10 Thing We Should Be Making out of Hemp
America has always had a complicated relationship with hemp. From the early settlers in the 1600s to early 1900s, Americans were encouraged to grow hemp to make rope, sails, and clothing. It was great. We used hemp’s excellent strength and versatility for many necessary American textiles, creating some of the freedom needed to become independent. But by 1937, all these plants were made illegal along with any form of smokable cannabis. However, now that the “Reefer Madness” that took hold of the country for nearly a hundred years has faded, the industry is suddenly remembering that hemp is awesome for making stuff besides joints.
Actually, there are tons of things that are better made with hemp than when made from conventional production materials. We all know that it makes excellent rope and canvas, but what about everything else? Let’s take a closer look at all the things we should be making with hemp.
1) Paper Everything
When paper is made from trees, it’s made from the cellulose in wood. But only 30% of a tree is cellulose, and the other 70% is removed when paper is made. This makes wood not an ideal material for paper production, it’s just the most bountiful and renewable resource we have that can be made into paper. Except that hemp makes great paper. Indeed, it is fast-growing and, until 1883, over 70% of all paper in the world was made from it.
2) Reusable Grocery Bags
Hemp is stronger than cotton when woven into a fabric. That’s why it makes such high-quality ropes and canvas. One of the most common household items today is the humble reusable grocery bag. Made from cotton, nylon, elastic, and many other materials; the most renewable of grocery bags are hemp totes. Not only is it sturdy enough to hold up a sack of cans, but hemp is also a great insulator.
3) Cosmetics
The cannabis plant has several qualities that are beneficial to the skin. It’s already been established that hemp seed oil is moisturizing and includes Vitamins A, C, and E. It’s rich in amino acids and is an antioxidant. In fact, its seed oil is extremely moisturizing and has a reputation for not causing acne, unlike other moisturizers.
This makes hemp a great resource for cosmetics. The seed oil is a clarifying and moisturizing base for other components. It can be used for soaps, creams, and facial masks with equal product quality.
4) Natural-Fiber Clothing
Hemp also makes sturdy and comfortable clothing. It is naturally breathable and bio-degrades clean. At the same time, it’s more durable than cotton which means it will last you through many years and washes without being treated gently. Further, the clothing is great for anyone who is very active and wants clothing they don’t have to worry about.
Hemp is known to start out feeling a little stiff, but it softens over time. You can get that worn-t-shirt feel within a year, but that feeling can last a decade.
5) Fast-Drying Non-Toxic Ink
Believe it or not, oil from hemp makes a good base for non-toxic ink. When compared to common ink made with a soy base, this ink requires less processing steps to produce. A benefit of using it is that it dries faster on the page, reducing the chance of smudging once writing occurs. There are no signs that hemp ink is functionally better than other types of ink, but it now has a chance to become an industry contender for ink production.
6) Cloth Diapers and Pads
Hemp is also surprisingly absorbent for such a sturdy material. Soft things can be made too, but will still be quite durable. One helpful item that’s been explored is baby diapers. Reusable diapers are superior to disposable, in both comfort and impact on the environment. This material makes pretty good cloth diapers and is remarkably absorbent. Along the same lines, hemp also makes a good material for reusable menstrual pads, which are becoming increasingly popular.
7) Animal Feed
Hemp is pretty nutritious for a fibrous textile plant. We already mentioned that cannabis is packed with vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants. It’s also got globular proteins in the form of albumin and edistin. It’s easily digestible and is better for animals than corn or wheat in most forms. Hemp meal, which is ground up, can be used as a base and a healthy filler for animal feed. It’s good for people, too, in the form of hemp hearts.
8) Natural Carpeting
If you like a carpet made of natural fibers, try hemp. It makes a great durable carpet that is both softer and more eco-friendly than the many synthetic carpet materials. With the current surge of eco-friendly and renewable building materials, this carpeting is a comfortable addition to the modern responsibly built home. Further, it also makes good drapes, upholstery, and even insulations so it has plenty of roles to play in modern construction.
9) To-Go Containers and Tupperware
Hemp is also superior for biodegradable materials. Actually, it is pretty good for plastics, as well. So you can use hemp for sturdy paper-like to-go food containers, something that many restaurant brands should embrace. Hemp decomposes cleanly, is good for the earth to grow, and it can be made into bacterial-resistant and well-insulated food containers. Hemp can also be processed into longer-lasting plastics for home food containers.
10) Sneakers
Finally, hemp can and should be made into sneakers. Canvas sneakers have filled a variety of styles in-demand for many decades. Because this material is more durable and equally comfortable, it makes sense to start crafting sturdy, flexible shoes out of hemp canvas. When woven into several fabric types, it can be used to make enjoyably natural shoes.
Conclusion
There are so many ways to use hemp in modern industries. Hemp makes good clothes and textiles, paper, plastic, ink, cosmetics, and construction materials. The fact that it’s also enjoyable as CBD and marijuana are just the cherry on top. For more awesome cannabis insights, contact us today!