Environmental benefits of hemp homeware

 



Hemp is having its heyday. As a material it has all sorts of uses and it is being heralded as the answer to many eco issues but does hemp really live up to the hype?

Well, its eco-credentials do seem to stack up. Unlike its rivals it is very fast growing, in fact, along with bamboo it is one of the fastest growing plants on Earth and does not require anywhere near the same amount of water to flourish – around one fifth of that needed for cotton. It is also naturally pest resistant, meaning it does not require harmful pesticides to farm it.

As an alternative to plastic, it is non-toxic and biodegradable, and its natural fibers make it a soft and breathable fabric.

A member of the Cannabis Sativa plant species, there is a lot of confusion surrounding hemp as many people associate it with the cannabis drug. However, the variety used to get “high” has been specifically developed to contain high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component, whereas industrial hemp has very low levels of THC and higher concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD), which decreases or eliminates its psychoactive effects.

It is believed humans were cultivating this plant as many as 10,000 years ago. It has been found first in pottery, then later for clothes, shoes, ropes, and paper. Following in our ancestors’ footsteps, hemp is now enjoying a resurgence and is being used in the production of all of those things and more besides.

Here is a list of places where you can find hemp in our modern households.

Living room

As a fabric, hemp is soft, super-strong and versatile – making it perfect for upholstery and soft furnishings. Some companies are now creating whole ranges exclusively using hemp-based fabrics.

With its many uses there are a host of decorative items available, ranging from wall hangings made from hemp cord to lamp shades made from hemp waste.

Bedroom

Ramp up the hemp in the boudoir with bed linen, throws and cushions. Why not add a few decorative items such a hemp rug at your feet or hemp curtains at the window too.

Bathroom

Luxuriate in the tub with a wealth of hemp skincare products, such as face masks and body oils, and stock up the bathroom cabinet with hemp products including lip balms and skin salves. You can even get hemp toilet paper!

Kitchen

Hemp oil is becoming the ingredient of the moment, with people using it infused into a coffee, combined with a salad dressing and dropped into smoothies.

If you fancy adding hemp oil to your foods opt for an organic brand such as Platinum CBD.

Study

Pick up paper, pens and a host of other stationary to stock up the home office, all made using hemp.

Garden

Stretch out on a piece of hemp garden furniture, light a hemp scented candle and protect yourself from the sun’s rays with a hemp parasol. Bliss.

The list of hemp-based products is growing all the time. This eco-friendly material looks like it is here to stay and is perhaps the answer to some of the environmental issues currently being tackled.

So the next time you are shopping for homeware, considering hemp might be a way to help reduce your carbon footprint.