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About Us
As the worlds industrial populations come to understand their
real and negative impact on the health of the global environment, and consequently, the
health of every living thing on earth, we, at EcoDesignz, are providing eco-friendly
choices available to individuals that will have a positive impact on our planet.
EcoDesignz does this through the creation of consumer goods made from an amazing,
versatile, renewable resource: Bamboo.
Sustainability. EcoDesignz aspires to join the growing movement toward producing
and making goods available to the public that are sustainable and which have the least
impact on our delicate ecosystems. Imagine these sustainable and biodegradable goods in
the form of beautiful furniture, super soft, attractive clothing and functional, elegant
accessories developed all from organic bamboo! Our goals also include minimal, recyclable
and biodegradable packaging.
EcoDesignz and EcoThreadz were founded in 2004 and 2005, respectively, by a husband-wife
team with a vision for providing the global economy with an earth friendly alternative
away from deforestation for flooring and furniture, and a natural fiber option different
from cotton and other fabrics, by providing these goods in a beautiful, sustainable
material - Bamboo.
More About Bamboo.
Splendor in the Grass. Bamboo is arguably one of the
worlds best sustainable resources. With a growth rate of up to a meter or more per
day, bamboo holds the world record as the fastest growing plant. And, bamboo is actually
not a wood but a grass, continuously sending up new shoots after harvesting without a need
for replanting. Bamboo can be utilized in just 4-5 years unlike traditional hardwoods that
not only take 25-70 years to mature, but also require replanting.
Good for the Environment.
Fighting Global Warming. Bamboo takes in nearly 5 times the
amount of greenhouse gasses, and produces 35% more oxygen, than an equivalent stand of
trees, making it an efficient replenisher of fresh air. Energy from the sun reaches the
earth as short-wave radiation; some is absorbed and, historically, some is radiated back
as long-wave radiation. The increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere trap
an inordinate amount of long-wave radiation on earth. This increase is attributable to
human activity and its production of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas. Human
activity is also responsible for the severe damage to earths ability to absorb CO2
as a result of the destruction of forests and depletion of the ozone layer, which allows
UV-B radiation to destroy the oceanic plankton, one of the major filters for CO2.
By encouraging the growth and utilization of bamboo, we can begin to
combat global warming. Bamboo removes CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis by
using carbon as an energy source and converting it into plant tissue which releases oxygen
as a by-product. 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. While tree plantations must be chopped down
for harvest, bamboo renews itself by sending up new shoots constantly. The ability of
bamboo to rapidly take up excess nutrients contained in waste waters from manufacturing,
intensive livestock farming and sewerage plants has captured the attention of industrial
and municipal engineers seeking to establish environmentally safe and reliable ways to
deal with such issues.
Healthy Soil. Bamboo also stabilizes the earth with its
erosion preventing roots, and improves the health of the soil by sequestering excess
nitrogen. Cotton crops require wide spacing that allow bare soils to bake and oxidize,
releasing carbon into the atmosphere and decreasing soil fertility. Further, bamboo
retains water in the watershed, reduces runoff, sustains riverbanks, and helps mitigate
water pollution due to its high nitrogen consumption.
Organic. Bamboo is also good for our ecosystems because it
does not require chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
Panda safe. Incidentally, there are over 1200 species of
bamboo on this planet. All our products are manufactured from Moso bamboo, which is not
the species eaten by Pandas.
Bamboo Apparel: Clothing, Yarn and More!
EcoThreadz produces a natural fiber alternative to cotton, wool, hemp and synthetic fibers
like polyester and nylon, which is super soft, moisture wicking, and doesn't harbor odor, under the trade name, Spun BambooŽ.
Fashion. Bamboo clothing is something special. It drapes like
silk, it feels as soft and good as silk, but it is more practical because it is durable
and much less expensive and versatile. Imagine that, clothing that looks good, feels good
and is good for the environment!
Better than cotton. Bamboo is the new cotton...it has
all the properties that you physically want out of cotton, plus some. Bamboo is more
antibacterial than [other fabrics like] cotton or wool, which are very absorbent and hold
moisture in. Because Bamboo wicks moisture away, its great for your circulation and
skin. LAtimes.com, September 25, 2005.
Super Soft Yet Durable. Bamboo fiber is softer than the
softest cotton, has a natural sheen to the surface and feels similar to silk or cashmere.
But, it has a very high soil release value and is so durable; you can throw it in the
washer and drier.
Breathable. Due to bamboo fibers cross section which is
composed of a matrix with various microscopic gaps, bamboo fiber is more breathable,
comfortable and thermal regulating than cotton, wool or any other synthetic fiber thereby
keeping you cooler, drier and more comfortable all day. This unique micro-structure allows
bamboo apparel to absorb and evaporate perspiration faster than any other fabric.
