Hemp is also known as “Cannabis Sativa” , it comes from the same plant as marijuana. Do not get confused by hemp in relation to other cannabis plants as it only contains a small amount of THC which makes it a non-psychoactive compound that does not cause a high. It is a highly nutritious plant which originated in Asia and China and soon spread to Europe and the Mediterranean. For thousands of years, it was used to make many commercial products such as rope, paper, textiles, and canvas. One interesting fact is: the name canvas actually comes from the Dutch word meaning Cannabis! The Seeds are situated at the top of the plant and are made up of approximately 29% Dietary Fibre, 25% Protein, and 35% Oil. The seeds also rich in a variety of minerals, essential fatty acids, and vitamins. The seeds can also be used in organic body care, fibres, and stalks used in clothing, plastics, biofuel, and construction materials. Many years ago, hemp/marijuana was banned, however, in recent time it is now known to have many promising environmental benefits. discussed below are 10 Environmental Benefits of the Hemp plant.

1. Growing Hemp can Clean the Environment through Bioremediation 

Hemp can help protect the environment, clean the atmosphere and even possibly reverse the damage that may have already been done to the environment. Global warming is due to high levels of carbon dioxide and Hemp can reduce this as it consumes 4 times as much CO2 as trees do. It has a short growing cycle of 12 to 14 weeks which makes it a highly sustainable crop. It also removes radioactive chemicals and toxins from the soil.

2. Paper made from Hemp can protect against deforestation

Hemp has real potential to be a substitute resource as an alternative for the paper that is sourced from trees. The use of hemp instead of timber as a source of paper can significantly reduce deforestation. Eliminating the needs to cut down forest trees is the best way to protect our environment. Another known fact is: a single acre of hemp can produce the same amount of paper a year as 4 acres of trees!

3. Pesticides Reduction 

The plant can grow just about anywhere unlike trees which are used for paper and have a fairly limited habitat location. The plant can grow in different seasons and even on unproductive land. It is naturally resilient to pests so it doesn’t need environmentally harmful herbicides or pesticides. In the making of cotton textile, it requires a large number of pesticides. Using hemp as a substitute to cotton would drastically reduce pesticide usage. Very few insects are known to exist in hemp crops.

4. Hemp is Recyclable 

The paper that is produced from hemp can be recycled a little over 2 times more than timber paper. Recycling has become an increasing concern, for example, fiberglass is non-recyclable and the hemp plant is a great substitute for this. If you add long-fiber hemp pulp to recycled paper, it greatly increases the number of times that it can be recycled.

5. Biomass Fuels 

Hemp grown for the production of biomass fuels can provide us with our coal, oil, gas, and all our energy needs, therefore, ending the need for fossil fuels. There are a couple of ways to create hemp biofuel, with hemp biodiesel and hemp methanol/ethanol. The process of making biomass fuels from the plant produces gasoline, charcoal, methanol, and much more. It is the number one producer of biomass fuels per acre in the world. When burning biomass fuels, there is a lower amount of CO2 been added to the atmosphere.

6. Hemp is a great food source plant

There are many nutrient Properties associated with the plant that we can benefit from by just adding the seeds into our daily diet.. It is a fantastic source of plant-based protein and it contains all the essential amino acids that we do not produce in the body. The seeds can be added to granola, yogurts, soups, salads, and much more. CBD extract from the plant also has many benefits.

7. Hemp is a very versatile textile 

Hemp can be used in a variety of different ways and it is a great alternative for almost any textile. The plant can be used to make clothing and it is fire resistant unlike many other fabrics like cotton and linen. It even gets softer every time you wash it and wear it. It keeps you warm in the winter and it is very breathable in hot and the warm weather. Hemp fibre is also 10 times stronger than cotton.

8. Hemp Plastics are the Future 

One of the biggest concerns in the world right now is the plastic pollution problem. Millions of plastic products are found floating in the sea which can poison the food chain and also pollute the water. Plastic is a part of our everyday lives but why is it made from non-renewable petrochemicals? Hemp can be used as a great biodegradable alternative to plastic. It is a surprising miracle crop that should be used more widely around the world. Using this plant to make plastic would have a major positive impact on the world. Learn more about hemp plastic!

9. Environmentally Friendly Cosmetic 

Hemp can be found in a lot of skin care cosmetic products. Fatty acids can restore and sooth the skin when added to creams. The natural texture of hemp gives an excellent smooth after feel to conditioner, body lotions, lip balms, massage oils, and shaving creams. The possibilities are endless when using the hemp plant for skin care cosmetic products.

10. Used for Pet Food and Bedding 

The plant is harvested mainly for its seeds and stalks which are used in the production of so many different products including Pet Food and Bedding for animals. This makes it a very important renewable commercial commodity. It is an all-natural bedding and food product. It is an environmentally friendly and safe choice for both pets and livestock. Hemp food and bedding bring healthy advantages to your pets. Hemp wood and straw shavings are twice as absorbent and need little changing every so often. Being chemical free, it produces less dust than other animal products, this, in turn, will help protect your animals from respiratory health issues. This environmentally friendly source of food and bedding will reduce your overall costs and waste, saving you time and money!