The Benefits of Hemp & Bamboo
In many ways, hemp and bamboo offer huge benefits over other resources – so much so, that it’s shocking we’re not using them more! Not only are their products of consistently superior quality, but the materials themselves are some of the most eco-friendly in the world.
Around the world, severe environmental problems are arising every day. Pollution, deforestation, global warming, water scarcity, the list goes on… Lucky for us, these two miracle plants are here to save the day.
Worried about the global water shortage? Not when it comes to these two. Hemp and bamboo are both drought resistant, requiring very little water or irrigation. That’s a huge improvement over cotton, which can take a whopping 2,700 liters just to produce a single t-shirt… Plus, hemp and bamboo’s lack of pesticides prevents water pollution. Requiring NO chemicals at all to grow, this is not only environmentally friendly, but also better for our health. I
Another environmental factor is that both plants can be harvested sustainably without damage to their ecosystems, and they’re biodegradable when their lifespan is up. This means that even after you throw away a hemp or bamboo product, the material is broken down by natural processes and returned to the Earth, renewing the soil with every growth cycle. How cool is that?! Not only does the environment go unharmed, it actually benefits from the disposal of the material.
In addition, the physical growth processes of hemp and bamboo have an enormous leg up on other plants. They can produce just as much fiber as cotton in only 50% and 10% of the land respectively, and they have extremely fast growth rates. Hemp can mature in only four months, and bamboo is actually known to be one of the fastest growing plants in the world, with certain species growing up to 91cm (3ft) in 24 hours! Plus, in the process of photosynthesis, hemp and bamboo absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide and release it back into the atmosphere in high levels of oxygen, leaving the air much cleaner than before. Bamboo plants specifically produce up to 35% more oxygen than equivalent stands of trees! Less space, faster growth, and cleaner air? It’s no wonder people are calling these “miracle” plants.
So they’re great for the environment, yes. That means they must be lacking in quality, right? Wrong. They’re actually better than most materials! While cotton fibers break down over time (don’t you hate when your favorite t-shirt gets a hole in it?), hemp has stronger fibers that soften with every wash but don’t break down nearly as quickly. Meanwhile, bamboo’s smooth fibers provide a soft, satiny feel from the start, but with much more durability than other materials. Strong fibers means longer lasting, meaning cheaper for you!
Finally, both hemp and bamboo win major points when it comes to comfort. The materials have a natural resistance to bacteria, while the moisture-wicking holes lead to quick absorption and evaporation. The antibacterial and absorbent nature of the two materials is a godsend.
Now you may be wondering what else hemp and bamboo are used for? They can be used for many things: paper, fuel, food, clothes, wood, sheets, plastic, even building houses… The opportunities are endless. The question is, with all their incredible benefits, what’s stopping us?
