Eco-Conscious
bamboo
the powerhouse sustainable alternative to hardwood and composite plastic
1. Fast Growth Rate
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. Some species can grow up to 3 feet (about 1 meter) per day! This rapid growth allows for quick harvesting without long-term damage to the environment, making it a highly renewable resource.
2. Carbon Sequestration
Bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at an impressive rate. It can sequester carbon dioxide more effectively than many trees, making it a strong ally in the fight against climate change. Bamboo plantations can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gases.
3. Minimal Water Usage
Bamboo is drought-resistant and requires less water compared to traditional crops like cotton. This makes it ideal for areas with limited water resources. It also helps prevent soil erosion and improves soil quality, contributing to overall environmental health.
4. Versatility
Bamboo can be used in a wide range of applications, from construction materials and furniture to textiles, paper, and even biodegradable packaging. This versatility reduces the need for various other resource-intensive materials.
5. No Fertilizers or Pesticides
Bamboo naturally grows without the need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides, which reduces environmental pollution and the toxicity associated with traditional agriculture.
6. Sustainable Alternative to Wood
Bamboo is often referred to as a “renewable wood” because it can be harvested frequently without depleting resources. Unlike hardwood trees, which can take decades to mature, bamboo can be harvested every 3 to 5 years, significantly reducing deforestation.
7. Soil Protection
Bamboo’s root system helps maintain soil structure and prevent erosion. Bamboo plantations can also restore degraded land by improving soil quality and preventing further degradation.
8. Biodegradable
Bamboo is biodegradable and compostable, unlike plastic and other synthetic materials. Products made from bamboo do not contribute to long-term pollution, which is a significant problem with single-use plastics.
9. Energy-Efficient Processing
The processing of bamboo is typically less energy-intensive than materials like concrete or steel. It requires fewer resources to convert it into usable products, making it more eco-friendly from a production standpoint.
10. Global Awareness and Adoption
With increasing awareness of environmental issues, there’s been a growing global interest in bamboo as a sustainable alternative. Countries and businesses around the world are investing in bamboo cultivation, processing, and use, further driving its potential as a sustainable material for the future.
Shared Values
At the heart of our business is the trusted relationship we have cultivated with our manufacturer. This collaboration goes beyond simply fulfilling orders; it’s built on shared values of quality, sustainability, and responsibility. By working closely with our manufacturer, we ensure that each step of production—from sourcing raw materials to final product delivery—is aligned with our standards. This partnership allows us to maintain consistent quality and traceability, while also ensuring sustainable practices. Together, we are committed to not only delivering superior products but also fostering a more sustainable future through responsible manufacturing practices. This relationship is vital to our mission, as it helps us uphold our promise to our customers and the planet.
Sustainable manufacturing practices
Our manufacturing facility is committed to sustainability and actively integrates renewable energy practices to reduce our environmental impact. They harness the power of solar energy, which provide a significant portion of the electricity required for our operations. In addition, they utilize biomass energy generated from bamboo waste, a renewable resource that not only helps to minimize waste but also significantly reduces carbon emissions. By converting bamboo waste into a clean energy source, we are able to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and ensure that our product processing is as eco-friendly as possible. These efforts align with our mission to continuously improve our environmental footprint and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.
Sustainable Sourcing from China's Natural Forests
All of the bamboo used in our products is sourced from the vast, natural bamboo forests of northern China, which stretch across an impressive 5.3 million hectares. These expansive forests are not only a breathtaking example of nature’s resilience but also serve an essential role in combating climate change. Bamboo is a remarkably fast-growing plant, and these forests have a significant capacity for carbon sequestration, with the potential to store up to 159 million tons of CO2 annually. This vital carbon storage helps to offset the carbon emissions caused by human activity and is an essential part of mitigating global warming.
