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Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Free Sample Newsstand Locations Books Advertise Contribute Our Blog Editor's Commentary Back Issues Our Writers RSS Feed Return to Home Page Stay informed and inspired with Natural Life. Type in your email address for our free e-newsletter. Here's a sample. from Natural Life magazine, March/April 2009 Bamboo Textiles: Green, Luxurious and Practical by Ed Mass Bamboo has garnered a lot of attention in the fashion industry as well as for everyday textiles like sheets, towels and robes. The attention is due to its potential environmental friendliness combined with its luxuriously soft feel, flowing drape and many other positive properties. What’s So Great About Bamboo? There are more than 1,000 bamboo species. This diversity makes it more adaptable to different climatic zones than most other softwoods. It can grow over approximately 70 percent of the earth’s land area. And it is a one of the most renewable resources on Earth. Bamboo is abundantly available in many rural areas where economic development is limited, so it can offer a social benefit as well. Through research and development of more ways to utilize bamboo, rural areas are afforded an opportunity to maintain their culture and lifestyle while improving their economic situation. Related Articles Organic Fabrics Hemp Fabric Style With a Conscience Index of green living articles Bamboo’s versatility is evidenced by its use for income, food and housing. Different species are used for different purposes, including food for Pandas, humans and livestock, woven handcraft products such as baskets and mats, textile products, ingredients for Chinese medicines and construction of flooring, fences and roofing. Bamboo for Clothes? Bamboo makes a wonderful clothing material. Due to its hollow fiber, it has unusual breathing capabilities. The fiber is filled with micro gaps and micro holes, which allow for better moisture absorption and ventilation than other fibers. Comfort: Bamboo apparel is comfortable, very breathable, moisture-wicking, fast drying and thermal regulating. Bamboo fabric is anti-static so it doesn’t cling. It is often described as having the “ultra softness of cashmere and the sheen (luster) of silk.” Antibacterial: Bamboo is naturally antibacterial due to a bio-agent called “kun,” which resists the growth of bacteria on the fiber. This is normally carried through to the finished product, allowing it also to resist the growth of... To read the rest of this article, subscribe to Natural Life's online edition. Ed Mass is President and founder of Yes It’s Organic, an online store for organic, fair labor, and eco- friendly goods. After being an environmentalist for over 40 years, he decided to participate more directly in growing the organic, fair labor and eco-friendly industries by educating consumers and influencing their buying habits. March/April 2010 January/February 2010 November/December 2009 September/October 2009 July/August 2009 May/June 2009 March/April 2009 January/February 2009 November/December 2008 Copyright © 1976 - 2010 Life Media |  About Us  |  Contact  |  Subscribe  |  Advertise  |  Contribute  | |  Sustainability Statement  |  Ethics Statement  |  Privacy Policy  |