As our planet’s natural resources decline day by day, the importance of producing goods that respect our environment is clear now more than ever. Whether you’re a consumer or a company, choosing to buy and use sustainable materials is an important step towards preserving planet earth for future generations. At Zinus, we’re committed to delivering products that are sustainably manufactured and sourced. And as part of this initiative, we’re proud to now offer beds made with bamboo.

So why is sustainability so important, and what does your furniture have to do with it? You may find the answers very eye-opening.

Why is sustainably sourced furniture important?

As a consumer, purchasing sustainably made products is one of the most significant ways you can help preserve planet earth’s natural resources for future generations to use. By choosing furniture made from sustainable materials and produced in environmentally friendly ways, you'll be making a mindful decision to reduce your own ecological impact. This also sends a message that encourages businesses to continue sourcing, producing, and distributing in ways that respect our environment.

When selecting sustainable furniture, here are a few things to look for:

• Products made and/or packed with recycled materials
• Products produced with reduced waste or no waste
• Products made with a reduced carbon footprint, such as those produced in solar-powered facilities
• Well-made products designed to last for generations without the need for replacement
• Products made with sustainable natural materials, like bamboo

Since wood is a finite and rapidly decreasing resource for furniture production, using bamboo as a sustainable alternative to wood is a vital step in reducing our ecological footprint.

Despite its incredible strength and rigidity that’s akin to wood, bamboo is a type of grass. When used in furniture, it’s often referred to as “bamboo wood” because it can produce a look and feel similar to lumber. But unlike wood, bamboo is much more sustainable to grow.

Why is bamboo considered sustainable?

Bamboo is an incredible plant for many reasons. It is considered environmentally friendly because:

• It’s one of the fastest growing plants in the world
• It can be farmed successfully without pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers
• It produces more oxygen and absorbs more carbon dioxide than most trees

1. Fast growing

The growth rate of bamboo is nothing short of amazing. Certain species can grow as much as 35 inches per day, according to Guiness World Records where it holds the current title of fastest growing plant. Because of this, it can be harvested in most cases after 3 – 7 years; a mere fraction of the decades that most trees must grow before being cut.

The process of harvesting bamboo is also much more efficient, because the roots do not need to be cut. This means that farmers can skip the time and labor involved with replanting after a harvest. In fact, bamboo regenerates even faster after being cut by growing new leaves that direct their energy toward growing new shoots.

2. No pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers

Because bamboo naturally grows so quickly and needs very little water, it doesn’t require the use of added chemicals to help it flourish. Certain pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides have been known to hinder biodiversity in the ecosystems they come in contact with. In areas where bamboo is grown, the animals and other plants in its environment can remain intact and unharmed by these chemical growth enhancers.

3. More oxygen and more carbon dioxide absorption

Bamboo colonies produce about 35% more oxygen than trees of the same mass. And even better, a 2019 study showed that bamboo absorbs and stores carbon dioxide up to 6 times more than wood. With global warming on the rise in recent years due to significant jumps in carbon dioxide emissions, bamboo farming has the potential to become a powerful tool in fighting climate change.

Why choose bamboo furniture?

Putting aside its sustainability, bamboo is known for its incredible strength and durability. Particularly resistant to being crushed or pulled apart, certain species of bamboo have a higher compressive strength than wood, brick, or concrete. And unlike wood, bamboo shoots don't have weak points along their structure, making it a very flexible material that can bend without breaking.

Additionally, bamboo offers a unique and distinct look with regular nodes in its grain pattern. And it can be stained to just about any color.

This means that products like our Suzanne Bamboo and Metal Platform Beds are designed to look beautiful and hold up for the long haul. All with the peace of mind you get from purchasing a product made with sustainable material.