Hemp is a versatile plant that can be used for a variety of purposes. The fiber from the stalk can be spun into thread and used to make cloth, paper, rope, and other products. The seeds can be eaten or pressed to make oil, which can be used in food, cosmetics, and other products.
Hemp has a long history of being used all over the world. It was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 10,000 years ago and has been grown and used in a variety of ways ever since. Here we explain you 5 different ways through which Hemp can help you to save planet.
1. Plastic
Hemp is a more environmentally friendly option than other plastics. It is prepared from a renewable resource further could be recycled. However, hemp is not as durable as some plastics, so it may not be the best choice for products that need to last a long time. Hemp can be made into a variety of different plastics, including grocery bags, water bottles, and packaging materials.
2. Paper and Cardboard
Did you know that the Declaration of Independence was written on paper made from hemp? Since ancient times Hemp paper has been prevalent than the traditional paper we know today era. The paper today we acknowledge is crafted out of wood, which is initiating a huge deforestation issue. Deforestation impacts the environment because the trees are really no longer there to absorb carbon dioxide and the machinery used emits a lot of CO2. Deforestation can also cause soil erosion and displace animals and indigenous people, not to mention the loss of biodiversity. It is made from a renewable resource and it doesn’t require the use of toxic chemicals. Hemp paper is also biodegradable, unlike the paper we know now. So, if we all switch to hemp paper, we can help save the environment!
3. Fabric, Textiles & Rope
Hemp has been used throughout history to make clothing, rope, and canvas. Industrial hemp was even used for rope on boats, including Christopher Columbus’, and the first American flag, which can then be discovered in the National Museum of American History.
While some companies, such as Sanuk, continue to use hemp in textiles, cotton and synthetic fibers have chosen to take over through the clothing industry.
Polyester is made from plastic; conventionally grown cotton is one of the most chemically dependent crops in the world. Hemp, on the other hand, is a sustainable crop that can be grown with little to no chemical input.
4. Building Materials
Hempcrete is a sustainable building material made from industrial hemp and lime. It is seven times lighter than normal concrete and just as strong. Hempcrete is also a great insulator but breathable, non-toxic, mold and pest resistant, and lasts for hundreds of years.
5. Fuel
Did you know that hemp can be made into biodiesel by pressing the hemp seed into oil, and the fermented stalk can be made into ethanol and methanol? Hemp biodiesel fuel can be used in any diesel engine without modification. While it is not the best option, it is much better for the environment; unlike fossil fuels, biofuels are biodegradable, non-toxic, and emit less greenhouse
