1. Bamboo clothes

Bamboo is incredibly soft

That's just the way it is, naturally. Wearing a bamboo T-shirt for example, is like wearing cashmere, but for next to the skin.

Bamboo is smooth and luxuriously comfortable

At a microscopic level, bamboo fibre has a round surface. Because of this, it's very smooth and sits perfectly next to the skin. Petrol based synthetic fibres can sometimes irritate the skin and they also start to smell really quickly!

'Bamboo Dry'

Wicks away moisture keeping you comfortable and dry. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, mainly because it has extraordinary water absorbency which helps it to grow fast. In fabric form it retains this unique, remarkable property. It's 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton. It 'wicks' away moisture from the body which then evaporates, keeping you - naturally - drier and more comfortable. When combined with 'Bamboo Thermo-control' qualities, you have an incredibly flexible addition to your wardrobe.

'Bamboo Cool' 2-3 degrees cooler in warm weather

Bamboo is remarkably breathable. In the heat, bamboo is naturally cool to the touch and this property is maintained in its fabric form. The cross-section of the bamboo fibre is filled with various micro-gaps and micro-holes. It has much better moisture absorption and ventilation. With this unparalleled micro-structure, bamboo clothing can - to a point, obviously - absorb and evaporate human sweat in a split second. As such, bamboo clothing makes people feel cooler and more comfortable in hot weather. It never sticks to the skin. According to authoritative testing figures, clothing made from bamboo fibres are around 2 degrees lower than normal clothingin hot weather. It's also very warm in cold weather, because of the same micro structure.

'Bamboo Fresh' – Antibacterial function

Bamboo is antibacterial, antifungal and anti-static. In the wild, bamboo thrives naturally without using any pesticides or fertilisers. It is seldom eaten by pests or infected by pathogens. Why? Scientists found that bamboo owns a unique anti- bacteria and bacteriostatic bio-agent named "bamboo Kun". This substance bonds tightly with bamboo cellulose molecules during the normal process of bamboo fibre growth. This natural feature is retained in fabric form.

Bamboo clothing is strong and durable.

Repeated tests show this, and also that bamboo fibre has a high abrasion-proof capacity and also tenacity. The same bamboo used for scaffolding to build skyscrapers in Hong Kong was always going to be strong!

For sensitive or allergy prone skin, bamboo is perfect

• Lack of harsh chemical treatments which can irritate skin
• Fibre is smooth and round, so is a non-irritant
• Naturally occurring, antibacterial 'bamboo Kun' resists the spread of bacteria on the skin without any adverse effects, such as abrasion or irritation.

Better for the Environment

• Bamboo is 100% naturally grown, without assistance from man. Our bamboo is 100% sustainable
• Bamboo thrives naturally without using any pesticides or fertilizers
• The whole distilling and pulping process is as natural as we can make it.
• Bamboo fibre is 100% biodegradable
• As the fastest growing plant in the world, bamboo grows to its maximum height in about 3 months and reaches maturity in 3-4 years. It spreads rapidly across large areas. Because of this, bamboo is known to improve soil quality in degraded and eroded areas of land.
• If organic clothing made from bamboo becomes popular, it means more bamboo plantations, which means more photosynthesis and less greenhouse gas. "The greatest challenge facing mankind" would get just a little easier.

BENEFITS OF BAMBOO CLOTHING

The environmental benefits of bamboo clothing are numerous. Bamboo plants are very quick growers and do not require fertilisers or pesticides for a successful crop. They also require very little water and they can survive drought conditions as well as flooding. Bamboo is a sustainable and renewable resource as the bamboo plant is self-replenishing. New shoots are continuously growing, ready to replace the old ones.

Another benefit of bamboo is that it releases a significant amount of oxygen into the atmosphere, more so than trees. Planting bamboo can help reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the air as well as reducing soil erosion and desertisation. The complex root system of bamboo plants makes them an excellent choice for planting in high erosion areas such as riverbanks and areas subject to mud slides. They are also suitable for planting in areas which have suffered significant soil degradation and deforestation.

2. FSC certificate (FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL)

The textiles industry is rapidly adopting renewable materials for products such as clothing and bed linen. Man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCFs) are derived from wood and represent one of the fastest growing fibres in the last decade. These fibres include viscose, modal, and lyocell.

The FSC label identifies responsibly sourced forest products, and can be applied to fabrics, clothing, footwear, packaging and tags made from FSC-certified materials.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-profit organization. Their goal is to protect forests for future generations. They do so by setting standards for “responsibly managed forests that offer environmental, social, and economic benefits.”

The FSC was founded in 1993, after the 1992 Earth Summit failed to create a solid plan to tackle global deforestation. The first assembly was held in Canada, and a year later, the FSC was legally established in Mexico. Soon after, the certification grew internationally to Sweden, and then to Germany. With the threat of deforestation presenting worldwide danger to essential ecosystems, the FSC worked to create a global solution.

Being certified means that a product has been made with material from responsibly managed forests. FSC products support sustainable forests. And, the people that live and work in them. In these forests, wood and bamboo are grown without the use of hazardous chemicals. Some, like atrazine, are legal in the United States even though they’re known to pollute water sources.

To meet the FSC certification requirements, forests and the companies who manage them are subject to an independent audit. In order to pass, 10 principles and 57 criteria must be met. The principles require a clear and sustainable forest management plan, respect for indigenous rights, and a focus on environmental impact that maintains natural ecosystems. And these are just some of the standard. Then, the forests are assessed each year to ensure its being properly managed. FSC- certified wood suppliers do a lot, but it’s worth it.