“Better to have no meat than no bamboo,” how much do Chinese people love bamboo?

China is the earliest country in the world to recognize, cultivate, and utilize bamboo. There are more than 1,640 known species of bamboo worldwide, belonging to 88 genera, and China alone has over 800 species across 39 genera. Due to its vast bamboo forests and diverse species, it is said that "the world looks to China for bamboo."

From dishes to utensils, dwellings to character traits, bamboo has played a unique and important role in Chinese history, profoundly influencing the material and spiritual lives of the Chinese people. Although Chinese people have lived side by side with bamboo for thousands of years, many may not fully understand it. By delving into the world of bamboo, you will discover a familiar yet unfamiliar realm.

01

 How Much Do Chinese People Love Bamboo?

The intimate relationship between Chinese people and bamboo is evident from many Chinese characters with the bamboo radical, such as dān (箪), guǐ (簋), zhù (箸), kuāng (筐), lán (篮), sì (笥), xiāng (箱), and lóng (笼). These culturally distinctive and uniquely crafted bamboo products showcase the deep cultural heritage of the Chinese civilization.

According to historical records, there were already over 60 types of daily items made from bamboo during the Han Dynasty, increasing to nearly 300 types by the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In Chinese living environments, the presence of bamboo adds elegance. Graceful green bamboo and secluded bamboo groves are classic scenes in Chinese gardens.

Even today, bamboo remains a building material for ethnic groups such as the Dai, Wa, and Jingpo.

For the Chinese, bamboo represents not only a material but also a character and spirit. Bamboo, along with plum, orchid, and chrysanthemum, is known as one of the "Four Gentlemen," symbolizing resilience, modesty, and integrity. Countless scholars and poets have used bamboo as a metaphor for self-reflection and aspiration. "A thousand trials and hardships cannot wear me down, I stand firm against all winds," is a testament to the enduring spirit of bamboo.

02

Bamboo's Low-Carbon Mission in the Age of Climate Change

Bamboo, known alongside pine and plum as the "Three Friends of Winter," has taken on the responsibility of sustainable development in the face of severe climate change challenges.

Today, bamboo in China is being given even more possibilities.

Bamboo grows rapidly, with an extensive root system that firmly anchors the soil, purifies it, and prevents erosion. A single bamboo plant can stabilize 6 cubic meters of soil, and 1 hectare of bamboo forest can store 1,000 tons of water. The bamboo industry is therefore referred to as a golden green industry.

Compared to general forests, bamboo forests have a stronger carbon sequestration capacity, with an annual carbon fixation rate 1.33 times that of tropical rainforests and 1.46 times that of fir trees. China's bamboo forests can reduce carbon emissions by 197 million tons annually and fix 105 million tons of carbon, totaling 302 million tons of carbon reduction and fixation. They also release 35% more oxygen than forests of the same area.

03

One-Time Afforestation, Continuous Use

"Holding fast to the green hills, rooted in the broken rocks," Zheng Xie praised the tenacious vitality of bamboo during the Qing Dynasty.

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Despite its tree-like appearance, bamboo is actually a grass that grows as quickly as weeds.

"The cells in the intercalary meristem of bamboo internodes not only divide rapidly but also elongate quickly. Each internode acts like a growth base, and these bases working together can build the bamboo 'skyscraper' in a short time."

It takes only 56 days for a bamboo shoot to break through the soil and grow into a new bamboo plant. A 20-centimeter-tall bamboo shoot can grow into a 2-meter-tall bamboo pole overnight. Bamboo can be harvested after 4 years, while wood requires at least 10 years to mature.

[A 20-meter-tall tree might take 60 years to grow, whereas a 20-meter-tall bamboo can reach this height in about 60 days.]

Bamboo forests produce new shoots and grow new bamboo annually. With timely harvesting and replanting the following year, a complete carbon fixation cycle is formed, truly achieving "one-time afforestation, continuous use."

04

Replacing Plastics and Wood with Bamboo

With its rapid regenerative capabilities, bamboo continues its mission from ancient times to the present, being manufactured into a variety of bamboo products to replace high-carbon alternatives and assist in achieving carbon neutrality.

Lenovo Group has independently developed bamboo fiber packaging, transforming the initiative to "replace plastics with bamboo" into a nationwide green action that integrates into the daily lives of millions of consumers globally. Over 8 million bamboo fiber packages have been sold to 180 countries and regions, bringing Chinese bamboo to the world in a new form.

Toilet paper is a significant consumable in our daily lives, with an annual domestic consumption of approximately 10 million tons. This results in massive deforestation and environmental degradation. Additionally, plastic packaging for toilet paper is a major source of pollution, with each ton of toilet paper requiring about 30 kg of plastic packaging.

Bamboo Comet uses rapidly renewable bamboo as raw material, efficiently utilizing bamboo resources to enhance carbon sequestration in bamboo forests and support the carbon fixation cycle. All products are packaged without plastic, and they have launched the "Ocean Friends" program, donating 0.3 yuan for each product sold to support plastic reduction activities.

(Bamboo naturally possesses antibacterial properties, and BambooComet's virgin bamboo pulp has passed FDA food-grade testing, making it safe for contact with food.)

A bamboo sprout spends 4 years growing just 3 cm.

In the fifth year, it finally breaks through the soil and grows at a rate of 30 cm per day, reaching 15 meters in just half a month.

In fact, during the first four years, the bamboo extends its roots over hundreds of square meters, focusing solely on establishing a strong foundation for the rapid growth in the fifth year.

The journey to carbon neutrality is similar. The initial silent efforts to establish a foundation may seem filled with uncertainty and waiting, but persistent rooting and dedication over the years will lead to a sustainable future marked by rapid growth, much like the bamboo.

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