Eco-friendly materials are those that have a reduced negative impact on the environment. Some attributes of eco-friendly materials can be fast growing, use less water than alternatives, don't require pesticides or fertilizers to grow, sequester carbon dioxide, use no or reduced harmful chemicals during processing, or are from recycled materials. The sourcing of any material has an impact on the environment, there is just no getting around it, however, those that have a reduced impact are going to help extend the life of our planet!
Now what are some examples of these eco-friendly materials? Keep reading!
Bamboo
Bamboo is quite amazing! It grows fast, is very strong yet flexible, and doesn't normally require pesticides or fertilizers (grows easily in a variety of environments). This grass - yes grass, not wood - can be used for making clothing, in construction, to simulate wood, as a charcoal replacement, and can even be eaten. It also looks beautiful. There are over 1500 species of bamboo worldwide, with the majority found in Asia, followed by South America and Africa.
Moso Bamboo is most often used for textiles, flooring, and furniture, while those in the genus Guadua and Dendrocalamus are excellent options for use in construction. If you want a variety that makes a good snack, then Bambusa and Phyllostachys varieties are said to have tasty shoots.
Check out our Bamboo FAQs page for more info...
Spruce up your wardrobe with cool bamboo fashion accessories or create a personal care routine with bamboo toothbrushes, makeup tools, hair care, etc. Your home can also become eco-friendly with a selection of bamboo and other eco-friendly alternatives. All brought to you with care by Busa!
Organic Cotton
Although growing cotton requires considerably more water than bamboo, organic cotton over non-organic is more eco-friendly as it is grown without the use of pesticides and chemicals. The positive impact is a reduction in these harmful substances in our environment, especially into soils and waterways.
Hemp
Hemp is strong, durable, and requires less water than cotton to grow. It also has less pesticide need than non-organic cotton. Hemp can be used in a variety of applications, such as textiles, food, paper, as a hemp-based plastic, and in pharmaceuticals. Hemp crops have also been found to be an efficient carbon-sink!
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials take once new materials that have gone through a usable life-cycle and breaks them down to make a new, recycled product. An example is recycled polyester. Recycled polyester can be made from waste such as used plastic bottles. It is then processed into fibers that can be used to make various textiles such as clothing. Reusing materials reduces the need to produce new materials. This can save land use, water needs, pesticide/fertilizer usage, and volume of non-biodegradable materials from entering the landfill.
Another eco-friendly option...Reusables!
Reusables may not be made from an eco-friendly alternative material BUT can be used many times over as a replacement for single-use products. Reusable products should be easy to clean or sanitize (if needed) and durable for repeated use. Such products can keep tons of single-use waste from entering the landfill. Examples include, reusable fruit and vegetable covers instead of plastic wrap and reusable snack / sandwich bags instead of ziplock-style bags... to name just a couple!