Don't have a cow, please

As more and more people are exposed to the facts about cotton farming, like the fact that it's the most pesticide- and herbicide-intensive crop on the planet, we see more and more alternative clothing fibers cropping up. But King Cotton – the fabrication of our lives – clings tightly to its stranglehold on the international textile industry.

When we launched the original HempShak in 1994, we could see that it was going to be an uphill battle against monopolies and misinformation. In those 15 years, the hemp industry has grown incrementally, despite the fiber's long litany of advantages. The crop remains impeded by a century of propaganda and draconian prohibition.

But the field of alternative fibers is spreading. Today we enjoy a wide array of organic cotton products and a burgeoning wardrobe of superlatively renewable, surprisingly affordable and incredibly comfortable bamboo. Still, it's not easy for these cottage industries to butt heads with cotton.

Now, there's finally an industry with enough muscle to challenge king cotton. Got milk? That's right, now they're making clothing from fiber spun from milk. Yes, probably the only sector of the agriculture industry that can rival cotton for its environmental devastation: dairy. Learn more.

Unlike hemp and bamboo, milk is deeply entrenched in the fabric of our society. Consider the overwhelmingly effective and persuasive "Got Milk" campaign. Yet the genuine health hazards of milk consumption and the environmental (not to mention humanitarian) ramifications posed by dairy farming are enough to tie your intestines in a square knot (metaphorically speaking, of course). July's issue of Good Housekeeping features a milk-fiber t-shirt for $110. It will be interesting to see where this all leads.

Bringin' it home

We thought we were being pretty innovative when we launched the House of Bamboo back in early 2006.

Then we found out about the team at Bamboo Living in Haiku, Hawaii. They've taken the house-of-bamboo idea a step further, and they're actually building homes of bamboo!

In addition to being built with a readily renewable resource – each bamboo house saves about an acre of trees – Bamboo Living Homes also meet or exceed all state and federal safety standards, are engineered to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes, and provide the highest level indoor air quality.

Bamboo Living offers both custom and pre-fab homes of bamboo, and they even work with lenders who can help you finance your eco dream-home.

Loco for locals

Because sustainability is more than just a fashion statement — it's also a lifestyle choice — we're pleased to introduce the latest in our stimulating line of Bambu Batu t-shirts, printed locally on 70% bamboo + 30% organic cotton.

To be worn proudly as you graze the stands of your favorite farmer's market. And if you live here in SLO County, you can attend a farmer's market virtually every day of the week. Our favorites are in front of Scolaris (Arroyo Grande) Wednesday mornings and Ramona Park (Grover Beach) on Sunday afternoons. Of course, all the tourists flock to Higuera Street on Thursday nights for food and fun.

Fresh, local, organic... for all the right reasons.

Search, and you will find

So this bloke walks into Bambu Batu last week wearing a bright blue Google t-shirt. And I think to myself, maybe I can sell this guy a nice new bamboo shirt so he doesn't have to wear this promotional tee that he probably got for free at some geek convention in silicon valley.

He tells me he works for Google, and that comes as no surprise. Then he tells me it's actually a bamboo t-shirt. Color me incredulous!

Yes, I was skeptical, so I, uh, googled it. Sure enough, in line with their commitment to sustainability, the Google squad is actually sporting bamboo comfort.

If you're looking for a web page or an elusive factoid, just Google it! But if you're looking for anything made from bamboo, just Bambu Batu it!

Goodness gracious, what giant grasses!

We've all heard what an amazingly hardy and fast-growing plant bamboo is, but I continue to be amazed by the thousands of varieties and their wild diversity up shapes, colors and sizes. Take a look at this monster. (No, I'm not talking about the girl.)

And visit John Hardy's blog for more great info on building with bamboo.

All bamboo is lucky... but not vice versa

It happens twice or thrice a week. A customer walks into the store with a look of determination on his or her face and asks if we actually sell just bamboo. Now, I have complete appreciation for a customer who knows what they want, but since this is an all-bamboo store, and virtually every item in here is bamboo, I usually just raise my eyebrows in expectation, waiting for a more specific request.

As often as not, when someone says they're just looking for actual bamboo, it's actually the plant commonly called Lucky Bamboo that they're seeking. As it happens, however, this "lucky bamboo" is really a species of dracaena, and entirely unrelated to the vast sub-family of true bamboos. (see photo above for contrast)

Dracaena sanderiana resembles bamboo in appearance, but is actually a hardy houseplant that thrives in water (no soil needed) and requires little or no natural sunlight (making it perfect for offices, bathrooms, and other indoor settings). Its appearance and ultra low-maintenance attributes are probably what earned it the name lucky bamboo.

In the Orient, Dracaena sanderiana has long been revered as a great remedy for feng shui. It is, in fact, quite lucky, but bamboo it's not. The 1200+ varieties of true bamboo technically belong to the grass family. They require full or at least partial sun exposure, some type of soil medium, and should most certainly be grown outdoors.

Because Bambu Batu is located indoors, with one large, east-facing window, it's fairly difficult to keep a true bamboo plant happy and healthy. We generally keep one specimen by the front door, where it gets good sun and plenty of fresh air, but I also rotate it with other potted bamboo specimens from my yard at home, so they are never stuck indoors for too long a stretch.

As for the Lucky Bamboo, yes, we do sell it. It is one of the 5 or 6 items at Bambu Batu not actually made from bamboo : )
...along with the Sparx soy candles, Sweet Earth fair trade chocolate, and No Enemy organic cotton t-shirts.

The Cycle of Scraps

Witness and be a part of the unending cycle of life with your very own kitchen scraps. And our new Bamboo Kitchen Counter Composter will help you do it in style. This handsome piece includes enhanced counter-top intelligence, with a plastic inside liner that can be easily removed and washed by hand or with the energy-saving dishwasher of your choice. Expect to see them at Bambu Batu no later than the first week of June. Call or stop by the shop for availability.
*UPDATE* Bamboo Compost Pails are now here!