Bamboo in paper and packaging
Short answer: Bamboo contains cellulose just like wood and can therefore be used for paper. It is used for kitchen roll, toilet paper, napkins and packaging such as card and cardboard, among other things.
Cellulose is the key
Paper is made from cellulose fibres that are suspended in water and then pressed and dried into a thin sheet. Bamboo contains cellulose and can be used in the same way as wood. The stems are broken down and cooked into a pulp, and that pulp becomes paper.
Fibre length
Bamboo fibres are relatively long, which gives the paper strength. Long fibres mesh together better than short ones, so the sheet holds together better. Many paper types blend different fibres to get the right balance of strength, softness and surface, and bamboo can be part of such a blend.
Uses
Kitchen roll, napkins, toilet paper and card are the most common uses. In household paper, both strength and absorbency matter. In card, stiffness is what counts. Bamboo paper usually looks and feels like other paper, and the difference lies mostly in the raw material.
Packaging for parcels
Bamboo is also used in card and cardboard. Here strength for weight is what matters, because a box must protect its contents and still be light to send. Bamboo packaging ranges from small boxes to larger shipping cartons, depending on how thick and stiff the material is.
What the pack says
If a paper product says bamboo, it is worth checking how much of it actually is bamboo. Some products are made entirely from bamboo, others are a blend with wood fibres or recycled paper. The product information tells you what it is made of, and that is what you can rely on.
Same raw material as textiles
Paper and viscose both build on the cellulose from the plant, but the processes differ. In paper, the fibres are kept and meshed together. For viscose, the cellulose is fully dissolved and formed into new, long threads that can be spun into yarn. Read more in what is bamboo viscose.
From plant to fabric
The route from stem to fabric has several steps. The stems are broken down, and the cellulose is dissolved chemically and pressed through fine holes to form threads. The threads are spun into yarn, which is knitted or woven into fabric. See the process in from bamboo plant to soft fabric.
Recycling
Bamboo paper is recycled like other paper and goes in the paper bin. Textiles, on the other hand, belong in textile collection, even when they are made from bamboo viscose. Check your local sorting rules. Read more in how to hand in old clothes for recycling.
A grass
Bamboo can be used for paper just like wood, but the plant is not a tree. It is a grass that grows fast and forms new stems from the same root network. The cellulose in the stem makes it useful for both paper and textiles. Read more in is bamboo a grass or a tree.
See the range
If you want to see how cellulose from bamboo ends up as clothing, you will find the range in one place. It includes basics and everyday wear in bamboo viscose, soft and smooth against the skin. See bamboo clothing for women and bamboo clothing for men.
Frequently asked questions
Can paper be made from bamboo?
Yes. Bamboo contains cellulose like wood and is used for kitchen roll, toilet paper, napkins and packaging such as card and cardboard, among other things.
Is bamboo paper the same as bamboo in clothing?
Both build on the cellulose from the plant, but paper keeps the fibres, while the cellulose for viscose is fully dissolved and formed into new threads that can be spun.
Where should bamboo paper be sorted?
Bamboo paper goes in paper recycling like other paper. Clothing made from bamboo viscose goes in textile collection instead. Always check your local rules.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
