Hemp has a very long history of being used as a fibre. It has been cultivated for thousands of years and used on almost every continent for textiles (clothing, decorating, ropes). Hemp also has many uses to support mankind and heal our biodiversity but it’s very misunderstood. Hemp is a variety of Cannabis sativa L, known for its tall, stalky growth and high levels of the cannabinoid known as Cannabidiol (CBD).
Unlike its close relative marijuana, hemp plants do not contain significant levels of the intoxicating compound known as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp has the unfortunate stigma of being associated with a recreational drug that has almost nothing to do with hemp.
You can’t get high off of hemp.
Hemp is Carbon Negative. In other words, more carbon is taken out of the atmosphere by growing the plant than is emitted as a result of its production and use. Therefore, using more of it is good for the planet.
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Today, hemp is cultivated for use in many industries. It can make varieties of products like bags, clothing, shoes, food, paper, bioplastics, biofuel, rope, animal bedding, insulation, seeds for oil and eating and CBD production. Despite all these benefits, hemp cultivation is illegal in some parts of the world because it is related to marijuana.
In the fashion industry, the hemp material is favoured for its sustainable qualities because;
100% naturally biodegradable. It’s fiber has four times the strength of cotton and the material will last you for years and biodegrade in months.
Hemp is Antimicrobial. Hemp clothing is naturally antimicrobial, it’s able to stay smelling good for longer while also being able to resist any mould that comes along.
Hemp needs half as much water as cotton to grow. Another advantage with hemp is that it doesn’t consume nearly as much water as cotton.
Hemp plants grow quicker. It grows very rapidly and has been known to grow twice or more the speed compared to cotton. That means it’s possible to harvest two or more times the amount of fiber just based on the plant’s rate of growth.
Hemp absorbs toxic materials. Hemp reduces and remove toxic materials in our soil, also effective at eliminating toxins from the surrounding environment.
The advantages to using Hemp are many. It’s a natural fibre, better than synthetic clothing. It can be produced sustainably at mass scale, without any harmful chemicals or pesticides.
Ecoafriq eshop favours hemp for its qualities. The material is an excellent fabric for clothing, dyes easily and retains the colour well and has very low impact on the environment.
Supporting hemp means supporting sustainability, reducing the landfill impact, power and water consumption. In choosing hemp you’re saying NO to supporting the negative environmental impact that the fashion industry is causing, and in turn reduce your own environmental foot print.
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