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ScienceDaily_2013 06415.txt

#Eco-friendly bamboo garments lure consumers--if the price is rightconsumers who plan to buy eco-friendly bamboo apparel are attracted if the price is right but their next consideration is the product's novelty according to a new study by Baylor University researchers. Bamboo has been championed by many as friendly to the environment although the Federal trade commission issued a 2009 consumer alert noting that some pollutants are released in production from bamboo stalks. When it comes to product consumption in general consumers are influenced by emotion price functionality social image and curiosity said lead researcher Jay Yoo Ph d. an assistant professor of family and consumer sciences in Baylor's College of Arts & Sciences. In the case of bamboo if I have it and you don't there's novelty --and curiosity can make something more appealing Yoo said. The study based on an online questionnaire of 122 participants is published in the International Journal of Fashion Design Technology and Education. The University of Minnesota's department of design housing and apparel was co-researcher. Social considerations--such as whether bamboo reflects social status --and function such as whether bamboo wrinkles easily had the least bearing on whether participants planned to buy it the study showed. Meanwhile when it comes to buying green consumers who believe that one individual can make even a small difference in impacting the environment were more likely to buy bamboo. From an environmental standpoint bamboo is touted as a product for the same reasons it is vilified by anyone who has tried to eradicate it from a yard: It is renewable shooting to maturity in a mere four years boasting a vast root system and clinging tenaciously even to steep hills Yoo said. While the fashion industry seeks to earn profits it is increasingly trying to do so in ways that do not harm the environment such as using organic or recyclable materials he said. From the industry's standpoint bamboo is desirable because it dyes well feels silkier than cotton and is less expensive than silk. Producers of bamboo textiles maintain their products are processed antimicrobial without chemicals non-pollutant biodegradable and recyclable. Yoo noted that the majority--nearly 84 percent--of those participating in the study were female college students with an average age of 21. He said further research of a wider sample should be done. Story Source: The above story is provided based on materials by Baylor University. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length h

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