Many that think of hemp clothing think of baggy, grunge, or reggae. But, did you know that until the 1920s about 80% of clothing was hemp?
Hemp has the opportunity to actually be anything you want it to be, and even better than that, hemp holds so many sustainable benefits, especially in comparison to the cotton or polyester we are frequently wearing. Here are 10 reasons why hemp is the most sustainable fibre.
1.Low Water
Hemp is a great drought resistant crop, which means that it can live in a variety of soil and climate types. It takes about 10,000 litres of water to create 1 kg of cotton, which is simply too much. Yet, hemp requires only half the water it takes to grow the equivalent amount of cotton fibre.
2. High Yield
Hemp takes 3-4 months for full harvest, which means that hemp can be harvested around four times a year. Annually, hemp is one of, if not the highest yielding crops to harvest. Farmers can begin to replant as soon as the hemp is harvested, which also means that farmers are making a living all year round!
3. Less Land
Hemp grows up to 4.5 metres tall and due to the natural density mentioned above, hemp needs much less land to produce the same amount of fibre as other plants. Per acre hemp produces around 250% more fibre than cotton and almost 600% more fibre than linen!
4.Soil Health
Hemp has large roots that go deep into the soil and are easily able to pick up water and nutrients. These roots also prevent erosion and also aerate the soil, which means that it is still usable for other crops. The best part? Hemp also returns 60-70% of the nutrients it takes back into the soil!
5. Organic
Hemp requires no herbicides or pesticides. Hemp grows super densely, with thick stems that prevents other plants from growing and deters pests.
6. Traps CO2
Hemp carbon captures during photosynthesis. Hemp can trap 1.63 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of hemp harvested! This is four times that of most trees.
7. Multipurpose
Humans can use every part of the hemp plant! We use it for fabrics, but the bast fibres can be used to make great paper.The core of the stalk, that is woody, is used to make ‘hempcrete,’ a carbon-friendly building material, which is just as strong as concrete. The seeds are a great source of protein and omega fatty acids, as well as nine amino acids that we need to consume daily. Hemp can be used for virtually anything!
8. No Harmful Chemicals
When we think about sustainability, we also need to think about ethics and treatment of workers. Harmful chemicals and pollutants are not required to make hemp, which are very common for many other types of textile manufacturing. This is why hemp is the perfect material for our face masks!
9. Fairtrade
Hemp is easily made fairtrade, here we work directly with the farmers, which allows them to manage their own farms and make the amount of money they deserve.
10. Durable
Hemp has some of the longest and strongest natural fibers in the world! Through wear and tear, the fabric is going to maintain breathability and softness even with every wash. Hemp also absorbs UV light, so doesn’t get sun damage that you would find in other fabrics. This means, it will last longer in your closet, which saves money for you and waste from the planet.
These are just some of the reasons we chose to make our bags and clothing from hemp! Our hemp is ethically sourced from himalayan villages in Nepal and is spun using traditional techniques. If you liked this post, we know you will love our range of sustainable bags and clothing. Check them out!
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