Eco-Logic Bamboo

“Carbon footprint & Embodied Energy”

In order to address the following two questions on carbon footprint & embodied energy, we have used this study, comparing locally sourced concrete to bamboo flooring, as the basis of our answers. Unfortunately the study is full of the usual jargon & acronyms bandied about by the professionals who perform these kinds of studies, so we’ve tried our best to pull out the important bits for you.

The study compares the amount of embodied energy inherent in imported bamboo flooring and compares this to that of locally sourced concrete.

We have adjusted the numbers in the study, updated in the table below, to reflect more accurately on South African conditions. Obviously concrete & bamboo flooring are not generally considered to be directly competing products (actually they are), but the study does serve to illustrate relevant points for consideration.

“Bamboo has an increased carbon footprint, from an African perspective, as it has to be transported far”

Bamboo vs Local Concrete - embodied emissions chart

All things considered, locally sourced is generally better.

Transport is one of the biggest producers of CO₂ emissions (CO₂e). So the Carbon Footprint of any product that is transported (or mined or harvested using machines) must be evaluated.

When comparing bamboo flooring to locally sourced concrete, the bamboo flooring emits 17% less CO₂ per ton than the equivalent amount of locally sourced concrete.

So it can be seen that bamboo flooring, when compared to concrete (in this study), even though it has to travel such a long distance, compares favourably in terms of CO₂e.

The main reason for this is that transport by ship (the majority of the distance traveled), is the most CO₂e efficient means of transporting bulk materials.

What is often not considered, is the contribution bamboo forests make to the reversing of the negative effects of CO₂e (effectively negating the emissions produced manufacturing & transporting bamboo flooring) and other environmental factors. Here are some points for consideration:

• Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth, producing 30% more oxygen than a hardwood forest of similar size.
• Bamboo, whilst producing this much oxygen, absorbs up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare, making it more efficient than hardwood trees.
• Bamboo increases its biomass by 10-30% per year, which far exceeds that of trees, which is 2-5% annually.
• Bamboo improves watersheds, prevents soil erosion, and removes toxins (heavy metals – often caused by polluting factories) from contaminated soils and water.
• Bamboo can be fully recycled.

When one factors in the contributions of bamboo in the full Cradle to Cradle scenario. Plus the factoring in of the additional CO₂e emissions generated in the rehabilitation of the quarries (not considered in this study), we expect the the CO₂e advantage of bamboo over concrete, as per this study will be greater than the calculated 17%.

What about embodied energy? Read on …