Have we been misled about bamboo?

[bambipie]

Having just recieved some lovely new bamboo breast pads I started wondering exactly how the processed fibres of a plant could be 'antibacterial'.

A quick google and I discovered that although bamboo plants have antibacterial properties the chemical processes used to turn it into fabric are so harsh that nothing even vaguely antibac is left. Basically the cellulose is extracted and made into fibres which are....rayon, and would be the same whatever plant the cellulose came from.

So thats why my bamboo socks are still so soft .
Have we all fallen for a 'greenwash'?

I'd really like to be told this isn't true!

I think it probably is true (that bamboo fibre is just rayon, I mean) but it still needs less water, fertiliser and pesticides to grow than cotton, so is still a good green thing, yes?

Oh yes, I do agree that it probably is greener. Although now it is being grown as a monoculture there is more potential for pests and potential need for pesticides. Also no organic certification.

I just feel a bit of a mug for believing that I was wearing some marvellous fabric, admiring the softness of my new breast pads when it was just boring old rayon (which I would never wear except if it was a fleece or something).

I really don't think it should be described as bamboo, naturally antibacterial etc!

There was an article about this on the Guardian, here. "Green-ness" (or otherwise) can be derived from one or all of the following: growing methods, impact of growing (e.g. there are problems if bamboo becomes a monocrop), harvesting methods, production of the fibre, post-production processes (e.g. dyeing, the energy-efficiency of weaving-looms/sewing machines), transport to market.

'Streeemly complicated.

But if you don't care about ethical issues, bamboo does feel nice, and is meant to be very absorbent, which is something I have found our bamboo nappies. As for reusable nappies, for the record, I personally feel the lack of landfill does make up for the washing costs, and was gutted that DS has outgrown his supposedly "birth to potty" nappies before being potty-trained.

Hope this helps!

There was an article about this on the Guardian, here. "Green-ness" (or otherwise) can be derived from one or all of the following: growing methods, impact of growing (e.g. there are problems if bamboo becomes a monocrop), harvesting methods, production of the fibre, post-production processes (e.g. dyeing, the energy-efficiency of weaving-looms/sewing machines), transport to market.

'Streeemly complicated.

But if you don't care about ethical issues, bamboo does feel nice, and is meant to be very absorbent, which is something I have found our bamboo nappies. As for reusable nappies, for the record, I personally feel the lack of landfill does make up for the washing costs, and was gutted that DS has outgrown his supposedly "birth to potty" nappies before being potty-trained.

Hope this helps!

I have never quoted people the antibacterial thing as could never figure out how they be so after x number of washes/wears etc. Someone did link to it once but cannot remember where it was - but said something along the same lines as OP. They are basically viscose. They also take ages to dry not quicker as some say (twaddle!). But they are a nice soft fabric and have great absorbency.

WVictory - I agree that deciding if something is 'green' or not is very complicated. Personally I think that the decision to use reusable anything is 'green' on the grounds that generating waste is A Bad Thing, and that's why I use washable nappies.

My point is more that most so called bamboo products shouldn't be described as 'bamboo' - it implies that the product is made from actual bamboo fibres (like cotton or linen is made from actual plant fibres)and gives the impression that it is 'natural'. But it isn't, it is a product derived from bamboo, using chemicals and retaining none of the properties of bamboo. The product would be the same whatever plant was used.

I'm not against it in principle - use BGs on DD1 and they are fleece / microfibre - but I knew that when I bought them.

I think that applies to all products wuth regard to being green tbh - there are some great green products but they may have lots of air miles - there are some less green alternatives which may be UK made. Also whether things are made by wahms or mass produced etc etc I think you just need to pick what you think suits you best and the products you like - and be happy that you are doing what is right for you.

I just think that products should be accurately described so that we can make that choice! Mentioning the antibacterial properties etc of bamboo is IMO misleading when the material is actually viscose!

I think the label should def be clearer.

