Over the years the fashion industry has become more interested in sustainable textiles, resulting in many eco-friendly alternatives. Designers and consumers are now more aware of the environmental impact of common fabrics such as polyester. As a result, they are turning to more sustainable alternatives such as organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp fabric.
What is hemp?
Hemp belongs to the same species as Cannabis Sativa but has little/no THC. Many individuals think that Hemp has the same psychoactive powers as marijuana; however, this is false. Although it’s closely related to cannabis, hemp is a crop that doesn’t come with the psychoactive effect. This means that an individual cannot get high from hemp because it only contains a tiny amount of the psychoactive component of cannabis. Hemp’s association with cannabis has led to a bad reputation for a long time now, but here at Glass Planet, we wanted to discuss the benefits of Hemp and explain what it truly is.
Hemp is a natural plant fiber from the stems of the Cannabis plant. In terms of sustainability, hemp is the least harmful to the environment. The hemp crop requires little water to grow and replenishes soil nutrients to help improve soil health. It is also biodegradable and is one of the stronger textile fabrics. Hemp fabric offers insulating, anti-radiation, and anti-bacterial properties. This fabric is very useful, versatile, and durable. The versatility of hemp fiber makes it an ideal material for a variety of uses, from paper and canvas to clothing and ropes. Nowadays, more sustainable brands are using this material to make clothes. You can find everything ranging from dresses to underwear, all made from hemp fabric.
How is it produced?
Hemp fabric is made from the long strands of fiber that make up the stalk of the plant. These fibers are separated from the bark through a process called “retting.” These fibers are then spun together to produce a continuous thread that can be woven into a fabric.
What makes it sustainable?
As a crop, hemp requires nearly 50% less water to survive per season than cotton. It can also grow on different soils to produce high yields. As a textile, hemp is versatile, long-lasting, and biodegradable. Additionally, it’s UV-resistant, breathable, and gets softer with age, making it ideal for all seasons. The fabric has various natural advantages such as keeping you warm in winter, cool in summer, and can protect you from UV rays. Hemp is a densely growing plant that eliminates any competing plants. This means harsh chemical herbicides aren’t necessary to grow the crop. Hemp also naturally reduces pests, so no pesticides are usually needed. Also, it returns 60-70% of the nutrients it takes from the soil. Not only is hemp gentle on the earth, but it also requires very little water, especially when compared to cotton. Cotton requires more than four times as much water as hemp. Hemp also requires a relatively small amount of land to cultivate. According to the Guide to Sustainable Textiles, this means it can produce up to double the fiber yield per hectare as cotton. Every single part of the plant can be used by humans, including the seeds, which are considered a superfood. Hemp can be made into hemp oil that is used as lamp light oil and biodiesel, as well.
Is it always organic?
Hemp is a sustainable material, but this does not mean it was harvested in a sustainable manner. However, it’s important to be aware that hemp does not always mean organic, many farmers still use environmentally damaging fertilizer. When buying hemp, make sure it’s organic and research the brand you’re considering buying from. Although hemp is a sustainable crop to grow, we still need to be sure that the process is used to turn the plant into a fabric is environmentally friendly.
Pros:
Durable
Biodegradable
Blocks UV Rays
Hypoallergenic
Less water
Zero Waste
No chemicals
Improves soil health
Carbon Positive
Uses less land
Cons:
Oder
Needs to be bleached to be white
Often combined with synthetic fibers
Limited supply
Stigma
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