Keith Holleyman24 Beauchamp Road Battersea London, SW11 1PQ, United Kingdom, 44 020 7223 7212, keith@futonsonline.co.ukBamboo Furniturehttp://www.futonsonline.co.uk16:06 09-Sep-2010Bamboo is one of the most important substitutes found in nature for the endangered rainforests of the world. It is quick-growing, versatile and can be used extensively for a wide range of purposes and products The strength of the “culms” as the hollow stems are called, their straightness, smoothness and lightness combined with hardness, the facility and regularity with which they can be split; the different sizes, various lengths and thickness of their joints give Bamboo qualities that are unmatched by regular timber products. For centuries in rural areas of Asia Bamboo has been the main material used in the construction of housing and flooring. It is known to be a natural and excellent raw material for manufacturing strong and sturdy furniture, handicrafts, basketware, matting, rayon and paper, and is used as food, fodder and fuel wood. As a natural and renewable resource bamboo offers an opportunity to turn away from the destruction of native forests towards managed commercial plantations that can be selectively harvested annually without the destruction of the grove or stand. In Asia, the history of bamboo is so inextricably interwoven with the history of man that it could be characterized as a bamboo civilisation Since the commodity is multipurpose and processing is labour-intensive, bamboo-based development leads to the creation of new employment opportunities and income generation especially in rural communities, it also increases the expansion of opportunities for women in the work force (Source: N. Manokaran). Relatively few species of bamboo are however currently used on a commercial scale. The more products and uses that can be developed with bamboo the better, as our environment and atmosphere will benefit. The link that follows will give a comprehensive informative journey around the world of Bamboo, please have a look. http://www.bamboocentral.org/shareinrepair/steps.htm
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