Changes

Viscose made from bamboo products are non-biodegradable because they can not beak down within a reasonably short time after disposal into a landfill.[10]

==Optimize sustainability benefits==

• Know the difference between linen made from bamboo and viscose made from bamboo. Viscose made from bamboo employs a chemically intensive process and has high environmental and social impacts due to emissions to air and water during processing.<br/>

• Encourage suppliers to use raw materials sourced from Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) and

• Investigate viscose processing methods that use enzymes instead of chemicals.<br/>

• New forms of viscose-type materials are emerging, and can be made through various types of processes including lyocell. Lyocell fibre production is similar to that of generic viscose in that bamboo material is dissolved through an intensive chemical process into a pulp, which is then extruded to form fibres. However, for lyocell, the solvent used to transform the pulp into fibre is amine oxide (NMMO=N-Methyl-Morpholine-N-Oxide), which is considered non-toxic. The lyocell fibre manufacturing process also operates as a closed loop system, in which 99% of the solvent is recovered, filtered and reused. Any remaining emissions are broken down harmlessly in biological wastewater treatment plants.[11]

==Availability==

Few suppliers are currently offering viscose made from bamboo from PEFC and FSC certified plantations. Expressing interest in PEFC and FSC certification can influence the supplier’s raw material sourcing strategy and lead to greater availability of responsibly sourced feedstock for viscose made from bamboo fabric.