bamboo lifestyle products may be a better replacement for

Volume 2 – Issue 4 [April 2021] P a g e | 41

Article ID: AEN-2021-02-04-012

Bamboo Lifestyle Products May be A Better Replacement for Plastic: Can It Be

Possible?

Pavithra G.M

Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Malleswaram, Bangalore, India

E-mail: pavithrakesari @gmail.com

India is extremely diverse in its bamboo varieties having around 140 species and being

second in the world only after China. Bamboo products are appropriately considered eco-friendly

due to their intrinsic characteristics of being biodegradable and being derived from a renewable

natural resource base. Customized dimension products manufactured on demand expanding the

markets for potential in income generation which contributes to achieving better per capita income

without spending much more fees on qualification certificates and avoiding exposure to hazardous

environment involved in actual collection process of raw material. .Among the various bamboo

lifestyle products, bamboo mats, ladders, basketry were said to be the oldest value-added product

combining traditional wisdom and utility (Martin et al., 2012). The paper also highlights the potential

of value-added products made from bamboo as a commercial green product with multiple

applications that may have a significant impact enhancing local economy and upliftment rural

communities in the nation. For bio-degradable property its designs, bamboo lifestyle product in high

demand with great health concern (Salmiah et al., 2019).

Lifestyle means a style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group. the

totality of the likes and dislikes of a particular section of the market, especially when expressed in

terms of the products and services that they would buy; a marketing strategy based on the self-image

of such a group.

Globally, more than 1,250 species under 75 genera unevenly distributed in the various

agroclimatic zones. Bamboo is vital to India’s post COVID 19 – economy and its been offers an

opportunity for the country to strengthen its economy with the support of vast Bamboo resources.

Forest & environment ministry policies supporting bamboo industry in this outlook. The Union

Government in 2017 amended the Indian Forest Act through which bamboo was classified as a grass

and it ceased to be a tree. However, bamboo grown in forest areas continues to be under the

provision of forest laws.

Bamboo sourced from 70% adjoining forests land and 30% from the plantation. An average

wage paid for the harvesting of each culm costs about 0.21$ per culm. When it’s done in bulk

charges will be less. Transportation charges vary from the point of raw-material collection to the

destination processing unit. Indian craftsmanship already demonstrated implementation modern

technologies in bringing out innovative engineered Bamboo lifestyle products (Valsecchi et al.,

2012). Bamboo Craftsmanship plays a great role in rural employment creation and poverty

alleviation (Khondoker et al., 2011) Alternative bamboo products: guaranteed to end up in land fill

site staking hundreds of years to breakdown Plastics include a wide range of synthetic or semi

synthetic organic compounds that are malleable and can be moulded into solid objects. Bamboo

waste can also be used in clean energy production (Truong, et al 2015). The properties of plastic

include Resistant, Insulator, lightweight, durable, Inexpensive and easy to produce. The manufacture


of plastic, as well as its destruction by incineration, pollutes air, land and water and exposes workers

to toxic chemicals, including carcinogens. Synthetic plastic does not biodegrade. It just sits and

accumulates in landfills or pollutes the environment. Burning of plastic in the open air, leads to

environmental pollution due to the release of toxic chemicals (Desta et al., 2012). Plastic pollution

involves the accumulations of the plastic in the environment which adversely affects wildlife,

pollutes wild life habitat or human habitations. Bangalore alone generates 50,000 kgs of disposable

plastic sanitary pads in a single day. Workshops and webinars from various sources include

resources members all over India. Polymer composite alone can be replaced by bamboo in its own

ways are creating a public awareness connecting people according to their need to be in a sustainable

bamboo matrix.

Background need of preventing plastic pollution on our environment

Ocean & beaches: Light weight, in-destructive plastics garbage discarded into the seas or

near waterbodies, resulted in the floating on the marine debris and deposits in the beaches worldwide

(Akbar et al., 2018). Aquatic diversity ingests plastic bags mistakenly for foods, die. The ingested

plastic bag remains intact even after the death and its decomposition. Landscape: During

manufacturing process, some of its constituent (chemicals) are highly toxic (cause cancer) and

flammable. Plastic recycling is associated skin and respiratory with problems. May Be our first

toothbrush is still alive at the Womb of Nature!!! Yes, our body cleansing process starts with

brushing our toothbrush became a part of the plastic crisis. Small acts, when multiplied by millions

of people, can transform the world (Fig.1). next to that water is our basic necessity its again best to

prefer handcrafted leak-proof bamboo bottles than water cans(Fig.2).

.