Its nice not to have your clothes sticking to your skin in the hot summer or during
exercise!
Hypoallergenic & UV Protection. Bamboo apparel is
hypoallergenic. Bamboos organic and natural fiber properties make it non-irritating
to the skin making it a pleasant alternative for anyone with skin sensitivities or other
allergies and dermatitis. Bamboo apparel also protects you from UV rays, naturally.
Environment. Our Bamboo apparel is good for our ecosystems
because Bamboo does not require pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers, and does not
involve the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In contrast, cotton crops are
one of the most intensely sprayed crops in the world receiving 3-5 times greater
application of pesticides per acre than other crops like corn or soybeans. The chemicals
used on the cotton crops are linked to ground and surface water contamination, and even
the pollution of drinking water (such nitrates from nitrogen fertilizer are known to cause
methemoglobinemia, or blue baby syndrome in infants). Cotton crop pesticides
are also the greatest crop contributor to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which
contribute to low level ozone and smog formation, increasing the green house effect. These
chemicals are also documented as causing death and loss of reproductive ability in fish
and wildlife. It may surprise you to know that it takes about a pound of chemicals to grow
the cotton contained in a cotton t-shirt and pants.
Biodegradable. Further, Bamboo fibers are biodegradable,
unlike synthetic textile fibers. Synthetic textile fibers are also made from non-renewable
petroleum, and can even emit harmful gasses when incinerated. Almost all polyester/cotton
blend fabrics are finished with formaldehyde, a carcinogen, added to make fabrics wrinkle
or flame resistant. Our bamboo blends have no such chemical applications, and are all in
compliance with, and have passed, the Class 1 flammability requirements for JCPenney,
PPS#10-0804, under JCP-FL04-0902 and the Flammable Fabrics Act, 16 CFR, Chapter 11, Part
1610, Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles.
Furniture, Flooring & Accessories.
EcoDesignz is making positive steps towards reducing our dependence on dwindling timber
resources by producing and making available to the public high quality residential and
commercial furnishings and accessories produced entirely from bamboo.
Due to recent technological advancements, it is now possible to
convert raw bamboo culms into more conventional lumber and plywood such that it can be
used to build virtually anything that traditionally has been made from wood. Our
experience has shown that bamboo products are highly appreciated because not only do their
unique grain and color add warmth and beauty not found in most hardwood products, but more
importantly bamboos incredibly fast growth cycle makes it an environmentally sound
and sustainable alternative for almost anything made from wood, plastic or metal. And
bamboos inherent strength and hardness actually makes it a better option for many
products such as tables, chairs and flooring.
Modern. Bamboo can be increasingly seen in homes as flooring
because of its exquisite beauty, durability and environmental qualities. Bamboo is
stronger than steel in tension, stronger than concrete in compression, and more stable
than red oak. Bamboo can withstand up to 52,000 pounds of pressure p.s.i.
Our designs are contemporary in style, and have clean lines and sleek construction. This
is complimented by bamboos delicate and unique grain, created by
notch-like sections that are smooth, but give the look of a 3D image.
EcoDesignz offers both vertical and horizontal grains and two hues: a natural blonde and a
carbonized, caramel color, for strikingly beautiful effects.
No Off Gassing. Our bamboo products are made with E-1
certified glue, which meets the tough European standards for off-gassing. Our EcoDesignz
furniture is virtually formaldehyde-free unlike other laminated products, or furniture and
floors with varnish or similar finishes that emit formaldehyde long after manufacture.
For all these reasons, we feel
bamboo is an excellent choice as a raw material for some of the most highly produced
consumables in the world today. And by offering products every bit as good and in fact
superior to what is available to the general public now, there is no compromising
necessary. Buying bamboo offers an amazing alternative that will help in our march to stop
global warming and protect our precious ecosystems.
Our Products.
EcoDesignz high end, solid bamboo furniture and flooring collection, including
dining tables, coffee tables, cabinets, chairs and chests, will add timeless and natural
beauty to any room or office.
Our bamboo fiber clothing is second to none, and totally performance
driven. We are able to manufacture extraordinary garments that are perfect for all
climates, and include mens and womens shirts, tank tops, camisoles, sweaters,
hooded zip jackets, bottoms, yoga pants, sweaters, undergarments, sports bras and athletic
socks. We also produce the softest towels, bed sheets and knitting yarn.
We hope you will take a moment to explore bamboos
possibilities in furniture and apparel, learn a bit about bamboo, and perhaps find an item
that piques your interest. If you would like something in particular you don't find here,
please don't hesitate to let us know. We are always asking our customers what they would
like to see made out of bamboo and would love to hear your ideas. Please check back often
for new products! Thank you for your support!
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