Bamboo is a fast-growing, highly renewable crop requiring little water and no pesticides. Bamboo also improves air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Viscose is a half-natural, half-synthetic fabric made from processed bamboo pulp. It’s also known as rayon. It goes through a chemical process that includes the use of carbon disulfide.
It’s Strong
Bamboo viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric created from one of the most sustainable plants on the planet. It’s a soft, luxurious choice combining sustainability with style, comfort, and functionality.
Bamboo rayon is an eco-friendly alternative to silk and traditional cotton fabrics. It’s smooth and gentle against the skin, which makes it an excellent choice for intimate apparel like t-shirts, pajamas, loungewear, and dresses. It’s also moisture-wicking and thermo-regulating, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Transporting can be a carbon-intensive stage in the life cycle of bamboo fabrics, so look for sustainable transportation brands. Large container ships emit half as much carbon dioxide per kilogram of weight and distance as trucks or planes (depending on the destination). Shop for OEKO-TEX-certified fabrics and avoid fast shipping options to reduce your bamboo rayon’s footprint.
It’s Eco-Friendly
Bamboo proliferates and requires fewer pesticides than other plants, making it a sustainable option. It also uses less water and is self-generating.
If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly option, consider bamboo-derived viscose made through the lyocell process (Tencel). This closed-loop production system uses significantly less toxic chemicals and is better for the environment. Alternatively, you can find a brand that produces bamboo viscose through the cellulose-to-viscose method, reducing waste.
It’s Soft
Bamboo viscose is incredibly soft, silky, and beautifully breathable against the skin. Its ultra-soft texture also makes it an excellent choice for babies and those with sensitive skin.
The fabric is also colorfast, accepting organic and natural dyes well. Bamboo viscose is a perfect choice for dresses, skirts, and shirts.
Although bamboo is very sustainable and environmentally friendly to cultivate, it still goes through a chemical process to become a semi-synthetic fiber such as rayon or viscose. If you’re buying bamboo clothing, you often purchase rayon or viscose fabric instead of bamboo textiles. Sadly, the manufacturing process of bamboo viscose uses a lot of chemicals like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide, which can harm factory workers and the environment through air emissions and wastewater.
It’s Comfortable
Bamboo fabric is soft and breathable. It’s also thermally regulating and has excellent moisture-wicking properties. It’s also odor-fighting and antibacterial.
Viscose is made from plant and wood cellulose. It can be made from many plants, including pine, eucalyptus, or bamboo. The chemical carbon disulfide is used in the production process. It can be released into the environment, so it’s essential to buy from brands that use a closed-loop system to keep this harmful chemical out of natural systems.
Choosing a brand that uses sustainable bamboo and is transparent about its processes is also essential. Check for certifications like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and FSC chain of custody. This means that bamboo wood comes from a responsibly managed forest and is processed in an environmentally friendly way.
