Is Bamboo a Sustainable Building Material?

Bamboo flooring has gained considerable attention in sustainable design because it is a hardy, durable product from a renewable resource which helps deter harvesting of old-growth forests for wood products. However, production of bamboo flooring has social impacts on labor, requires transit energy, contains little to no recycled material, can negatively impact ecosystems and can have a negative affect on indoor air quality.

Most bamboo flooring is manufactured in the Pacific Rim, generally in China or Vietnam. While the species grown and harvested for flooring does not detract from food source for endangered species, like Panda, the land use implications can be environmentally destructive.

To date, bamboo forests have not replaced natural forest areas but they do create a monoculture which is has less biodiversity. Bamboo can be an aggressive invader of nearby forests if not managed properly and newly planted areas can lead to problems with erosion. Established stands can alleviate erosion problems but the short-term economic incentives for farmers to over harvest do little to stabilize soils and lead to unsustainable farming practices.

A positive note about growing Bamboo for flooring is that it does not require use of pesticides and fertilizers used are often organic. The other direct environmental benefit of bamboo stands is that the fast growth rate of the plants sequesters carbon dioxide at rapid rates while they are growing.

Life-cycle analysis of bamboo flooring products should take into account energy consumption and air emissions resulting from long-distance transportation requirements. Bamboo is harvested in the Pacific Rim in large part because the cost of labor is low.

There is not clear evidence that socially-responsible worker conditions exist for farm laborers or factory workers in Asian companies that produce bamboo flooring. This is a considerable factor in rating the products’ sustainability and is unlikely to change. In addition, no American companies grow bamboo for building construction use so any bamboo flooring used in North America has incurred tremendous energy use for transportation.

Another concern with bamboo flooring is its impact on indoor air quality. There is a wide range of toxicity across bamboo flooring products. Some contain no preservatives while others contain arsenic or copper compounds. There is also a spectrum with the use of urea-formaldehyde binders. Formaldehyde-free bamboo flooring can qualify for LEED Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) credit for low-emitting composite materials but some products that contain certain types of formaldehydes create questions about VOC emissions and air quality.

I had a small interior project a few years ago which intended to improve energy efficiency and air quality in a 900 sq foot space. Initially, bamboo flooring seemed to be the optimal choice to meet the project’s goals and client priorities. However, after some research into the bamboo flooring manufacturing process, the final material decision was to use locally available reclaimed hardwood.

Although bamboo is attractive as a renewable material, the processes involved with growing practices, labor and transportation need to be addressed, monitored and standardized in order to justify the material’s sustainability. If managed properly, the resource can fulfill its potential in sustainable building construction. At current, it is not as green as it could be.

When will it reach its potential as a truly green building material? First, bamboo products need to acquire a chain-of-custody certification, like the one from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) that ensures the forest is diverse, ecologically sustainable and socially beneficial. Second, a nod from a Fair Trade commission would eliminate questions about the labor practices associated with harvesting and purchasing bamboo. Third, lose the formaldehyde.

Is bamboo renewable? Yes. Is it sustainable? Not yet.

References:

*Note: The information in this article is general advice and not meant as a substitute for personal guidance from a financial advisor, real estate professional, general contractor or legal counsel. Although the author is a licensed realtor, the advice given in this article does not constitute any client contract or agreement between the author and the user. The author is not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your decisions.