Hemp Vs Plastic: The Biodegradation Battle

Hemp plastic is a fully biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic, which can take up to 500 years to decompose. In the right environment, hemp plastic can biodegrade within six months. Hemp is also non-toxic, recyclable, and does not release BPA, a substance that disrupts hormonal balance and can lead to tumour formation.

Hemp plastic biodegrades in 3-6 months

Hemp is an environmentally friendly and sustainable plant that helps combat climate change. It has a low cultivation input and high output, and it sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere. It doesn't need much water for cultivation and has no fertiliser or pesticide requirements. Plus, hemp grown on toxic soil absorbs the toxins but doesn't release any toxins into the air.

Hemp plastic has exceptional thermal stability, and some types of hemp materials are even fire-resistant. Products made from hemp plastic do not allow UV radiation to pass through, while synthetic plastics typically achieve this property through modifying additives. Unlike conventional plastic, hemp plastic products do not release BPA, a substance that disrupts hormonal balance and can lead to tumour formation.

Plastic bottles take 450-500 years to decompose

Hemp plastic has exceptional thermal stability—some types of hemp materials are even fire-resistant. It also has a low cultivation input and high output, sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere, doesn't need much water for cultivation, and has absolutely no fertiliser and pesticide requirements. Plus, hemp grown on toxic soil absorbs the toxins but does not release any toxins into the air itself.

Plastic, on the other hand, is not biodegradable and can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, depending on the material and structure. It is incredibly useful, but it’s bad in terms of the waste created. Plastic has only been in circulation since 1907, and experts estimate that some plastics can last hundreds of years before they finally break down. It keeps piling up in the strangest of ways, like the Great Pacific garbage patch just floating in the middle of the ocean.

Microplastics in particular have been found in every corner of the globe, from the peak of Mount Everest to the trough of the Mariana Trench. In fact, it has been estimated that humans ingest a credit card worth of plastic per week.

Hemp is non-toxic

Hemp is a highly sustainable and environmentally friendly plant. It is fully biodegradable and can decompose in as little as three to six months, compared to the 450-500 years it takes for a plastic bottle to biodegrade. Hemp is also non-toxic. Unlike plastic, it does not release toxins into the air or the natural environment. In fact, hemp grown on toxic soil absorbs toxins without releasing any itself.

Hemp is also non-toxic when used in building materials. Hemp insulation is lightweight and non-toxic, allowing for exposed installation in a variety of spaces, including flooring, walling and roofing. It absorbs roughly double the amount of heat compared to mineral insulation and can be compared to wood. Hemp insulation is porous, allowing for air and moisture penetration, with a bulk density of up to 20% without losing any thermal properties.

Hemp is also used to make paper. Hemp paper does not require toxic bleaching chemicals, unlike wood pulp, which uses chlorine or dioxins. This means that using hemp instead of wood for paper would end the practice of poisoning Earth's waterways. Hemp paper can be recycled up to eight times, compared to just three times for paper made from wood pulp.

Hemp is also used in the food industry. In the US, hemp can be used legally in food products and is typically sold in health food stores. Hemp seeds can be imported for sale as a food or food ingredient, provided they contain less than 0.3% THC concentration.

Hemp is recyclable

Hemp is a highly recyclable material. Hemp fabric can be recycled through mechanical processes, blending with other fibres, or composting, making it a sustainable textile option. Mechanical recycling involves breaking down the fabric into its constituent fibres through processes such as shredding, grinding, or cutting. The resulting fibres can then be spun into new yarns and used to create new fabrics or textile products. Blending hemp with other fibres, such as organic cotton or recycled polyester, can enhance the fabric's performance and create new sustainable textile blends.

Hemp plastic is also fully biodegradable and can decompose in as little as 3-6 months in the right environment. It is non-toxic and safe for both the natural environment and humans. Unlike conventional plastic, hemp plastic does not release BPA—a substance that disrupts hormonal balance and can lead to tumour formation. Furthermore, hemp grown on toxic soil absorbs toxins but does not release any toxins into the air.

The cultivation of hemp requires fewer resources such as water, pesticides, and herbicides compared to conventional textile crops. It also has a low cultivation input and high output, sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere, and has absolutely no fertiliser and pesticide requirements. Hemp is an extremely environmentally friendly and sustainable plant that helps combat climate change.

Hemp is an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic

Hemp is also recyclable and can be recycled as many times as required. It is non-toxic and does not release any toxins into the air, unlike plastic. It is also safe for both the natural environment and humans.

Hemp has a low cultivation input and high output. It sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere and does not need much water for cultivation. It also has no fertiliser or pesticide requirements. Plus, hemp grown on toxic soil absorbs the toxins.

Hemp has long been a valued production plant as its fibres are strong and can create fabric, paper and concrete. It also has exceptional thermal stability and some types of hemp materials are even fire-resistant.

Frequently asked questions