Highly biodegradable, non-toxic hemp plastic for humans, could change the face of the world
Did you know that it takes between 500-1 years for plastic to degrade? Plastic pollution destroys our planet minute by minute. In fact, so much plastic is thrown away every year, it could surround the earth four times… This plastic ends up in the land and the sea, devastated natural ecosystems. Worse yet, this same plastic pollution ends up in our bodies. An estimated 000% of Americans over the age of six test positive for BPA, a plastic chemical linked to cancer, diabetes, impaired immunity, and more… Clearly, plastic pollution non-biodegradable is a danger for the environment and for health. But how could hemp plastic help in this area?
Hemp source of cellulose
The basic building blocks of plastic are cellulose. Currently, cellulose is mainly obtained from petroleum. However, petroleum-based plastics are harmful to human health. Not to mention destructive of the environment. Hemp, on the other hand, is an excellent source of cellulose and is durable.
Hemp plastic is completely biodegradable
One reason plastic is so toxic is because of its long shelf life. A water bottle can only be used for a few minutes, but it will take years to break down. Accounts for other plastic items like grocery bags, tupperware, buttons, packaging, electronics - it's easy to see why plastic pollution is developing in the whole world.
Meanwhile, hemp plastic can be completely biodegradable when made with biodegradable polymers. Unlike conventional plastics, plastic made from hemp does not contribute to permanent pollution. In the right environment, hemp plastic takes about 3-6 months to decompose. It's amazing compared to conventional plastics.
Hemp plastic can also be recycled indefinitely. While petroleum-based plastic can be recycled, because this type of plastic is loaded with chemicals, it is a toxic process. Conventional recycled plastics still leak harmful substances into the environment, such as BPA. Plastic made from hemp completely avoids these toxins.
Hemp is not toxic, neither is its plastic
Plastic is toxic to our health. Conventional plastics contain endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors, such as BPA, interfere with the endocrine system (aka hormone) in the human body. Once inside the body, endocrine disruptors act like the hormone estrogen. Why is this dangerous?
This hormonal imbalance in the body can stimulate the development of tumors. In fact, endocrine disruptors have been linked to birth defects, cancer, learning disabilities, and more. The dangers of toxic chemicals in plastics don't end with digestion. Endocrine disruptors can also be found in soil and groundwater. This destroys the natural environment and our health.
Plastic made from hemp does not contain harmful disruptors like petroleum-based plastics. It also does not release toxins into the air during production. Why continue to destroy our environment and our health when there is an alternative?
Hemp plastic could help save endangered wildlife
Plastic is polluting the ocean at alarming rates. A study by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization and Imperial College of London found that 60% of seabirds today have plastic in their gut. By 2050, they expect this figure to reach 99% … How does this plastic end up in wildlife?
When the plastic is exposed to sunlight, it breaks down into small pieces. These small pieces of plastic end up being ingested by marine life and other. When the plastic disintegrates, it goes down the food chain. Animals, like humans, are not designed to consume plastic.
Ingestion of plastic can lead to a number of adverse health effects. Lots of what we're probably still unknown about. Hemp plastic, on the other hand, is biodegradable. It is also not toxic. Instead of filling our seas with deadly petrochemical plastics, we could create sustainable initiatives to recycle hemp plastic safely.
Hemp plastic is extraordinarily versatile
Did you know that thousands of everyday plastic products could be made from hemp instead of petroleum? Hemp plastic can be molded into almost any shape. Uses of hemp plastic include:
- Electronic
- containers
- Toys
- Beauty products
- Bottles
- Bags
- Car parts
- boats
- Furniture
This list is only a fraction of the plastic products that could be made from hemp. Hemp plastic can replace toxic plastics in all ways. And unlike petrochemical plastics, manufacturing hemp plastic is environmentally friendly and cost effective.
Hemp plastic reduces environmental pollutants
There is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today than at any time in history over the past 80 years. The increased concentrations of carbon dioxide are responsible for the warming of the Earth's atmosphere. Otherwise known as the greenhouse effect… Much of this increase in carbon dioxide can be attributed to fossil fuels…
Conventional plastics are made from fossil fuels such as petroleum. Therefore, plastic greatly contributes to the increase in CO2 emissions. Hemp products can effectively reduce the greenhouse effect. This is because hemp absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into oxygen. We even use it for clean polluted soil. In short, hemp plastic is a sustainable process. This is the exact opposite of the toxic manufacturing process of petrochemical plastics.
Hemp plastic is more resistant than petroleum-based plastics
Plastic made from hemp is five times stiffer and 3.5 more resistant than polypropylene, one of the most common types of plastic. It is also much lighter, which makes hemp unique for manufacturing materials. Hemp does not pose the health risks of conventional plastics either.
So, not only is hemp plastic more resistant, but it is also safer. Hemp plastic offers durability and resistance while being lightweight. So why risk health and safety when there is a perfectly suitable alternative?
Hemp plastic is a renewable resource
From the moment the seed enters the soil; hemp enriches its environment. Hemp is a hardy plant with deep roots. As such, hemp helps prevent soil erosion, thereby reducing water pollution. Hemp can also be grown in the same soil for years without compromising on quality.
Even once hemp is made of plastic, it continues to be durable. Hemp plastic is 100% biodegradable. Which means that under the right conditions, it breaks down within a few months. Unlike traditional plastics whose duration is indefinite, especially in the human body ...
Conventional plastics are therefore not worth the risk ... The alternative is right in front of us. No other natural resource offers the capabilities of hemp. Because hemp is terribly renewable ... Of course, hemp is certainly not the only answer to our environmental and health concerns, but it remains a very good start to intelligently save the planet.
