【Objective】With the increasing environmental awareness driven by the severe pollution caused by plastic products, this study aims to understand the current research status and advantages of “replacing plastic with bamboo”. It also seeks to clarify the challenges faced in the efficient cultivation of bamboo resources, guide research institutions and enterprises to focus on key technical issues, increase research investment, promote innovation in bamboo cultivation technologies, improve the utilization efficiency of bamboo resources, and enhance the competitiveness of the bamboo industry.【Method】Relevant literatures on “Bamboo as a substitute for plastic” and “Bamboo resources” from the past 15 years (2010-2024) were retrieved from the CNKI and Web of Science Core Collection databases. VOSviewer was used to conduct a visual analysis of the types of bamboo species and research topics currently studied. In addition, a combination of questionnaire surveys and on-site enterprise investigations was employed to identify current issues and challenges in the efficient cultivation and utilization of bamboo in major bamboo-producing areas, based on China’s bamboo resources and industrial advantages.【Result】Over the past 15 years, research on “Bamboo as a substitute for plastic” and “Bamboo resources” has shown a booming trend, with a significant increase in the number of published papers. Research hotspots mainly focus on the biological characteristics of bamboo, as well as the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of bamboo materials. This article also summarized the advantages of using bamboo as a plastic substitute and highlighted the existing problems in the efficient cultivation of bamboo resources. Suggestions for the future development direction of bamboo resource cultivation were also proposed.【Conclusion】In the future, efforts should be made to build bamboo germplasm resource repositories and cultivate high-value bamboo species for “Bamboo as a substitute for plastic”. Focus should be placed on transforming low-yield and low-efficiency bamboo forests, and establishing high-standard bamboo forest demonstration areas based on local conditions. Scientific planning and improvement of infrastructure—such as roads, water storage, and irrigation systems—in bamboo forests are essential. Additionally, it is necessary to innovate high-quality raw material supply chains and adopt advanced management models for bamboo forests. These initiatives will play an important role in promoting ecological civilization, driving social and economic development, implementing the rural revitalization strategy, and achieving the goals of “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality”.