Figure 1. A sustainable alternative to plastic toothbrush is bamboo toothbrush, it’s a simple

switch that everyone can make today is to swap out the plastic toothbrush. The bristles used in

bamboo toothbrushes is of three types: nylon, boar and biodegradable vegan bristles

Humans: Careless disposal of plastic bags chokes drainage block the porosity of soil and

causes problem for ground water recharge. “Animals eat plastic bags” brings up hundreds of heart-

breaking stories and images from around the world. So many foraging cows in India have died from

ingesting plastic bag litter that many of the states in that country have banned the distribution of

plastic bags (Valentina et al., 2018). In the United Arab Emirates, a veterinarian has documented

images of camels, sheep, goats, and endangered desert animals’ dead from eating plastic bags.

Whales wash up on our coasts, their bellies full of plastic. And endangered leatherback sea turtles

mistake floating plastic bags for the jellyfish that are their main diet, ingesting the plastic that can

then block their digestive tracts. In fact, a recent study of leatherback turtle autopsy records found

plastic in one-third of the animals’ GI tracts, plastic bags being the most common item mentioned.

plastic bags have been referred to as “urban tumbleweeds”.


Figure 2. Hundreds of local artisans trained to make handcrafted leak-proof bamboo bottles

under Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Vikas Yojana in Tripura. Weaved basketries for

multipurpose according to the requirement also Various Furniture set a great eco-friendly

model to promote bamboo products.

In India involvement of non-traditional and non-tribal communities, also indigenous tribal

communities are engaged traditional community are provided an opportunity to obtain considerable

experience in making a different and traditional high quality of bamboo lifestyle products which is a

highly skilled bamboo craftsmanship also education for sustainable development (ESD) (Ying et al.,

2019). Specially experience plays an important role in the selection of suitable clumps for harvesting

to make quality bamboo products. Using a splitting machine, the bamboo pole is fixed longitudinally

in front of the set of splitting knives and a mechanical pushing device pushes the bamboo over the

knives to produce splits of a desirable size, the strips are then air-dried either in a shaded area or in

artificial ventilation. This process reduces the moisture content in strips to 30 percent. Post drying,

bamboo slivers of desired thickness, length, and width (2cm-4cm). Now it is sliced to get bamboo

slivers according to desired thickness. The next stage includes Trimming/ Dimensioning/ Cutting to

size, sanding and surface coatings or lamination. Meanwhile species selection is also important to

shape bamboo in various dimensions to make desired product. Subsequently, depending on storage

period appropriate treatments are given as an effective treatment which can be done with a hand

sprayer or a knapsack sprayer checked fortnightly for any signs of fungal growth and borer attack. A

brief survey on socio-economic factors and their prospects shows artisans are normally engaged

based on the supply of raw material and are provided with training and by practice the skill is made

perfect. This is considered as a good replacement for wood infrastructure (Rogerson et al.,2016).

Socio-economic impacts in providing employment opportunities also innovation and to estimate the

impact of social capital on the innovation in the small-medium enterprises (SMEs) (Aloysius et al.,

2009) Bamboo lifestyle product- from production to marketing provides equal employment

opportunities for all types of categories of the society like i) Scheduled Castes ii) Scheduled Tribes

iii) Backward iv) Religion Minorities etc. Socio- economic status of bamboo handicrafts workers are

unorganized category (Selvam 2016) There are numerous skilled factory workers/unskilled factory

workers required working selected and presently working, on a contractual basis some are working

regularly. bamboo cultural events like exhibitions and fairs since decades, thus dissemination

indigenous art and skills across the nation. There is vast economic potential in Bamboo lifestyle

product, but its contribution to the rural livelihood opportunities of women is often underestimated

(Lynser et al., 2014).


Value added Bamboo lifestyle products

It is an intricate process involving multiple stages including harvesting, cross-cutting and

splitting, removal of knots, various treatment to protect it from moisture. There are many

governmental and non-governmental organizations dedicated in developing sustainable Bamboo

community with the help of local public involvement to establish a sustainable bamboo community

with the great vision and mission to empower rural livelihood and women employment (Fig. 3)

Figure 3. Photo source: Tony Paul Chief executive officer Uravu is an amazing centre for

bamboo solutions dedicated a special program to empower rural livelihood and relief for

women artisans of Wayanad during COVID-19 It is very unique and special. The knowledge

they possess is an asset to the nation and sustainable development. Public involvement in

establishing in building sustainable bamboo community with the theme Bamboo & Beyond.

For more Details Uravu Indigenous Science & Technology Study Centre Thrikkaipetta P.O.

