The human factor | Is bamboo really greener than plastic?

“I see bamboo products almost everywhere, which are supposedly more eco-friendly: toothbrushes, textiles, utensils, furniture… But is it really so “green”? », asks Maude.

Let's say it straight away: the answer is complex.

“Whether it is bamboo or plastic, there is no material that is good or bad in itself,” recalls Aurore Courtieux-Boinot, specialist in circular economy and residual materials management. “It all depends on what you use it for, and for how long. »

To answer this, let's break down, step by step, the life cycle of a bamboo object.

An easy culture

Growing bamboo is rather easy: it is a plant that needs little water and inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) to grow.

“Some species can grow up to one meter per day,” underlines Elliot Muller, researcher at the International Reference Center for Life Cycle Analysis and Sustainable Transition (CIRAIG).

But depending on agricultural practices, bamboo can be cultivated intensively, which can lead to deforestation, a loss of biodiversity and a reduction in soil quality.

The ideal is therefore to ensure that the bamboo is grown sustainably.

As bamboo is mainly grown in Asia, Africa and South America, transport must also be taken into account in its impact on the environment – ​​which often represents 10 to 15% of the footprint of the final object, estimates the researcher.

A more or less processed product

Before becoming furniture, toilet paper, socks or a toothbrush, bamboo must first be treated and transformed.

However, “there is often little impact at the time of its production; but there are many more at the time of its transformation,” says Elliot Muller.

Because the more an object is transformed, the more its production requires additional materials (plastic, glue, resin, etc.) and energy. And the less easily recyclable or compostable it is.

For example, making textiles from bamboo fibers requires the use of a lot of chemicals, and very often, the fabric supposedly made “from bamboo” will ultimately contain only a very small proportion of them.

« [Les textiles en bambou] are perhaps not as ecological as we would like you to believe,” recalled the Competition Bureau Canada in a press release in 2019.

Also, bamboo fibers are sometimes mixed with a melamine-based binder to make tableware, such as cups or plates for children. However, melamine is a substance that can migrate into food under the effect of heat, and if large quantities are ingested, this can present health risks.

In Canada, however, the sale of this tableware is still authorized, but the European Commission recently recalled that in its territory, it was prohibited for this reason.

The single-use problem

According to the two specialists, the problem with bamboo is that it is often shown as a green alternative to single-use plastic, when other avenues should be favored.

For example, compostable bamboo utensils are certainly an interesting alternative solution, but they remain an object that is only used for a few seconds before throwing it away, recalls Aurore Courtieux-Boinot.

According to her, to choose, the best would be to opt for reusable utensils; or otherwise, for cardboard utensils, recyclable and made in Quebec.

The same goes for toothbrushes. Certainly, the bamboo one may seem a better option than the plastic one, since it is presented as compostable and allows you to avoid making and throwing away a plastic object.

“But what is most ecological is to extend the lifespan of the object as much as possible,” recalls Aurore Courtieux-Boinot. “So, to choose, a metal toothbrush with an interchangeable head is certainly a better choice. »

Verdict ?

“Shortcuts like “it’s made of bamboo, so it’s necessarily better” should be avoided,” says Aurore Courtieux-Boinot.

The ideal if you choose to buy a bamboo object is that it has a label certifying that the plant is grown sustainably, that it is minimally processed, but above all, that it lasts a long time.

“For disposable things, it’s really questionable, but for things made to last, like furniture, it makes sense,” summarizes Elliot Muller.