Bamboo Charcoal Water Filter Sticks

Alternative to plastic water bottles and water filters.

A plastic-free solution for better tasting tap water using sustainable bamboo never activated with chemicals.

How does bamboo charcoal remove impurities from tap water?

Bamboo charcoal's porous surface area adsorbs tap water and airborne impurities. If carbonized at high heat, tests indicate that bamboo charcoal removes chlorine, chloride, phosphorus, ammonia, toluene (alcohol), nitrogen, chloramine (ammonia and chlorine compound added to water to kill pathogens), and even toxins like pesticides that can seep into tap water. Bamboo charcoal adsorbs solids and gases, but not pathogens, so we don't recommend relying on bamboo charcoal to filter creek water while hiking.

Compared to wooden charcoal, bamboo charcoal has high adsorptive power and contains many mineral components (especially magnesium, potassium, calcium, and silicic acid). The surface area of bamboo charcoal is 300 square meters per gram and the adsorption power is ten times that of wooden charcoal.

A test conducted by the Division of Forest Management (Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) in 2004, found that the pH value of bamboo charcoal-purified water changes from acidic to alkaline when bamboo is carbonized at high heat. The study found that the surface area for volatile organic compound (VOC) adsorption is maximized at 800 degrees Celsius, which is the heat that we use for carbonizing Miyabi Bamboo Charcoal. In addition, the study stated that the "best" carbonizing temperature for reducing residual chlorine in tap water was 800 degrees Celsius.

Does bamboo charcoal add anything to tap water?

Yes. You're making your own mineral water! Bamboo charcoal leaches minerals like magnesium, silicone, silicic acid* and calcium into your tap water as it adsorbs impurities. Filter systems like reverse osmosis remove everything from water - even the good minerals. If you have a home filtration system, make sure to add bamboo charcoal to your drinking water so you don't miss these essential minerals. You might see trace amounts of bamboo charcoal in your tap water - this residue is packed with nutrients, so enjoy! 

*Silicic acid, which is essential for cultivating agricultural crops and soil reinforcement, is contained in the epidermis of bamboo. This means that bamboo charcoal can be used as a soil conditioner and organic fertilizer additive.

Materials

Miyabi Bamboo Charcoal is made from bamboo that is already a waste product. Bamboo must be regularly culled in the Japanese countryside to preserve indigenous forests.

Packaging

Cardboard envelope.

Use Instructions

How long does bamboo charcoal last?

Follow this formula: 3 pieces per liter of water for 4 weeks. 

All tap water is different. Some impurities like chloramine have a stronger taste than solids or even pesticides. When the chloramine taste comes back, you know it's time to change your bamboo charcoal. But what about other impurities? That's why we recommend replacing your bamboo charcoal every 4 weeks to ensure maximum adsorption. 

End of Life Instructions

COMPOST: Add bamboo charcoal to your compost. The charcoal will reduce odor and support microbial retention. It will easily break down in your compost pile. 

GARDENING: Smash Miyabi Bamboo Charcoal and mix it into soil, where it will support microorganisms, enhance water and oxygen retention in soil, and make your plants healthy and happy!

Where It Comes From

Miyabi Charcoal, based in Ojai, California, sources their bamboo from the Japanese countryside of Yamanashi and Kochi Prefectures and processed into charcoal by artisans using their ancestors' traditional methods.