Cotton substitute
12-12-2010, 10:58 AM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NC - USA
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Has anyone learned whether the world markets have found a substitute for Cotton! This southern gal just briefly heard something so if I relate it, do not take if for fact. BUT, agricultural world recognizes that cotton depletes the soil and has to be replanted each year. That means more treatments to soil and more labor to replant and cultivate. The bamboo plant is a staple plant in that it can be cut and never have to be replanted and needs little soil treatment. The fibers from the bamboo plant are spun as we do our cotton. NOW I am stretching to imagine this but I think it would be a wonderful 'green' route. Any feed?
Blessings,
Ruth
Blessings,
Ruth
12-12-2010, 12:35 PM
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
There is no real substitute for cotton. Cotton is nearly ready to use straight off the plant. You have to remove the seeds and comb it but that's about all you have to do to make it ready to spin into yarns. All the other plants, bamboo, soy, flax and hemp have to be processed into useable fibers first. They use chemicals to do the processing.
12-12-2010, 01:15 PM
#9
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
Nice thought but from what I've read, the process of making cloth from bamboo would deplete more resources then replanting of the cotton. But everyone would rush to buy bamboo fabric just because it is labeled 'green'. Then the cotton industry would die back. When the bamboo hype becomes reality of what is being lost, then the cotton growers will be almost non existent. I do not support most 'green' products or methods until it's proven to save more then it looses.
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