It seems that water conservation has been a global topic lately, especially since harsh droughts in Brazil and California have caused the government to intercede and implement restrictions.  In this first part of my study on water, I’ll be addressing a water source that stems from bamboo plants, and how it may be a sustainable way forward.

I actually just learned this, but bamboo contains drinkable water within the grass that’s easy to access. Bamboo Beverages is a new business that is hoping to bring this water to Canada and show that there is a market for this alternative water source. The company has just embarked on a Kickstarter campaign and has 18 days left to reach a $50k target.

While I think this idea definitely has some application in countries with limited access to water, I have my reservations about the sustainable aspects of it. First, there is not enough bamboo currently in Vancouver, so the company is importing from the Philippines. I’m not an expert on emissions, but I know shipping costs are high and there is definitely an associated environmental costs there. Also, the product is still bottled water, which has its own issues.

Most importantly, I don’t see how this product is cradle to cradle. It would seem to me that there is lots of waste of bamboo, and if there are no partnerships involved then it is not sustainable cutting down all the bamboo, regardless of how fast it grows again. In this case, the website is absolutely no help, and although I think the idea is good, it’s hard for me to support the product without knowing where the waste goes.

With that said, I believe a partnership with some of the company’s I’ve mentioned earlier could have great potential. I don’t think it will solve all the issues this company faces, but it is certainly a way to be more sustainable in the long-run.