The Leaf THE LEAF July-August 2019 | Page 17

atmosphere. Otherwise known as the greenhouse effect. Much of this rise in carbon dioxide can be attributed to the burning of fossil fuels. Conventional plastics are made from fossil fuels like petroleum. Therefore, plastic is a big contributor to rising CO2 emissions. Hemp plastic and products can actually reduce the greenhouse effect. This is because hemp absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into oxygen. In addition, hemp plastic generates zero toxic by-products. Seed to sale, hemp plastic is a sustainable process. This is the complete opposite of the toxic manufacturing process of petrochemical plastics. 6. Hemp plastic is stronger than petroleum- based plastics Plastic made from hemp is five times stiffer and 3.5 stronger than polypropylene, one of the most common types of plastic. It is also a lot lighter. This makes hemp unique from other manufacturing materials. Hemp also doesn’t pose the health risks conventional plastics do. So not only is hemp plastic stronger, it’s safer. Hemp plastic provides durability and strength while also being lightweight. These features combined make hemp plastic a no brainer. Why risk health and safety when there is a perfectly suitable alternative? 7. Hemp plastic is a renewable resource From the moment the seed enters the soil; hemp enriches its environment. Hemp is a sturdy plant with deep roots. As such, hemp helps prevent soil erosion, thereby reducing water pollution. Hemp can also be cultivated in the same soil for years without jeopardizing quality. Even once hemp is manufactured into plastic, it continues to be sustainable. Hemp plastic is 100% biodegradable. Which means that under the right conditions it will decompose within a few months. (Unlike traditional plastics that take an indefinite amount of time while leeching toxins in the process.) Conventional plastics are not worth the risk. The alternative is right in front of us. No other natural resource offers the capabilities of hemp. Start to finish hemp is renewable. While hemp certainly isn’t the only answer to our environmental and health concerns, it’s a start. https://www.green- flower.com/articles/448/7-ways-hemp- plastic-could-change-the-world