The forest’s ability to absorb carbon, however, is influenced by various factors, such as local climate conditions, soil type, and the management practices employed. Responsible forest management and sustainable harvesting practices are key to ensuring the long-term environmental benefits of these bamboo forests. By sourcing our bamboo from these natural forests, we are not only supporting sustainable practices but also contributing to the protection and preservation of an invaluable natural resource that has a profound positive impact on the planet’s carbon balance.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) plays a crucial role in ensuring that forests, including the natural bamboo forests of northern China, are managed sustainably. While the FSC itself does not directly manage the forests, it sets strict standards and guidelines that certified forest managers and landowners must follow to ensure environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Here are the aspects they cover:
1. Environmental Protection
The FSC ensures that forest management practices are in line with protecting the natural ecosystem. This includes:
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Water and Soil Quality
- Carbon Sequestration
2. Sustainable Harvesting
FSC certification ensures that bamboo is harvested in a way that doesn’t deplete the forest resources. This includes:
- Harvesting Limits
- Regeneration of Bamboo
- Respect for Natural Growth Cycles
3. Social Responsibility
4. Chain of Custody Certification
FSC certification ensures traceability throughout the supply chain, giving consumers confidence that the bamboo is sourced responsibly and sustainably.
5. Monitoring and Auditing
The FSC requires ongoing monitoring and auditing to ensure that certified forest managers are adhering to its standards.
CERTIFICATIONS
Compliant with EU Safety Standards, the quality, safety and sustainability of our product range is demonstrated through the respected certificates they hold
FSC®-certification
We are honoured to offer a product range with an FSC® Certification. FSC® is internationally acknowledged as the leading and most rigorous certification for responsible forestry in the wood industry. This certification is also extended to bamboo forests.
Durability
The European Standard EN 350 classifies the durability of wood and bamboo against biological wood-destroying fungi on a scale from 1 (very durable) to 5 (not durable). Our outdoor product range has the highest durability class: Class 1, very durable.
Fire safety
Classification Bfl-S1: Fire Retardant
In accordance with the European Standard EN 13501-1 products are classified on a scale ranging from A1fl (non-flammable) to Ffl (highly flammable).
Environmental Safety
Decking 0.001
UV / Grey Scale
Grade 4 [According to ISO 105-A02:1993/Cor.2:2005, scale 5 the best and scale 1 as the worst.]
Application class
European standard EN 335 defines five application classes which represent different situations where the products can be exposed.
Class 5: The most heavy-duty application, permanently in salt water
to
Class 1: The lightest use application, interior dry
Our outdoor product range is awarded Class 4: for applications where the product is in contact with or very close to the ground, permanently wet (fresh water) and/or providing exterior structural support.
EN 717-1
EN 717-1 is a European standard that specifies the formaldehyde emission limits for wood-based panels used in construction and furniture. This standard helps ensure that wood products have safe levels of formaldehyde emissions, as prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can pose health risks.
E1 classification: Formaldehyde emissions ≤ 0.1 ppm, considered low and safe for indoor use.
Environmental footprint
EN 15804 is a global standard for environmental product declarations (EPDs) for construction products and services
ECO EPD Programmes have been audited by ECO Platform to ensure that they are following EN 15804 and that it is using the ECO Platform Verification Guidelines, ensuring a high level of robustness and quality.
- 25 Year Warranty
A combination of sustainability and durability creates a win-win scenario for both the environment and the customer
Longer Lifespan Means Less Waste
Durability ensures Bamboo Co Eco-Shield decking has a long lifespan. Products that last longer reduce the need for frequent replacements, leading to less material waste, less energy used in production, and less waste over time. This makes the decking not only a more sustainable option but also a cost-effective one in the long run.
Lower Maintenance Requirements
A durable product requires less maintenance (e.g., fewer re-staining or replacement needs). This reduces the use of chemicals and maintenance materials, which might have environmental impacts, and ensures that the decking remains in good condition for years, supporting sustainability in both the product and its lifecycle.
Resource Efficiency
Bamboo grows much faster than traditional hardwoods, and the manufacturing process efficiently utilizes the bamboo stalks, minimizing waste. This high resource efficiency supports sustainable practices in the production process, while durability ensures that the end product performs optimally over time, requiring fewer resources to replace or repair.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Other Building Materials
Compared to traditional wood or synthetic alternatives, bamboo offers a more sustainable solution with greater durability. It provides the strength and longevity that many wood products offer but with a much smaller carbon footprint due to bamboo’s fast growth rate and low environmental impact during production.