We’ve all heard about the amazing qualities of bamboo; it grows quickly, and when used as a material to design clothing, is extremely flattering and soft. It’s also as strong as steel and durable enough to be used for housing and floors all around the world.

bamboo charcoal - who knew?

One use that surprised and impressed me was introduced to me by a company called Ever Bamboo, who supply products made out of bamboo charcoal. Produced from the rapidly growing Moso Bamboo, bamboo charcoal has porous properties which make it a great base material for deodorizers and dehumidifiers.

Ever Bamboo’s list of products made from the substance include fridge & freezer deodorizer, car deodorizer, face & body soap and bamboo vinegar.

I was curious to learn more about the creative genius behind Ever Bamboo and recently interviewed K.B. Lee, the President of the company. Here’s how it went:

EcoDiva: Why did you choose the name Ever Bamboo for your product line?

KB: Because the product is sustainable (made from the rapidly growing moso bamboo), is reusable (lasts over one year with monthly exposure to sunlight), and is recyclable with soil at the end of its lifespan.

EcoDiva: Who was your product created for?

KB: For moms, babies, dads, athletes, people who like natural products.  There are specific products for specific people such as bamboo charcoal seat pad for wheelchair user.

EcoDiva: In this new market of green and eco-friendly products, what makes Ever Bamboo stand out from the crowd?

KB: Bamboo charcoal deodorizers from Ever Bamboo are natural, effective, sustainable, reusable, and recyclable, with minimal packaging.

EcoDiva: With all of the confusion regarding what is TRULY organic, what criteria do you have in place for the organic and natural products you create?

KB: Our product is 100% natural made from Moso Bamboo.  We strive to use eco-friendly packaging as possible.  Part of our packaging is not eco-friendly at this moment but we have found the eco-friendly biodegradable replacement and would change to that material in 2010.

EcoDiva: What type of products can we look forward to in future issues?

KB: Bamboo charcoal soap will be launched in August.  The soap (made in Canada) is made of 100% organic ingredients which is pregnant mom and baby friendly.  Parts of the ingredients are bamboo charcoal powder and bamboo vinegar.  Bamboo charcoal powder absorbs and draws out toxic from skin. Bamboo vinegar is the vapors collected during the burning process, it is a natural disinfectant which helps to smooth out the skin.

EcoDiva: So many people are changing their lives to be more earth friendly. Tell me about your personal journey to choosing green.

KB:  I used to live eco-friendly as long as it was convenient. After watching the Inconvenient Truth, I became more conscious of my impact on the environment and now try my best to be as earth friendly as possible even when it is inconvenient to do so, such as recycle batteries and computer equipment.  It takes extra effort to look for the right drop-off locations for those things but it’s totally worth it.

EcoDiva: When did you start getting involved in the environment?

KB: When I was 16 when I got my driver’s license and my mom got me to recycle the newspaper and pop cans.

EcoDiva: What are your some of your “green” personal and business practices?

KB:  We reuse all type of boxes for shipment including cereal boxes, utilizing egg carton as filler in packing orders, paperless as much as possible.
On a personal level, I try to borrow instead of own.

EcoDiva: How important do you think these kinds of changes are for you, personally?

KB: I’m very conscious of my environmental footprint now; trying to use resources as effectively as I can with resources on both personal and business levels.

EcoDiva: What organic products do you use and recommend?

KB: Klean Kanteen & Sigg (yes, I do use both - sport cap on the Sigg is the best), Seventh Generation, Rume Bags, Shoo-Foo bamboo towels and Nutrilite Double X Vitamins.

EcoDiva: What books, movies, or CDs have been most helpful or inspiring to you?

KB: An Inconvenient Truth

EcoDiva: What’s your current obsession?

KB: Logo, packaging, graphic, creative, sustainable design, The Calgary Flames (it’s playoff time) and green cars (liking the Toyota IQ and Lotus Exige)

EcoDiva: Who inspires you?

KB: Lance Armstrong

EcoDiva: How do you get things done?

KB:  Plan ahead

EcoDiva: What would you like to revolutionize?

KB: Eco and affordable replacement to Styrofoam boxes for restaurants

EcoDiva: What’s the biggest green change you’d like to make in your life—even if it’s impossible right now?

KB: Be a vegetarian or as less meat as possible (somewhat impossible because my wife won’t let me).

EcoDiva: What’s your favorite eco-friendly tip our readers should know about?

KB: Drive a gas sipper and easy on the gas when you see a red light ahead of you.

EcoDiva: What music is in your iPod or CD player right now?

KB: Financial sense news hour (no music, sorry!)

EcoDiva: What’s the best green advice you ever received—and who gave it to you?

KB: This is a hard one.  One that comes to mind is “Buy a filter, or BE a filter.” (Referring to water filter) by Nancy Dornan.

For more on Ethical Luxury, visit theEcoDiva at TheEcoDiva.blogspot.com.