Why the world needs hemp plastic
By Jessica McKell – January 14 th 2018 – Cannabis Tech
Hemp plastic is increasingly becoming a
viable option as an eco-friendly alternative to
carbon-based plastic.
Not only is this bioplastic sourced from safe
and sustainable hemp plants, but it is also
typically both biodegradable and recyclable.
Now, companies can legally grow, harvest,
and process hemp for research purposes.
There are already an estimated 19 states
participating in this program, all pursuing new
potential applications for hemp.
When it comes to plastic specifically,
companies like American Hemp, c2renew and
others are already striving towards better,
more sustainable hemp-based products.
Hemp Plastic is Nothing New
Hemp plastics are a return to the innovations
of the old days, after all, hemp has been
around for thousands of years as a building
material.
Even America consumed roughly 3000 tons
of hemp a year before the prohibition era,
which started in the early 20th century.
The problem of the world’s plastic obsession
is that it's never-ending. In 2017, the global
plastic consumption reached new peaks, with
an estimated eight million metric tons of
plastic ending up in the oceans on an annual
basis, including some 102.1 billion plastic
bags from America alone.
Despite the push to reduce, reuse, and recycle,
the global thirst for all things plastic is
unquenchable.
The need to develop biodegradable,
compostable alternatives to petroleum-based
plastics is pressing.
With today’s consumption rates, it’s simply
not feasible to keep pumping out conventional
plastics, each with a lifespan of 500 years or
more.
Although many companies around the world
are well into hemp-based plastic production,
the United States is only now getting into the
game.
It was only since the passing of Farm Bill
(Section 7606), in 2014, which allowed for
real innovative leaps in hemp production in
the United States.
Durable rope, cloth, industrial building
materials and more were all made from hemp.
The word canvas stems from the word
cannabis because hemp was the most
common material used for canvas sails in the
past.
Up until the 1930’s, hemp was already in use
in products such as a cellophane film, and a
sort of compostable Styrofoam.
Henry Ford famously designed and built a car
almost entirely made out of hemp plastic in
the 1940’s.
There is even a rumour he wished to fuel it
from ethanol eventually.
Ford's finished vehicle only relied on metal
for the frame.
It was therefore over 1,000 pounds lighter
than a comparable model and the hemp plastic
panelling was far more resistant to damage.