OK, so the Bamboo PC it was a gimmick. The bamboo laptop launched last March at the Hanover computer fair. It had a laminated bamboo cover which surrounded a pretty basic computer, so it certainly won’t make much difference to the amount of plastic being used in the world.
Although the bamboo computers won’t make a huge difference to the environment, it did prove how versatile material really is.
Surely bamboo must be the only plant that is a source of building materials, clothing and food. One of the early light bulbs created by Edison used bamboo. Because the material is so string, resiliant and cheap to use, it is used widely in building throughout Asia. Fibres from bamboo poles are extremely strong, it both tension and compression terms. It’s compressive strength works out around twice that of concrete, bamboo also has the same tensile strength to weight ratio as steel. And now there’s a bamboo laptop!
Bamboo will please anyone whose buying eco-friendly home furnishings. To start with, it’s hightly sustainable. There are some species of bamboo that grow more than a metra each day. Local people are able to cut down as much bamboo as they need for carving or weaving and still have the same amount growing as they did before they cut some down. On the global warming sides of things, being a plant, any product made from bamboo contains a large amount of atmospheric carbon within it. However, the plastic equivalent to a bamboo products actually adds to the atmospheric carbon levels, rather than taking away!
Another point; because it’s natural, bamboo has variations in quality and appearance that make it difficult to use in most mass production processes. What this means is that you can be almost positive that a skilled craftsman has built the bamboo product you buy. If you choose to buy from a reputable source, you’ll also have the peace of mind that the craftsman has earned a fair wage from their work and not been exploited. The last thing is that you can be sure that your purchased product won’t have accumulated any air miles since it’s creation.
With eco credentials as strong as these, it’s amazing how beautiful bamboo products are. Picture a skilfully made bamboo box, lovingly lacquered with 15 layers of natural shellac. All natural and really stylish. Only the other day, I bought an amazingly crafted bamboo knife block and now I’m considering buying more bamboo kitchen accessories like salad bowls. Stylish and ethical. Win. 
