Bamboo clothing

Theme: Home-based projects
Company/charity name: Bamboo Clothing
Where: Cardiff & Portsmouth
When: Wed 16 Aug 2023

Why this project is important

The fashion industry accounts for a fifth of the world’s 300 million tons of plastic pollution every year. Producing polyester, now the world’s most widely used clothing fibre, and other synthetics requires 1.3 billion barrels of oil annually.

We need to move over to natural fibres to reduce the oil demand and also subsequent plastic pollution. Yet, not all natural fabrics are born equal. Cotton is the world’s most widely used natural fibre and still the undisputed “king” of the global textiles industry.

Reducing cotton usage in the fashion industry is a pressing necessity due to its significant environmental impact. Cotton cultivation is notorious for its heavy water consumption, leading to water scarcity in many regions. Additionally, conventional cotton farming relies heavily on pesticides and chemical fertilisers, which pollute soil, water bodies, and pose health risks to farmers and communities.

A shift away from cotton usage – towards more sustainable materials – aligns with the concept of a circular economy in the fashion sector. Encouraging the use of recycled materials and alternative fibres like hemp or bamboo enables the industry to move towards a more sustainable, waste-reducing model.

WHAT IS BAMBOO FABRIC

Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing crop. It is said that you can hear the bamboo creak as it grows!

Bamboo absorbs five times more carbon than hardwood trees and because it stores carbon in the plant and roots it is able to regenerate soil health.

Bamboo is a lower impact crop than cotton because it needs little to no irrigation or pesticides and it releases 35% more oxygen. It grows rapidly so it needs less land and it can be harvested without damaging root systems and surrounding habitats.

BAM Clothing have tapped into the magic that is bamboo and created a soft (to touch and for the planet) range of clothing for all our clothing requirements! For workouts, outdoor activities, enjoying the summer days or snuggling up in a cold evening, there is a low footprint & sustainable option to choose from.