Hemp was already being cultivated into rope, clothing and paper thousands of years ago. It is one of the most strong and durable fibers. Let's take a look at how this magical plant is beneficial for the environment and how garments made out of this fiber benefits you.
1. Sustainable farming
Hemp only needs little water to grow. The plant grows deep roots, which can tap into the water of deeper soil layers as well. The amount of water being used for growing crops is huge, while water is becoming more scarce, especially in certain areas. As a reference, hemp only uses 50% of water compared to growing cotton.
This plant can grow in almost any kind of soil, it even gives nutrients back and cleanses contaminated soil! Because it doesn't deplete the soil it grows on but enriches it, hemp can be regrown on the same land for several years. All this makes hemp perfect for the use of crop rotation.
The production of hemp is good for the environment because of the lower acreage needed to produce the same amount of fiber, in comparison to many other plants. For example, cotton needs twice as much of land to create the same amount of fiber.
In today's world, we need to think about our carbon footprint. Hemp has a high carbon dioxide absorbency and produces a big amount of oxygen, which is a lot more than other crops for making fiber.
Because hemp is a weed, no chemical pesticides are required for it to grow well, it is natural pest-resistant by itself. For the same reason, this plant has a very fast growing cycle and also a very high yield.
2. Benefits of wearing hemp clothing
Garments made out of this fiber are very strong and durable. The more you wear your clothing, the softer it gets, while never losing its shape. It also has anti-microbial properties which makes them stay fresh longer and reduces the amount of wash cycles to keep it clean.
Hemp contains UV-resistant qualities, and protects your skin against the harmful UV-rays of the sun. The fabric is very breathable and has a natural resistance to water, and therefor also to mold. Hemp is also a hypoallergenic fiber and perfect for those who have a sensitive skin.
Note on organic vs. conventional hemp
Although hemp is organic by its own, there still is a difference between sustainable and conventional production. Organically certified hemp actually gets inspected to check that the process is as ecological as possible through a list of standards. I only work with organic hemp.
3. Multi-purpose plant
Nothing from this plant needs to get wasted in the process and everything can be completely biodegradable. So many things can be made out of different parts of this crop. I suggest you research the specifics of those if you are intrigued to know more. Here are a few examples of what other things can be made from hemp.
Textile, skincare products, paper, rope, ink, food, bio-fuel, batteries, paint, furniture, and even bioplastics.