Bamboo Organic Cotton Tote Bag
From LoveToKnow Organic
If you are looking for the perfect tote bag that is easy on the environment, then a bamboo organic cotton tote bag may be just what you’re looking for.
About Bamboo as a Fabric
A natural textile made from the pulp of bamboo grass, bamboo is the ultimate sustainable source for textiles. Because bamboo growth is quick and plentiful and typically doesn’t need pesticides or herbicides to grow, it is relatively easy to keep bamboo plantations organic. The stock of bamboo can be replenished annually.
Bamboo fabric has many properties that make it a perfect addition to a bamboo organic cotton tote bag including:
- It is light yet strong.
- It has great wicking properties.
- It has antibacterial properties.
- It is soft.
- It tends to be non-allergenic – people who have trouble with other natural fibers typically don’t have a reaction to bamboo.
- Very few chemicals are required to make unbleached bamboo fiber.
The bamboo fiber is similar to cotton in its raw state. Organic bamboo is unbleached, and is therefore an off-white color. Bamboo takes bright dyes well, but it is equally attractive in its unbleached state.
About Organic Cotton
Like bamboo, organic cotton is highly sustainable. Organic cotton is grown and processed in such a way that there is very little impact on the environment. Grown without fertilizers and pesticides, organic cotton is farmed in such a way that it replenishes soil fertility. Organic cotton, such as can be found in a bamboo organic cotton tote bag, is typically unbleached and undyed, reducing the chemical impact its production will have on the ecosystem.
Finding a Bamboo Organic Cotton Tote Bag
There are a number of tote bags made with bamboo and organic cotton.
- Take a look at this tote bag from Urban Outfitters, which is the perfect size for shopping.
- Here’s an affordable tote bag from Naturally Bamboo – it’s only $6.
Other Sustainable Textiles
If you can’t find an organic cotton bamboo tote bag to your liking, you may want to check out bags made with these other sustainable fibers.
Hemp
Like cotton and bamboo, hemp can be organically grown and is sustainable and renewable. Hemp grows extremely quickly, and produces more fiber yield per year than other sustainable fibers like cotton and flax. Like bamboo, hemp is an extremely strong fiber, and products made with hemp fabrics don’t wear out easily. Other benefits of hemp fabrics:
- Hemp holds its shape extremely well, meaning less stretching and better durability.
- Hemp gets softer with use.
- Hemp is resistant to mold and ultraviolet light.
Flax (Linen)
The strongest of the natural vegetable fibers, linen has two to three times the strength of cotton. Linen comes from the stalk of the flax plant. It has a natural wax content that gives the fabric luster. Other benefits of linen:
- Highly absorbent
- A good conductor of heat
- Is a good “cool” fabric for warm temperatures
Sustainable Fabrics from Animal Sources
This category includes fabrics like wool, silk and cashmere. Cashmere, which comes from goats, can be collected by either shearing the goats or combing them. Wool, which comes from sheep, is collected by shearing. Silk is collected from the cocoons of silk worms.
All three of these fabrics can be created with minimal processing, and can be left undyed or dyed with natural, low-impact dyes.
Whether you choose organic cotton, bamboo, or other organic fibers, you can feel good that your bag was made in a way that doesn’t harm the environment.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 596 times. This page was last modified 07:06, 24 March 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
Print this page
Follow ltk on twitter
Visit us on facebook