I received this from a leading UK nappy manufacturer when I queried it:

We have always been quite clear about what bamboo fibre is. Part of the problem is that some US companies have been marketing it as a natural fibre which it is not. The bamboo fibre used to make soft textiles is always a man made (regenerated) cellulose fibre and is in the viscose/rayon family. Cotton and flax (linen) are examples of naturally occurring cellulose fibre. That said it is worth noting that viscose is not a synthetic fibre like polyester or nylon and I think this is also part of the confusion. Viscose is made from many different base materials (usually wood but also from things like soya) and in our opinion bamboo makes the best. As you know bamboo is also a much more sustainable resource than cotton. Whilst there are clearly chemical inputs used at the processing stage the farming stage has far less impact than cotton:

www.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_freshwater/freshwater_problems/thirsty_crops /cotton/

It is also worth noting that cotton also needs chemicals to process it into finished textile product.

We have Oekotex certificates from each supplier in the chain of supply - fibre production, yarn processing, knitting etc. As you know these certify that no harmful chemicals were used in production.

Ultimately for us it is about comfort for baby and performance for parents. In our opinion bamboo fibre is second to none as and absorbant material for making cloth nappies. It is around 70% more absorbant than cotton, feels way nicer and retains its softness better in hard water and is less bulky. The reality is that any manufacturing has its impacts on the environment, but by choosing cloth nappies parents are doing their bit for the environment anyway.

not sure what happened with the big gap there lol

i had found this - which is why I queried it

www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt160.shtm

Just thought i'd clear this one up..

Had some answers from the guys at Little Lamb with regard to Bamboo production in their products including the breast pads which i belive were in question.

All bamboo fibres are a viscose. The original method of breaking down the cellular structure didn't affect the antibacterial properties as caustic soda (NaOH) wasn't used. So in this less invasive procedure the end product is indeed still carrying the Antibacterial properties of bamboo.

The new cheaper method of extraction is by using caustic soda, which is why shops like P***k can now offer cheap bamboo fabrics. Manufacturers who use the cheaper version mistakenly claim the properties of the original method.

All LL bamboo is the original method. It comes with the Eoko-tex certificate stating that no harmful chemicals are used during the growth cycle or manufacture. All batches of yarn are Eoko-tex checked before manufacture.

Hope that helps reasure and restore everyones confidence in Bamboo nappy products. Most major brands carry the Oeko Tex certificate and can be seen if requested.

So no missleading going on at all, in the case of the big brands anyway!

Any questions feel free to email.

Please see www.bearing-gifts.com website for valuable information about Viscose derived from Bamboo fabric. They were so worried about content and labelling that they had the bamboo textile they use tested by their local Trading Standards people as well as obtaining copies of the OKO TEX 100 certificate from their supplier.

That's all very well but what is the 'original' producion method and why aren't bamboo products labelled as viscose? It's misleading!

The fact that the producers have a certificate doesn't get away from the fact that lots of websites are selling products described as 100% bamboo which isn't exactly the same as saying 100% viscose which is what they are!

Babybots, I'm assuming you are from the company of the same name, this is what it says on your website:

Littlelamb washable breast pads are natural coloured, slim round pads making them discrete in your bra and under clothing.
They have been made them from super absorbent bamboo and are lined with a breathable waterproof coating to ensure you won't get any leaks.
....Being made with Bamboo they are naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal reducing the risks of yeast infections.

Does that really tell the consumer that what they are buying is viscose?

It is also completely untrue that they have any antibacterial properties!

Are bamboo breast pads more absorbent than non-bamboo ones? I have a bunch of Avent ones in the loft from DC1 and ended up using two at a time sometimes, found them v unsatisfactory. If there's a better make out there I'll gladly buy them.

Have never understood why people use disposable breast pads at all - it's absolutely no hassle to just shove the washable ones in the laundry.

Hmm, I think this is very misleading.

As a bamboo nappy user I assumed the nappies I love and cherished were bamboo and not actually rayon.

I've even bought bamboo washing cloths fron Tescos assuming they were 'greener' but they are absolutle rubbish so definitely wont be buying those again

I've never thought about the antibacterial claims too much. But gave more consideration to that bamboo is more sustainable, like hemp, and absorbant.
You're right though, the marketting of bamboo is misleading.

The bamboo/viscose probably is 'greener' than cotton because growing bamboo uses less water and chemicals than growing cotton.

But that doesn't mean it shouldn't be accurately labled and marketed.