What distinguishes bamboo from other materials is their ability to face global challenges in an intermediate manner such as climate change, reduce poverty, environmental conservation, construction flexibility, and now plastic pollution.
In addition to its ability to replace the one -use plastic materials, the factory can maybe As a strong carbon basin. As a tool installed in Land restorationBamboo can flourish on the deteriorating marginal lands with the minimum agricultural input.
It also grows rapidly and connects the soil thanks to the wide networks of root roots (thick thick, underground) that creates. Recently, bamboo made news after flooding in Pakistan And earthquakes in EcuadorBecause it is a strong, low -cost and flexible material for post -disaster reconstruction efforts.
Bamboo as an alternative to plastic
In the past few years, China has created many initiatives and plans to achieve bamboo capabilities as an alternative to plastic.
In 2022, Inbar cooperated with the Chinese government to launch bamboo as an alternative to plastic (Basp) initiative. It aims to take advantage of bamboo to reduce plastic pollution and address climate change and acceleration completion From the United Nations agenda for the year 2030 for sustainable development. The ultimate goal of the BasP is to enhance new global models and patterns through the entire bamboo products series, which can replace plastic.
The Chinese government has taken many supportive measures to facilitate the implementation of the BasP.
In 2023, the National Administration of Forestry and Herbal Lands in China and Inbar Participate in its launch The first international symposium on bamboo as an alternative to plastic. As part of the event, it was the global action plan for BasP Absolute. It is the main framework for the coordination and increase of the BASP international procedure, and completes it local China’s action plan.
The Chinese plan targets three areas of plastic constitution: daily necessities, industrial products, architecture and building materials. By 2025, it also aims to: create an initial industrial system for Pamboo for plastic; Increase the comprehensive added value of the main bamboo products for plastic by more than 20 percent in relation to 2022 numbers; Improving the comprehensive use rate of bamboo materials by 20 percent.
Achieving this goal will require a high degree of multi -sectors and strong government support. It is believed that this ambitious goal can be achieved under the appropriate circumstances. It requires “joint efforts from all stakeholders and actors based on their capabilities, knowledge and techniques to follow up and achieve their goals of overcoming plastic pollution.”
One example of this practice can be seen in Angie County in East China, Zhejiang Province. Although it is home to only 1.8 percent of the national bamboo forest resources, Anji is responsible for 10 percent Of the total value of national production.
The region is characterized by a sustainable center for production and treatment of bamboo, integration of environmental tourism, food and biofuels. It highlights the strength of coordination in industry, government support and public participation incentivize The regional development of bamboo on traditional plastic materials.
Through policies appropriate for empowerment and work frameworks, similar groups can appear in other regions rich in bamboo in the global south. “The bamboo -based plastic industries are still in other countries in their cradle, and they can learn from the experience of China,” says Fang.
For these countries, the creation of a national strategy is a top priority. This will align stakeholders in the sector and ensure coherent growth. Within their specific contexts, countries must develop a national policy that includes various tax incentives mechanisms: the state of tax exemption for small and medium enterprises; Tax discounts on imported equipment, tools and machines; And simplified procedures for importing materials. These measures will help attract investment and enhance value chains in bamboo.
International feasibility of bamboo production chains
In 2023, INBAR led a major international experimental project to assess the bamboo value chains, which is expected to conclude next year. It is achieved in genes, agriculture, physical characteristics, products and life cycle assessments in six countries, which represent areas rich in bamboo through tropical and semi -tropical belts: Vietnam, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Cameron, Ecuador and Brazil.
The researchers have yet to investigate many high -yielding bamboo types, including Oxytenanthera abyssinicaand Guadoa Angelsvolia (“Kunt”) Thysostachys olivei (“Gambling”), for the growth rate, structural properties, genetic reactions and more.
In addition, and Oxytenanthera abyssinica Agriculture Directory has been translated into English, to direct training, spread knowledge and develop its presence in Africa. Imposities were conducted to determine the appropriate plastic goods for replacement. In Ethiopia, which has a national bamboo policy rangeCurtains include windows, handbags and packaging.
World Trade plays a vital role in this initiative, with the support of resources such as CountyA comprehensive database to track international trade flows. But before 2017, bamboo was classified as wood. This was due to the lack of codes of the accurate coordinated system (HS), which constitutes a digital system for the classification of goods and definitions. Distinguished 2018 in the first year when New HS codes Completely implemented, including categories of woven products, building materials and more. These countries enabled the report accurately about the bamboo trade.
This new data is of high value. It has revealed table tools and kitchen tools to be the most circulating bamboo commodities, followed by daily use products such as toothpicks. It provides accuracy Mapping One of the international trade flows, which helps decision makers to determine markets whose resources should be allocated to achieve the maximum impact.
It is also a “evidence of the concept”, as the revised figures show that bamboo goods were circulated in nearly twice the amount of the previously estimated dollar – jumping from $ 1.7 billion in 2017 to 3.2 billion products suitable for the environment, which was previously believed, It is very important to transform the general perceptions of the factory.
Bamboo cultivation can be widely raised environmental fears and forests. The type of management system can dictate, selecting local biological species and diversity, completely different results. In general, bamboo can flourish with agriculture, silvic cultivation (forest resources management), and circular economy ApproachWhich enhances all biological diversity and allows the cultivation of other forest crops.
These also provide additional economic benefits for farmers by diversifying income flows. Since bamboo can grow on the ground optimal, it can maintain local forests and avoid infringement of the original biological diversity. These procedures depend on the selection of non -invasive species and the use of sustainable cultivation techniques.
Make a feet
There are still serious challenges. For example, many bamboo products are still in circulation with HS codes for wood titles, such as bamboo coal and bamboo floors. In addition, to enter the European Union market, which has Systems On imports free from forest removal, bamboo should meet the same requirements and standards as wood. But the bamboo is a kind of grass and it is completely various The growth pattern and the management system for trees. This puts an arduous financial burden on bamboo producers.
Reducing definitions on bamboo products can also make them more competitive with plastic products, which already have low tariffs.
Public, private and third sectors organizations should work alongside financial resources that will help small bamboo institutions to medium. With financing, they can increase, refine and automate production, design favorable policy frameworks, empower conditions, and develop product quality standards.
Moreover, farmers and rural societies need more convenient and affordable ties with external certificates and training systems. Meanwhile, public campaigns (which have been implemented between the state, civil society and the media) should be raised to consume the consumer about the role of bamboo in reducing plastic pollution.
Any solution across the border and thus multifaceted in nature should be to harness the potential of bamboo. Through the correct initiatives and frameworks, the factory can be the power that the world needs to help face the challenges of our time.
This article was originally published on Earth dialogue Under the creative public license.