Would you buy a one-use towelette that you have to moisten yourself?
I picked up this lil geomio disc at the CO[LA]BORATE: SEEing Green event, and was instantly puzzled. Labelled a 100% bamboo disposable towelette, the product’s ostensibly an alternative to the type of moistened towelettes you get in little packages on the plane.
Except I thought the whole idea of disposable towelettes was that they come pre-moistened, so you don’t have to get out of the seat to clean your hands. This bamboo towelette, in contrast, directs you to “add a little liquid.”
If water’s at hand, isn’t it easier just to wash one’s hands with that water, instead of watering the bamboo towelette and then trying to clean your hands with it?
To be amenable, I did try running the bamboo disc under water. Sure enough, I got it to unfurl — into a thick, humongous towelette.
It seemed a huge waste to throw the whole thing away, so I used it to dust the whole house — then threw it away.
All in all, it seems like a very strange use of bamboo. I get that bamboo’s a renewable product, and that both the product and the packaging — which was very minimal — is totally biodegreable, unlike the usual moistened towelette.
I even checked out the product description on geomio’s site and got this: “Unlike paper towels, these are reusable and unbleached. The non-woven 100% bamboo fiber is really strong, so you can use it again and again.”
Well, then why’s it labelled disposable? The towelette, post-moistening, feels like an extra thick paper towel. I supposed you could use it 3-5 times, but it definitely doesn’t have the permanence of an actual dish cloth….
I guess what I’m saying is: Even from a utilitarian standpoint, this bamboo disc does things slightly worse than everything I can think of it replacing. The bamboo disc isn’t moist, so it can’t replace moistened towelettes. The disc has to be wet to be unfurled, so it can’t exactly replace the instantaneity of paper towels. The disc’s not long lasting, so it can’t replace real dish towels or rags.
I am v. puzzled. Is it possible I’m missing some good, eco purpose for this dry bamboo disc?
May 8th, 2007 at 4:44 am
the last thing i was expecting when i saw the title of this post was a gigantic towel with which one could dust one’s house!
that looks pretty awesome actually - I think I would have trouble throwing it out as well. I wonder if you could put it through a wash :)
May 8th, 2007 at 8:29 am
how fast do bamboo fibres degrade?
basically cellulose, isn´t?
i guess common moist towelettes also are made from cellulose, or?
geomio also makes socks out of bamboo fibres.
so probably not that quick to degrade.
any cotton or silk table cloth/towel would also degrade if thrown out in nature …
perhaps geomio should make the towels 1/3 size and sell to restaurants to have reusable napkins for both table and at their toilets…
May 8th, 2007 at 10:03 am
I agree, the Geomio towelette is an odd item. I think it’s used as a novelty item to get you interested in their other bamboo products. I first tried their towelettes at a 10K race where they were distributed to all the runners. I eventually bought their bamboo socks and hemp sweatpants and I love them.
December 29th, 2007 at 11:42 am
i love all things bamboo and am constantly amazed by the new ways to use the versatile plant. may not be conventional but original is a ‘good thing’ too ~ happy 2008!