As the world’s concern for increasing global environmental issues rises, so too does its demand for eco-friendly replacements for products that are harmful to the planet. Unfortunately, the fashion industry is a particularly large course of CO2 emissions and pollution – but if you make the right choices, it doesn’t have to be.
Hemp fabric, made from the fibers of the non-psychoactive Cannabis sativa plant by the same name, is durable, soft, easy to produce, and far kinder on the planet, making it a blessing for anyone who is looking to lower their carbon footprint while still stay fashionable!
What Makes Hemp a Good Material
There are many, many reasons why hemp produces an ideal material for making clothing. Firstly, hemp requires very few pesticides, making it a natural and organic crop unlike cotton. It is also extremely durable, and boasts a number of great qualities that discerning fashionistas often look for in their purchases.
Hemp can be made into a wide variety of different fabrics, and can also be sewn together with cotton or silk to create a softer first-time wear. It makes fantastic shirts, pants, dresses and vests, not to mention bags, hats and accessories as well. It’s breathable, versatile, and can be worn all year around.
That’s not all, though. This miracle fabric is also highly porous, meaning that it locks and retains dyes for longer and keeps your clothes looking bright and attractive for years. It softens with use, tears and wears down far less than other traditional fabrics, doesn’t fray, and doesn’t wrinkle either! No ironing or repair is needed when you’re wearing hemp, and it’s strong enough to withstand the pressure of any of your daily activities, from your morning jog to drinks with your colleagues after work – or simply playing your favourite online pokies NZ at home.
Why You Should Choose Hemp
Synthetic fibres (microplastics) are another big problem being posed to the environment by traditional fashion. Mass-produced polyester and synthetic materials are extremely toxic to both nature, and us and pump unnecessary xenoestrogens and other chemicals into the carbon chain. Furthermore, these fabrics are also very water intensive to create, while hemp is an extremely low-water crop, making it the obviously superior choice.
Pesticide and insecticide use is also terrible for the environment, and the cotton industry accounts for over a quarter of the world’s use of these two deadly chemical groups. Thus, the more cotton that is grown and processed into fabric, the more water is flushed full of these substances, adding yet more negative impacts to the planet and all that live on it.
Low Pesticide Use and Humanistic Harvesting
Unlike cotton and synthetic materials, hemp is a highly sustainable industry for a variety of reasons. As mentioned above, hemp crops do not require any pesticides, insecticides or synthetic fertilizers, and they also grow much quicker than other material crops. This makes its cultivation much safer for plants, animals, soil, water, and of course us, too.
Another big plus is that most industrial hemp companies shun the use of sweatshops, and have policies in place that protect and support their workers. This allows you to enjoy the latest fashion while also standing for sustainability, humanistic practices, and environmental security for years to come!