Bamboo is one of the world's most versatile plants, and has been used as food, building material and raw ingredient in textiles for millennia. It's actually a grass, and like most grasses grows very quickly and is resistant to diseases and insects. Its cultivation is virtually chemical free and very green in comparison to other textiles, especially conventional cotton.

Bamboo can grow to forest-like proportions in only a few years, and as such, adds considerable biomass to the planet. It's also one of the most widely distribute plant species in the world, growing on all continents except Antarctica. Its commercial cultivation, however, is limited mostly to China, India and Pakistan, a result of its long history in these societies.

Bamboo has come under some 'green' criticism regarding its processing. Harsh, though relatively well-known and conventional chemicals, are used to convert a woody grass into supple fibre. Though not ideal, when seen from the point-of-view of total environmental impact, bamboo is still much better than other alternatives. As much needed environmental scrutiny creeps into the textile industry, better methods and safeguards will no doubt also emerge.

Bamboo for T-shirts

Bamboo fibre is silk-like in its look, feel and drape. It is softer to the touch than cotton, yet bamboo's long fibres are extremely strong. It also exhibits a natural elasticity, which is great for athletic wear as well as fashion. It is cooler than cotton and ideal for summer wear. It's often combined with cotton to give it more body, and our Tees are an ideal combination of 70% Organic Bamboo and 30% Organic Cotton.

The following characteristics are often attributed to bamboo. From personal experience, we can vouch for the ones marked with an asterisk (*) as we haven't seen independent laboratory tests to confirm the others. Doesn't mean it isn't true, but we want to cut through some of the hype that seems to surround all 'new' fibres these days, and since we already think bamboo is so great, we don't think it needs any of that.

• Bamboo doesn't hold odour like synthetics *
• Bamboo is resistant to mold and mildew *
• Bamboo is absorbent and fast drying *
• Bamboo is antimicrobial
• Bamboo is thermal regulating
• Bamboo wicks moisture better than polyester performance fabrics

Bamboo requires no special care beyond what you would normally do for cotton clothing. Our REHANCE dyed T-shirts will not shrink.

Bamboosa: Awesome U.S. Made Tees

We've chosen Bamboosa™ for all of our bamboo Tees. They're quality is excellent and best of all, they're manufactured sweatshop-free in the U.S.A. by a company that truly cares about the environment. Please visit their website for great bamboo products of all types and more detailed information on the benefits of bamboo.

Bamboo FAQ

Where does the Bamboo come from?

Our bamboo T-shirts are made in the United States by Bamboosa of South Carolina. They buy their Organic Bamboo fibre from managed plantations in South-eastern China. Bamboosa imports the fibre and completes the manufacturing processes (spinning, knitting, dyeing, and sewing) in South Carolina.

What affect does Bamboo cultivation have on native forests in China?

There is no evidence that forests and virgin eco-systems are being cleared to plant bamboo. In fact, in 2007 the forest area in China grew by 12.84 million acres or the equivalent of nearly 2.3 billion trees. In January 2008, China announced plans to plant more than 2.5 billion trees during the year, covering an additional 13.09 million acres. The National Forest Restoration Program in China also has strict protection in place for existing forestland.

What chemicals are used in the processing of Bamboo?

The main chemical used in processing bamboo is sodium hydroxide also known as caustic soda. It is a 'common' chemical and very widely used for numerous applications, including the processing of cotton and other textiles. Caustic soda is approved for use on textiles under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). It is a strong chemical, but can be re-used, neutralized or disposed of relatively easily. As chemicals go, it's tame compared to petroleum-based chemicals used in the manufacture of synthetic fibres or the pesticides used in cotton production.

Is Bamboo really "green"?

All industrial scale textile production has some impact on the environment and bamboo is no different. As concern for the environment grows, new ways of processing it will begin to emerge and R&D is now underway to improve the process, perhaps even eliminating the use of caustic soda.

How "green" is "green" is relative, and when you compare bamboo to other fibres, especially conventional cotton and synthetics, the choice is clear. Some of the benefits:

• Bamboo is grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers
• Bamboo has not been genetically modified
• Bamboo requires no irrigation
• Bamboo rarely needs replanting
• Bamboo grows very rapidly and can be harvested in 3-5 years
• Bamboo produces 35% more oxygen that an equivalent stand of trees and is a critical element in the balance of oxygen and CO2 in the atmosphere
• Bamboo adds biomass and animal habitat to the planet as it grows
• Bamboo is an excellent soil erosion inhibitor
• Bamboo grows well in many parts of the world and tolerates poor soil quality better than other plants suchs as cotton

Are your Bamboo T-shirts certified organic?

Bamboosa only purchases Certified Organic fibre from China. The farm where the bamboo is grown is certified by the OCIA and the bamboo crops are certified with the USDA organic seal.

Bamboo vs. Conventional Cotton

We'll soon be adding more information and resource links to illustrate the advantages of Bamboo. In the meantime, have a look at these videos posted in the Forum portion of the Artevist website. They'll really make you think twice about your next cotton purchase.

• India's Cottony Pesticide Cloud
• More Cotton Woes

We Prefer Unbleached Tees

Unbleached Tees are so much better for the environment. Very few natural fibres are pure white, and even the finest cottons exhibit a yellowish tone and colour variations. Pure white is a product of fashion and only possible with the use of chemical bleaches and large quantities of water.

However, it wouldn't be fair to deny artists a pure white canvass for their work, so some of our Tees may be pure white. We want to keep it to a minimum and encourage artists to design with off-white in mind, or any one of the large variety of T-shirt colours available.