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Bamboo has been used for many different applications for
centuries but as a bamboo clothing is relatively new, developed just in the last few
years.
Environment: As a
plant, bamboo has incredible properties - it is considered the fastest growing
plant on earth and is known to improve soil quality. Its extensive root system
naturally replenish itself and is grown without using pesticides or chemical
fertilizers. It's actually a grass and some varieties can grow up to 3 - 4 feet
a day. Bamboo minimizes CO2 and generates up to 35% more oxygen than equivalent
stands of trees. Bamboo can even improve
soil quality in places where erosion and degradation of the natural minerals
has occurred. It needs very little water to grow, which means it can thrive in
a variety of climates without depleting water supplies.
There is a lot of attention about manufacturing textiles
from bamboo. If the strong chemicals are used, it nullifies the benefits of
this fast growing plant. The manufacturers of our bamboo clothing uses low
impact products in its process. It is processed by proprietary technologies
developed by Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc., and its subsidiary, Crailar
Fiber Technologies Inc. It offers cost-effective and environmentally
sustainable processing of natural environmentally friendly fibers and fabrics.
Bamboo fiber is a type of viscose, as it
is a regenerated cellulose fibre. The steaming process extracts bamboo leaves
and the soft, inner pith from the bamboo trunk and then mechanically crushes
it. The crushed bamboo is soaked in sodium hydroxide to produce cellulose. A
misconception that sodium hydroxide is a harmful chemical, is inaccurate. If
used responsibly sodium hydroxide has negative effect on the environment and
health of workers. It is routinely used in the processing of organic cotton
into fibre and is approved by the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and
the Soil Association. It does not remain as a residue on clothing. Then the
cellulose is converted into bamboo fibre threads, then spun into yarn. The
process is a closed loop process, reusing substances involved. There is another
process of manufacturing bamboo fiber though it is much more mechanically
(energy) demanding with result higher costs and smaller quantities of products.
Natural Clothing Co as a retailer is committed to continual search for the best
products for their customers form viewpoints of environment protection, as well
as benefits and value for the users. At this time, most of our clothing with ingredient
"bamboo" represents actual viscose from bamboo.