Easily renewable bamboo turns up in plenty of household items

Bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth, has been cropping up in everyday household items: cutting boards, bath mats, frames, coasters and makeup applicators.

Made in China? More like grown in China, the predominant supplier of Moso bamboo, the most common species used in manufactured products.

Yes, the grass that thinks it's a wood has even made its way onto a laptop console, courtesy of Asus (available at Amazon.com, CDW.com and other retailers).

So what's the appeal? "Since bamboo grows and regenerates so quickly, it's clearly a renewable resource that can and has been used in many household products," said Elaine Fogerty, of Rutgers Agricultural Experiment Station.

In fact bamboo fits the criteria for a rapidly renewable material, meaning it has a harvest rotation of less than 10 years - three to five years to be precise - compared to 10 to 20 years for its tree counterparts.

Equipped with an extensive root system, bamboo continues to produce new shoots for decades and requires no replanting, according to the American Bamboo Society.

Bamboo is also cheaper than the more commonly used hard maple, said Kim Teresi of Chef Central in Paramus, N.J.

"Bamboo is more durable than hardwood," she said. "While bamboo is technically a grass, it is in fact harder than maple or oak. This means that even the sharpest knives will not easily scar it."

She is referring to cutting boards, the top seller of their bamboo inventory.

"All cutting boards gain a few scars and cuts throughout their lives. The shallower cuts, however, are far easier to clean and sanitize," she said. "Fewer deep cuts translate directly into fewer bacteria."

From an aesthetic standpoint, she notes, bamboo can be "visually stunning," particularly its contrast of light, its natural color and dark textures.

This makes it perfect for items like cheese-serving boards and salad bowls, Teresi said.