Carbon Footprint of Bamboo

Bamboo is a fast-growing plant fiber used in apparel and footwear for fabrics, yarns, and textile blends, valued for its renewability and soft texture. The carbon footprint of bamboo averages 27.5 kg CO₂e per kg, though this varies significantly depending on whether it's processed mechanically as bamboo linen or chemically as bamboo viscose (rayon).

What’s are the CO2e emissions of Bamboo

What’s are the CO2e emissions of Bamboo?

The carbon footprint of bamboo averages 27.5 kg CO2e per kg, with a median of 27.3 kg CO2e per kg, primarily driven by processing, transportation, and manufacturing into finished products. CO2 emissions from bamboo and associated greenhouse gas emissions are significantly influenced by energy-intensive conversion processes rather than raw material cultivation.
  • Average footprint per kg: 27.5 kgCO2e
  • Median footprint per kg: 27.3 kgCO2e

Emissions by Process Step in Bamboo Production

The footprint of Bamboo includes emissions from multiple processing stages. The following process steps were identified as carbon hotspots for Bamboo production:
  • Textile Formation: 35.4%
  • Yarn Formation: 16.0%
  • Raw Materials: 13.6%
Emissions by Process Step in Bamboo Production

Bamboo Water Consumption

Bamboo water consumption averages 18.7 m3 per kg, reflecting its water footprint Bamboo per kg during cultivation and processing, making water usage Bamboo relatively moderate compared to many conventional materials.
  • Average water use per kg: 18.7 m3
  • Median water use per kg: 19.2 m3

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References

Data sourced from Carbonfact’s proprietary database, powered by over 50 million LCAs run on textile, fashion, and footwear products. The methodology is aligned with the EU Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and adapted for product category specificity.

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