Organic Cotton v. Bamboo
Posted March 24th, 2008 by Barbara BarryGood morning,
Could you please tell me which is more environmentally friendly - products (such as towels, sheets, clothing, etc) made from organic cotton or bamboo? I understand that bamboo plants grow incredibly fast, but that the process in making the cloth environmentally unfriendly.
Thank you for your efforts and your answer.
Barbara







From what I understand, it sounds as if the bamboo proceess is worse. Here's my opinion on what is "most" to what is "least" environmentally friendly:
Don't buy more. Mend, patch, or dye what you already have and keep using it.
If you must get more, get it "used"...go to second-hand stores, or join "freecycle" for your area on yahoo groups where you can post what you want for your area and people will give it to you for free if they have it. Also, find friends you can "trade" clothes, etc. with. There are lots of things in good condition that you can find used, and if you can't find it at brick-and-mortar places, try ebay.
THEN if you must buy something new...organic cotton, best would be from a local small business...but if a large retailer, hopefully one that's high on the social/environmental responsibility rating...and hopefully, especially if linens, they'll last you a long time, and you can turn your really old, worn things int rags instead of buying Swiffer disposable cleaning products!!
Worst--buying brand new things you don't really need from a retailer that doesn't really care on a (too) regular basis due to affluenza!!