Bamboosa Giveaway

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to all that entered!
I know we all have been in situations where we have done something good and somehow have gotten punished for it. Well, that's kind of what happened to terrific company called Bamboosa. If you have been with me a while, you might remember my FTC VS. Bamboo article. If you weren't a reader, please check it out- it's worth the read. But, to sum it up, the FTC charged 4 companies with "mislabeling" their bamboo products. 3 of the 4 companies didn't fight the charge, but they still didn't agree they were mislabeling anything. Bamboosa stood up for themselves and tried to fight the FTC for a while. But being a small American company, they could no longer afford the battle. This is a blog comment left by Mo, the owner, this week:
"Hi, this Mo from Bamboosa. I'd like to make a comment on this FTC thing if I may.

First, I want to say that the only reason that Bamboosa has decided to sign the consent order, after nearly a year of dealing with this, is that we feel we cannot fight the FTC. We are a small company with limited resources and we need to direct those resources where they will do the most good for our employees and our customers.

Bamboosa stands by our products as one of the best choices you can make for textiles or apparel. Our products, when taken as a whole, have a reduced environmental footprint when compared to most textile or apparel choices.

The FTC is incorrect in their assumption regarding the environmental impact of the fiber production and about any hazards to the workers. The FTC is looking at data from the standard production methods for rayon, not the production methods developed in the last several years for turning bamboo into a fiber.

They are also incorrect when they say that all fiber classified as rayon or viscose has the same attributes regardless of the cellulose source. Our tests have proven that there are significant differences between viscose from bamboo and viscose from a tree.

Regarding antimicrobial properties, the tests that we provided them with that show bamboo fabric inhibits the growth of bacteria may not have satisfied their requirements, but anyone who has ever worn a bamboo shirt or socks and sweated in them knows that the resistance to odor is there.

I would also like to say that any implication by the FTC that Bamboosa has engaged in any sort of 'greenwashing' is absolutely without merit. Our suppliers that sell us the fiber call it 'bamboo fiber'. Our yarn spinner that sell us yarn says it is 'bamboo yarn'. Bamboosa simply used the same terminology as we were getting from our suppliers. It is also worth noting that Bamboosa changed all of our labeling to read 'viscose from bamboo' prior to any FTC action. We made that change as soon as we were aware of the need for it.

Lastly, Bamboosa is a little company in a little town in SC. We started this company to try to bring some textile jobs back to Andrews. We are extremely proud of the products that we make and will put the environmental footprint of our products up against any apparel products on the market. While our fiber may come from China, the rest of our manufacturing, from yarn spinning to knitting, dyeing, sewing, and printing is done within a very small radius in SC.

The real story here should be why the FTC is trying to squash a small little company that is creating American jobs and who produces a product that, in reality, lives up to every claim that is made about it. Thanks, Mo"

Sorry for including all of that, but I think it's important information and everyone should see both sides of a story. Especially when someone's integrity is on the line. But here's more about the amazing company... Bamboosa purchases their bamboo fiber from certified organic bamboo farmers in China. The fiber is then shipped to Andrews, SC to complete the manufacturing process which includes: spinning, knitting, dyeing and sewing. Yes, they do it all right here in the US! Think about how many job openings there would be if more companies did this instead of outsourcing to China? Bamboosa then creates quality viscose from bamboo fiber baby products, women's and men's products, socks, accessories, soaps, gift sets and more- at totally affordable prices. I know their socks are on my Christmas wish list!!

Bamboosa sent Ella a BambooBaby Cable Knit Blanket and she has loved cuddling up with her soft "flunky." When I think of cable knit, I think of scratchy old blankets at my grandmother's house. This is nothing like that at all! The knit is super soft and doesn't feel like a thick weave when you rub your hands against it. The blanket is breathable but will still keep your little one cozy in colder weather. Ella likes to keep her blanket in our living room so we can cuddle together. The BambooBaby Knit is a large size- 38X38, so it's great for preschoolers or even laying on the floor for your little one to play on. It is also very stretchy and I can cuddle up under it if I'm sitting up. The BambooBaby Knit comes in 6 great colors and even a purely natural with no dyes.

The Giveaway: Bamboosa would like to give 1 lucky winner a BambooBaby Knit Blanket in their choice of color
Rules: You have until 11:59 p.m. EST November 12, 2009 to enter. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced after they respond to the winning email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email, or a new winner will be chosen. You must leave your email address! This contest is open to the US and Canada

How to Enter: Visit Bamboosa and tell me something else you like, plus what color blanket you would choose if you won. Click on "Comments" to leave your post. Make sure to leave your email address!! I cannot contact the winner without it!

EXTRA entries: You must complete the "How To Enter" before making any extra entries. Make sure you leave a comment for each extra entry and tell me which one.

2. Become a fan of Mkokopelli on FB, Mkokopelli on Twitter, or Follow my blog (1 entry total)
3. Subscribe to my blog by email (on the right sidebar) You must verify and be active at the time of the giveaway- those who are unverified will become disqualified4. Blog, Tweet or send a message on FB and leave a link here (3 extra entries total)

5. Enter another giveaway I have going on and tell me which one or leave a comment on a non-giveaway post (1 extra entry only)
6. Become a fan of Bamboosa on Facebook or follow them on Twitter (2 entries if you do both)
7. Tell me something you learned on Bamboosa or what you think about the FTC claims
8. Join the Million Baby Crawl to stop toxic chemicals in our household products and support my crawler- for more info, click here (2 entries)

*New disclaimer: I was sent a BambooBaby Knit Blanket to review for free. This is NO way changes my opinion about the product or company. These are my thoughts, opinions and results.