Pandas eat only one type of bamboo which dies off every 4-5 years when it flowers.

Bamboo is used extensively in China. One of the biggest uses is as scaffolding. It is light, flexible and very strong. I have seen many building covered with bamboo scaffolding. It also flexes better when the winds are strong.

I have also seen it used to make large animal baskets for transporting pigs and chickens to market.

Some papermills use it for pulping but from the papermills I have seen and chemicals used I would hardly call it green.

The shoots are edible, yum yum.

And yes I have worn bamboo. The breastplate of my kendo armour is made of 64 interlocked slats of bamboo cover is a laquered leather.