Environmentalism is a topic that isn’t going away anytime soon. We talk about how we can lower our carbon footprint. We talk about corporate responsibility to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide they pump into the atmosphere, which warms our planet and leads to a variety of consequences.

While we could talk about this until we’re blue in the face, a more productive use of our time is to focus on our own actions. Unless you dedicate your time to activism and politics, it’s all you can really control. We all need to do our part to decrease the impact on the environment. Below are five ways bamboo can replace wasteful household products. 

1. Paper Products

Paper products are made from trees that are cut down. This is a problem because trees are necessary for the health of our environment. They take the carbon in the atmosphere and produce breathable oxygen with it. It’s no surprise then that bamboo has become a viable alternative for paper products. It is less harmful to harvest, using less water. It is much stronger and more durable.

Bamboo can be used in a variety of ways to make sustainable paper products like bamboo toilet paper. Not only will bamboo toilet paper last a lot longer because you will use less of it, the toilet paper will have a considerable impact on the environment. Think about how much toilet paper you use. If you can use less and buy a product that will do less damage to the planet, why wouldn’t you?

The same goes for paper plates and bamboo paper towels. Don’t buy paper plates just to throw them away. Bamboo plates are durable and reusable. The amount of paper towels used in any household is high. One way to use rolls is to switch to bamboo. It is thicker and more absorbent, meaning you will use less over time. Instead of cutting down trees that can produce more oxygen out of the carbon in the air, replace the products with sustainable bamboo options.

2. Plastic Products

It goes without saying that plastic is bad for the planet, so why do we still use it? Plastic is durable and convenient, but so is bamboo. Whether you need a new toothbrush or cutlery that you don’t have to wash, bamboo provides some great alternatives. Bamboo forks, knives, and spoons can even be reused. Use bamboo bowls instead of plastic containers for leftovers. Hair brushes and other cosmetic items come in bamboo alternatives that will decrease your impact on the spread of plastic. Whatever the product, if it comes in plastic it probably can be replaced by bamboo.

3. Fabrics & Rugs

Depending on the material, bamboo fabrics and rugs can be used to lower the waste, environmental impact from specific materials, and the need to replace these fabrics every so often. Bamboo is strong, making it unnecessary to switch them out so often. You can buy bamboo rugs, pillow cases, blankets, and even shirts. It depends on the individual item and what it’s made out of, but if you do some research and look into what your fabrics are made of, bamboo alternatives will become increasingly enticing. The best part is that it can be both soft and strong.

4. Cosmetic Items

Do away with cotton swabs and other makeup removers, reusable bamboo rounds made from bamboo can be used again and again. You won’t have to keep buying new ones because you can wash them. Beyond makeup removers, you can also look into bamboo razors, combs, and makeup brushes. There is even bamboo dental floss. The cosmetic industry has an oversized impact on the environment. Choosing bamboo cosmetic products is one way to mitigate that.

5. Cups, Straws, & More

If you like to use paper coffee cups or plastic straws, you should look into bamboo versions of the products. For example, bamboo straws have become very successful since the viral video of a turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its throat. Paper coffee cups can come in bamboo if you have a shop or manage an office. This is just the beginning. Bamboo is applicable in all kinds of products.

If you are wondering how you can be more sustainable and work towards a more environmentally-conscious world, bamboo is a great place to start. Whatever product you need, it likely comes in bamboo.

Article Submitted By Community Writer