Wayanad, Kerala, India, PIN: 673577 Phone: 079027 48292, 04936 231 400, 079027 93203

https://www.uravu.in/

Bamboo crockeries, Kitchen utensils, Dining wares - making is a recent venture by extracting

bamboo fibre using a crushing machine and using organic resin as binding agent in specific

proportion and moulding it into the desired dimension. Bamboo ladders, coffin, cradle, stacking

material, poles for construction etc., are common asset. Similarly, multipurpose -basketries according

to region and utility most habitual till plastic was introduced to India, which we gradually ignored

because of urbanization, westernization of contemporary society. Bamboo Toys, Paintings on

bamboo surfaces, some fire-art works, school/ college bags, conference folders, bamboo jewellery

many unlisted accessories and utility products made by simple tools and techniques (Fig 4.). The

previous culture and the practices of bamboo need to be continued in place of plastic bags,

containers, cutleries, crockeries etc., Bamboo disposable and also Reusable cutleries and Crockeries,

Bamboo Tea Mugs, Bamboo Spoons, Like Coffee cup with Cap, Egg Trays, Food Trays etc.,

galleried (Fig. 5). For environmental health and safety especially during COVID-19 pandemic season

innovative Bamboo pedal operated hand sanitizers manual and Auto- sensor operated sanitizer

became the current trends. Masks like bamboo mesh-based, weaved style, cup shaped dust filters

also used by public. Mats and mat-based boards It is observed that lifestyle products like Bamboo

Furniture and innovative Bamboo Handicrafts are premium products in demand by the newer very

innovative design are already available in market and online outlets (Fig. 6). All these products use

bamboo’s natural properties to create functional, elegant products hangers to lampshades. Bamboo

lifestyle products and Bamboo handicrafts such as musical instruments, antique show pieces, tissue

holders, clocks, vases, folders, calligraphy pens, hangers etc., involves lots creativity in sustainable

consumption of bamboo and endless effort on making a high-end product (Fig.7).

https://www.uravu.in/


Figure 4: Toys, accessories and utility products showcased by different organisations

Bamboo Plastic Composites (BPC) are a new type of composite made by mixing and forming

bamboo sawdust, bamboo or bamboo residue, and other fibres as the main raw material at high

temperature, mixed with molten thermoplastic resin (Shuaicheng et al., 2020)

Summary and Conclusion

Nature is functioning as its needed to do!!! India already proven its long history of bamboo

work, in the process, brilliant craftsmanship. Plastic by itself doesn’t cause much pollution: Used

plastic causing the real culprit. The Domestic Plastic Recycling is a global problem (Abhishek et

al., 2020). Plastic don’t release any heavy metals above permissible limits for soil. The lead which

was present in the plastic bags during the acid digestion and extraction was primarily from the dye

and not from the plastic itself (Gabriela et al., 2019). Also have many experienced founders with a

demonstrated history of working in the construction industry. To promote the utilization of desirable

species by development of stocks of plants for distribution to botanical gardens and introduction to

the general public. bamboo planting material as an alternate land use in semi-arid conditions

conserving soil carbon stock sequestration as “land quality indicator”. To preserve and increase the

number of bamboo species in the United States (via various collection trips). Encouraging farmers to

plant and maintain bamboo gardens to display the characteristic beauty of mature plants and to

provide plant material for research in the taxonomy, propagation and culture of as large a number of

species as possible and we have made use of the support more organized study on bamboo. Based on

a standard protocol in the field and establishing required facilities are deemed necessary to carry out

the research projects. should have experience in sustainability of rural women, materials

management, and waste minimization (Datta et al., 2016). Experience with environmental

permitting, compliance, source testing and site assessments would be a plus. Excellent presenting

skills and technical writing required. It’s a greatest challenge to understand and accept the situation.

Lots of bamboo biomass is available as green and dry waste generates at various stages in

processing from raw material till it becomes an end product. Disposal mechanism differs according

to the type of waste generated. twigs shavings and bamboo sawdust.This waste need not necessarily

be disposposed in an unscientific hazardous way and instead can be utilized in several innovative

ways like in making Bamboo-Polymer Composite or Bamboo Plastic Composite. The recycling of

plastic waste and the main issues associated with plastic disposal is also equally important

(Vannessa, 2007). Evolving clean solutions from Bamboo lifestyle products Another alternative is

the use of certain wastes for Biogas production (Arisutha et al., 2016).


Figure 5: Photo Source: Anubhav Mittal Ji Designed and promoted specially to replace

Plastic Usage: Bamboo disposable and also Reusable cutleries and Crockeries, Bamboo Tea

Mugs, Bamboo Spoons, Like Coffee cup with Cap, Egg Trays, Food Trays etc., For more

details www.biomize.in, [email protected] 9818288803

http://www.biomize.in/

mailto:[email protected]


Figure 6: Bamboo pedal operated hand sanitizers manual and Auto- sensor operated sanitizer,

Masks, Mats and mat-based boards designed by Vivek Nedumpally and his team of skilled

craftsmen Bageesh, Ratheesh, Jayesh, and Safi from Kerala State Bamboo Corporation.

