How much is it to ship materials such as bamboo to uk from asia or south america?

Question

I am studying the sustainable implications of building with bamboo (structurally, so large diameter bamboo such as bambusa hirose). It is renewable, and extremely fast growing. The lightwieight nature also allows for easy and primitive construction techniques. So is shipping it to the UK worthwhile, or does this counterbalance the positive aspects? Help...

Answer 1

I don't think bamboo is exported to the UK as it will happily grow outside in gardens.  My house has had some for about 10 years.  It grows like a weed and will spread everywhere unless it is carefully controlled.

Giant bamboo is grown at Kew Gardens.

Answer 2

Just a thought,

bamboo does grow in UK, is it worth contacting any botanical gardens to see if they do any thinning of their bamboo groves, and could give you a few stems?  If it's so fast growing then they ought to.