The Benefits of Bamboo

Bamboo is an environmental wonder plant. Requiring very little water or fertilizer to grow, bamboo is fast-growing and very hardy. Bamboo is also good for the environment as it absorbs and stores large amounts of carbon dioxide in its vast root system.

Why is bamboo sustainable?

Anyone who has ever planted bamboo in their yard can attest to the fact that bamboo grows rapidly and can easily reforest. Because it can be harvested annually, it reduces any clear cutting compared to timber, which is vulnerable to illegal logging. Bamboo reaches full maturity in 10 years or less, unlike timber which can take a minimum of 15 years and up to 80 years.

Benefits of bamboo

Bamboo can store a lot of carbon

In fact, the most important aspect of bamboo carbon storage is underground because of the extensive root system and carbon captured in the soil layer. Two different studies cited below found that 1/3 of the carbon storage is in the above ground bamboo shoots (known as culms) and vegetative layer and the remaining 2/3 is stored below ground within the soil layer (roots and soil carbon). The regular and selective harvesting of bamboo culms doesn’t kill the plant and the below-ground carbon is not emitted as the bamboo forest continues to live on after harvest. So, the below ground carbon storage continues to sequester bamboo even after harvest and that regular, annual harvests of bamboo increase carbon sequestration capacity through the biomass and soil.

Sourcing: FSC® Certified - Why Does it Matter?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) is recognized as the most trusted forest management certification. FSC sets the standards in environmental protection of sustainably managed forests. Criteria include protecting water quality, prohibiting harvest of rare old growth forests, preventing loss of natural forest cover, and prohibiting highly hazardous chemicals during the growing process. FSC also protects wildlife and the communities that surround the forests. We proudly source bamboo paper products that are FSC Certified, in addition our NoTree Bamboo cutlery is also FSC certified.

What products do we make with bamboo?

World Centric offers a complete NoTree® product line made with bamboo paperboard and lined with plant-based plastic which includes hot cups, cold cups, containers and bowls. We also introduced bamboo cutlery made of 100% FSC® certified bamboo with no linings or fillers, in 2023. See all of our bamboo products here.

Why is bamboo foodware a compostable item?

• It is a material of natural origin
• Meets the USDA BioPreferred program for being derived from biobased carbon
• Positively contributes to compost as a carbon source, especially when it has any food residual.
• Bamboo paperboard and cutlery are not chemically modified
• Does not violate any feedstock acceptance with the National Organic Program, most composters that have a permit to accept mixed materials are able to accept bamboo foodware into commercial compost facilities.
• Known for its functionality and ability to break down - a win win!

Citations

Yiping, L., Yanxia, L., Buckingham, K., Henley, G. & Guomo, Z. (2010). Bamboo and Climate Change Mitigation. INBAR Technical Report no. 32. International Network for Bamboo and Rattan: Beijing, China.

Zhou, G. M. & Jiang, P. K., (2004). Density, storage and spatial distribution of carbon in Phyllostachys pubescens forest. Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 6: 20-24. (In Chinese with English summary).