Bamboo woven masks (rectangular style with cotton fabricated and cup shaped mat-style

woven) for comforts


Figure 7: Photo Source and the Designer Craftsman also Bamboo Craft- Trainer in the past 17

years and more Rajiv V K, Wind Craft, Thattekkani P.O, Idukki District, Kerala. For more

details: [email protected] 9961972376

Future areas of operation

For further developments governmental and non-governmental bodies set up many R& D

Units, research institutions like IPIRTI Bangalore and IWST NID Bangalore, who have been the

backbone of R & D support. organisations set a great example to go eco-friendly and cost-effective

Bamboo Utilities for regular purposes. to bridge a connect between Bamboo Growers, Traders/

Craftsmen/ Entrepreneurs and general public. It has also provided a good platform for women

entrepreneurs and self -help groups to showcase their products and skills as evidenced from almost

50 stalls. Hands on Training programs/ workshops on handicrafts, furniture making, product

improvement and quality enhancement were also seen during the festival. Apparently, this festival

has generated huge interest and awareness among Kids, School Students, Youth especially by

“Fashion Show” which promoted bamboo fabric and handmade jewels. Bamboo industry is thriving

to bring us out from this painful pandemic environment and to restart our living being more aesthetic

and organized with a slogan “Live and Let Live”.

Acknowledgments:

The author is thankful to all the exhibitors who presents their bamboo lifestyle products in

local, regional, national and international bamboo fests, conferences etc., Many institutes constitutes

resource people team who involved in R&D Program the webinars working as eco- bamboo guardian

technology enabled media associates. The author is also thankful to Dr. Syam Viswanath, Director,

KFRI, Peechi, Thrissur for his help in editing the manuscript and his critical suggestions for the

paper.

References:

Abhishek, Y., Satyam, T., Shivam, B., Yashwendra, S. 2020. Domestic Plastic Recycling.

International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT) 9(6): 595-596

Akbar, T., Shinta W., Fajar, M. I., Adi Z., Arniati M. and Ahmad F. 2018. Short-term observation

on marine debris at coastal areas of Takalar district and Makassar city, South Sulawesi-Indonesia.

Jurnal Ilmu Kelautan SPERMONDE. 4(2): 48-53


Aloysius, G. B. 2009. Innovation and Social Capital in the Small-medium Enterprises: A Case of

Bamboo Handicraft in Indonesia. University Library of Munich, Germany, MPRA Paper.1-12

Datta, J., Das, Jayanta, Debnath, A., Ram, A., and Haldar, S. 2016. Entrepreneurial behaviour of

rural women on bamboo handicrafts in Tripura, north-east India. Economic Affairs. 61 (4): 653-658.

Gabriela, K., Catarina, F., Mendes, and Gautham, D. Using Plastic Bags in Roadways. 2019.

International Journal of Environmental Science and Development. 10(12): 456-460.

Khondoker, A. M. 2011. Non-Farm Economic Activities in Rural Bangladesh: The Case of the

Bamboo Craftsmanship. Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development. 21: 39-52.

Martin, L., Martua, T. S., and Bernard, S. 2012. Rattan and Bamboo Handicrafts of the Kenyah. The

Lontar Foundation; Singapore: National University of Singapore Press; Copenhagen: Nordic Institute

for Asian Studies Press; Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press 6(3): 205-223

Mulu, B. D. and Abraha, G. 2012. The Environmental Impacts of the Disposal of Plastic Bags and

Water Bottles in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Sacha Journal of Environmental Studies. 2(1): 81-94.

Salmiah, S., Chin, J., Sebayang, T., Fitria, L. and Andry. 2019. Define A Green Product to Lead A

Sustainable Lifestyle. Indonesia. Journal of critical reviews. 6(5): 143-149.

Selvam, T. 2016. Socio economic status of bamboo handicraft workers. Indo – Asian Journal of

Multidisciplinary Research (IAJMR) 2(5): 770-774.

Shuaicheng, J., Yanqiang, W., Zhe, H., Shengbo, G., Hongqi, Y. and Wanxi, P. Potential application

of bamboo powder in PBS bamboo plastic composites. Journal of King Saud University – Science.

32(1): 1130-1134

Valentina, C. T., Ancuta, M., Diana Z. V., Marius, M. M., Dragos, I. S. 2018. The Influence of the

Plastic Bags on the Environment. Journal of Materiale Plastice. 55(4): 595-599.

Valsecchi, F., Pollastri, S. and Lou, Y. 2012. Bamboo entwines: a design intervention to envision

culture and innovation values of local crafts. International Conference on Heritage and Sustainable

Development 978: 1-11.

Vannessa G. 2007. Plastic recycling. Science progress. 90(4): 248-264

Ying, D. and Shyh, H, H. 2019. Technique, Creativity, and Sustainability of Bamboo Craft Courses:

Teaching Educational Practices for Sustainable Development. Journal of Sustainability MDPI. 11,

2487: 1-22.

bamboo lifestyle products may be a better replacement for

Documents