With a vast increasing population, the demand for new housing and consumables is decreasing Africa’s forests. Trees are vital for our world’s survival especially for cleansing the air and our environment from all of the toxic gasses. Tree overage has decreased from 35% to a mere 3% in the previous decade. By using products made from bamboo rather than hardwood, you can make a difference. Read on, see the numerous uses of bamboo and save the planet, one tree at a time.
To give the earth a bit of a break, start using alternatives like plastic toothpicks or go digital to conserve paper. However, I will not tell you to quit braaiing, since it is what we do!
Bamboo does not need pesticides or herbicides to grow. Very similar to grass, bamboo grows from its roots and, unlike hardwood trees, it grows back after it has been cut and can be harvested annually thereafter.
Here are a list of things bamboo is used for, so the next time you go shopping, try to look out for alternative products made from bamboo instead of trees;
Kitchenware and utensils
Craft beautiful furniture out of bamboo
Used in various cosmetic products and deodorants
Office use
Bamboo provides high quality pulp used for making paper
Medicinal healing
Bamboo sprouts can be helpful in treating wounds and ulcers
Bamboo extract is used to treat various inflammations
The leaves and roots are used for treating venereal diseases
Used as an abortifacient for kidney diseases
Building material
Building materials used in construction
Used to reinforce bridges and roads
Employed as eco-friendly and more cost-effective scaffolding
Bamboo stalks are used to create fences, roofs and roof tiles
Food preservative
Clothing and accessories
Bamboo makes a strong and durable fabric with a durable antibacterial quality and can be therefore used to make clothing in addition to rugs.
Tools and equipment
Bamboo is used in making weapons as well as handicrafts
The stalks of bamboo are used to weave strong and durable baskets
Crafting musical instruments
Farming
Bamboo roots enrich the soil by drawing heavy metals from the ground
The roots holds the soil together and brings the water closer to the surface which can benefit other nearby plants
Bamboo is planted on steep slopes or riverbanks to help prevent erosion and mudslides
Bamboo shoots are planted as boundary markers to help encourage banana trees
Charcoal is made from the pyroligneous acid extracted from the bamboo which is then used in insecticides