants has captured the attention of
industrial and municipal engineers seeking to establish environmentally safe
and reliable ways to deal with such issues.
Healthy Soil: Bamboo also stabilizes the earth with
its erosion preventing roots, and improves the health of the soil by
sequestering excess nitrogen. Cotton crops require wide spacing that allow bare
soils to bake and oxidize, releasing carbon into the atmosphere and decreasing
soil fertility. Further, bamboo retains water in the watershed, reduces runoff,
sustains riverbanks, and helps mitigate water pollution due to its high
nitrogen consumption.
Organic: Bamboo is also good for our
ecosystems because it does not require chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
Panda safe: Incidentally, there are over 1200
species of bamboo on this planet. All these products are manufactured from Moso
bamboo, which is not the species eaten by Pandas.
Bamboo Apparel: Clothing, Yarn and More! EcoThreadz
produces a natural fiber alternative to cotton, wool, hemp and synthetic fibers
like polyester and nylon, which is super soft, moisture wicking, and doesn't
harbor odor, under the trade name, Spun Bamboo®.
Fashion: Bamboo clothing is something special.
It drapes like silk, it feels as soft and good as silk, but it is more
practical because it is durable and much less expensive and versatile. Imagine
that, clothing that looks good, feels good and is good for the environment!
Better than cotton. “Bamboo is the new cotton...it has all
the properties that you physically want out of cotton, plus some. Bamboo is
more antibacterial than [other fabrics like] cotton or wool, which are very
absorbent and hold moisture in. Because Bamboo wicks moisture away, it’s great
for your circulation and skin.” LAtimes.com, September 25, 2005.
Super soft yet durable: Bamboo fiber is softer than the
softest cotton, has a natural sheen to the surface and feels similar to silk or
cashmere. But, it has a very high soil release value and is so durable; you can
throw it in the washer and drier.
Breathable: Due to bamboo fiber’s cross section
which is composed of a matrix with various microscopic gaps, bamboo fiber is
more breathable, comfortable and thermal regulating than cotton, wool or any
other synthetic fiber thereby keeping you cooler, drier and more comfortable
all day. This unique micro-structure allows bamboo apparel to absorb and
evaporate perspiration faster than any other fabric. It’s nice not to have your
clothes sticking to your skin in the hot summer or during exercise!
Hypoallergenic & UV Protection: Bamboo apparel is hypoallergenic.
Bamboo’s organic and natural fiber properties make it non-irritating to the
skin making it a pleasant alternative for anyone with skin sensitivities or
other allergies and dermatitis. Bamboo apparel also protects you from UV rays,
naturally.
Environment: Bamboo
apparel is good for our ecosystems because Bamboo does not require pesticides,
insecticides, or fertilizers, and does not involve the use of genetically
modified organisms (GMOs). In contrast, cotton crops are one of the most
intensely sprayed crops in the world receiving 3-5 times greater application of
pesticides per acre than other crops like corn or soybeans. The chemicals used
on the cotton crops are linked to ground and surface water contamination, and
even the pollution of drinking water (such nitrates from nitrogen fertilizer
are known to cause methemoglobinemia, or “blue baby syndrome” in infants).
Cotton crop pesticides are also the greatest crop contributor to volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) which contribute to low level ozone and smog
formation, increasing the greenhouse effect. These chemicals are also
documented as causing death and loss of reproductive ability in fish and
wildlife. It may surprise you to know that it takes about a pound of chemicals
to grow the cotton contained in a cotton t-shirt and pants.
Biodegradable: Bamboo fibers are biodegradable,
unlike synthetic textile fibers. Synthetic textile fibers are also made from
non-renewable petroleum, and can even emit harmful gasses when incinerated.
Almost all polyester/cotton blend fabrics are finished with formaldehyde, a
carcinogen, added to make fabrics wrinkle or flame resistant. Our bamboo blends
have no such chemical applications, and are all in compliance with, and have
passed, the Class 1 flammability requirements for JCPenny, PPS#10-0804, under
JCP-FL04-0902 and the Flammable Fabrics Act, 16 CFR, Chapter 11, Part 1610,
Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles.
Furniture, Flooring & Accessories:
EcoDesignz is making
positive steps towards reducing our dependence on dwindling timber resources by
producing and making available to the public high quality residential and
commercial furnishings and accessories produced entirely from bamboo.
Due to recent technological
advancements, it is now possible to convert raw bamboo culms into more
conventional lumber and plywood such that it can be used to build virtually
anything that traditionally has been made from wood. Our experience has shown
that bamboo products are highly appreciated because not only do their unique
grain and color add warmth and beauty not found in most hardwood products, but
more importantly bamboo’s incredibly fast growth cycle makes it an
environmentally sound and sustainable alternative for almost anything made from
wood, plastic or metal. And bamboo’s inherent strength and hardness actually
makes it a better option for many products such as tables, chairs and flooring.
Modern: Bamboo can be increasingly seen in
homes as flooring because of its exquisite beauty, durability and environmental
qualities. Bamboo is stronger than steel in tension, stronger than concrete in
compression, and more stable than red oak. Bamboo can withstand up to 52,000
pounds of pressure p.s.i.
Spun Bamboo designs
are contemporary in style, and have clean lines and sleek construction. This is
complimented by bamboo’s delicate and unique grain, created by “notch-like”
sections that are smooth, but give the look of a 3D image. EcoDesignz offers
both vertical and horizontal grains and two hues: a natural blonde and a
carbonized, caramel color, for strikingly beautiful effects.
No off Gassing: bamboo products are made with E-1
certified glue, which meets the tough European standards for off-gassing. Our
EcoDesignz furniture is virtually formaldehyde-free unlike other laminated
products, or furniture and floors with varnish or similar finishes that emit
formaldehyde long after manufacture.
For all these reasons: Bamboo is an excellent choice as a
raw material for some of the most highly produced consumables in the world
today. And by offering products every bit as good and in fact superior to what
is available to the general public now, there is no compromising necessary.
Buying bamboo offers an amazing alternative that will help in our march to stop
global warming and protect our precious ecosystems.
Spun Bamboo Products:
EcoDesignz’ high end, solid bamboo
furniture and flooring collection, including dining tables, coffee tables,
cabinets, chairs and chests, will add timeless and natural beauty to any room
or office.
The bamboo fiber clothing is second to
none, and totally performance driven. Spun
Bamboo is able to manufacture extraordinary garments that are perfect for all
climates, and include men’s and women’s shirts, tank tops, camisoles, sweaters,
hooded zip jackets, bottoms, yoga pants, sweaters, undergarments, sports bras
and athletic socks. We also produce the softest towels, bed sheets and knitting
yarn.
