Background+information

== =__Background Information of Materials__=

__Bamboo__ Bamboo has been an important plant to the development of human society since it's discovery. With over 1200 different species of Bamboo, it's abundance in some parts of the world have proven invaluable. ([|HardwoodInstaller.com, 2010] ) Besides it's abundance, it is the fastest growing wood plant known to man. It can grow a whole meter in just one day. You can literally watch it grow. Because of this, it's easy to harvest, replant, and continue to use as necessary, making it not only abundant, but renewable. Also, because it grows so fast, it's one of the best carbon dioxide reducers and oxygen producers, so harvesting it and letting it grow up again benefits us even more. Bamboo can be harvested efficiently every 3-5 years as opposed to the 10-20 years traditional softwoods take to regrow. It can be used for all the same purposes such ply wood, paper pulp, fuel briquettes, and rebar for concrete construction. ([|HardwoodInstaller.com, 2010] )

Bamboo is traditionally known for it's use in housing. Even today, over 1 billion people still live in homes partially or completely constructed with bamboo. The reason for this is it's strength and durability. It's extremely strong, it's tensile strength per square inch 28,000. In comparison, steel only weighs in at 23,000. It's durability helps keep homes standing during even the harshest of storms and earthquakes. After Hiroshima's destruction, this plant was the first to regrow even under harsh radioactive conditions.([|HardwoodInstaller.com, 2010] )

The problem is that Bamboo only grows in tropical environments, we could never have it naturally in Canada as an alternative to our softwood. However, in tropical, less developed environments, this plant is a key resource to their societies' advancement. In this sustainability assessment, we will outline how we think bamboo can be used even more efficiently, and for even more purposes in society using excess bamboo traditionally wasted when cutting logs to size for home building.

__Hemp__ ([|Hemp-Sisters.com, 2010] )

Hemp (also known as the male marijuana plant) is the oldest cultivated fiber plant known to man. It's roots can be traced back to 8000BC. The reason is simple: It produces the strongest fibers of all plants. It is warmer, more absorbent and lasts longer than it's counterparts (mainly cotton).

Because of the density in which the hemp plant is grown per square meter, it does not allow any light to reach the ground. This behaviour prevents weeds from growing naturally, instead of using dangerous herbicides. Also, it's strong "immune system" doesn't attract any insect enemies, eliminating the need for pesticides as well. These factors combined mean that it's growth and harvest are completely sustainable, and the soil used to grow the plant is kept safe, making the process renewable.

Hemp is used in a variety of elements in societies today. Popular Mechanics once described it as being an ingredient in "dynamite to Cellophane". Hemp pulp can be used to make paper. In fact, it takes 75% less trees, by area, to make the same amount of paper using Hemp.

Because of it's controversial legal standing, Hemp still has several barriers of entry here in North America. However, elsewhere in the world it grows naturally in various environments, and it used regularly for the aforemetioned uses.

__Conclusion__

Bamboo and Hemp are both environmentally friendly plants found in nature. Bamboo's durability will make it a great sole for our product, while Hemp's strength and resistance to the elements can't be ignored when considering the sides and top of the product.