By using products made with derivatives of hemp, we make a contribution so that, every day, billions of tons of plastic do not end up in our seas, rivers, and lands, helping to mitigate an unprecedented environmental crisis. Among the most common plastic products are disposable single-use items, such as straws (sorbet straws or drinking straws) or utensils (tableware), which significantly contribute to global pollution. Microplastics, residues from these polluting materials, break down in the environment and have devastating effects on the environment and, consequently, also on our health.
It should be noted that as of January 1, 2021, the European Union implemented a ban on the use of disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products, so relying on the hemp alternative could be a good option. However, in contrast, surprisingly by decree months ago, Trump orders to go back to using plastic straws, arguing that paper alternatives use chemicals that can pose health risks, are more expensive to produce, and often require the use of several. Nevertheless, The Last Plastic Straw movement estimates that more than 500 million plastic straws are used every day in the United States.
Bioplastics, such as hemp derivatives, represent an innovative solution. They can be manufactured from the hemp plant; these products are biodegradable, compostable, and sustainable, demonstrating how nature can offer effective alternatives to synthetic materials. Hemp, known for its rapid growth and low environmental impact, not only avoids the use of petroleum-derived products but also helps reduce carbon footprint and limit the accumulation of non-recyclable waste.
The problem of microplastics
According to a study published in Science Advances, 91% of the plastic produced ends up in the trash or, worse, in the environment. Despite efforts to increase recycling, the vast majority of plastic remains disposable. When waste, such as straws or utensils, enters ecosystems, they degrade into small fragments of microplastics that end up contaminating seas and soils. These particles, now found all over the planet – even in glaciers and ocean floors – enter the food chain and pose a risk to human and animal health.
In summary, another study conducted by the University of Newcastle in Australia and commissioned by WWF found that we ingest an average of five grams of microplastics per week, equivalent to a credit card, mainly through water but also through foods like fish and shellfish. The consequences of these substances in the human body are still being studied, but many researchers believe they can interfere with the endocrine system and contribute to chronic inflammation.
Why choose hemp derivatives?
Hemp derivatives offer a solution to many of these problems. First, hemp bioplastics are completely biodegradable: once dispersed in the environment, they naturally decompose. The manufacturing company Hemptensils™ di GreenTek Packaging states that they fully degrade within a period ranging from a few weeks to 3 months. Additionally, these items can withstand very different temperatures: from food preservation in the freezer to heating food in the microwave.
On the other hand, hemp cultivation requires less water and pesticides than other industrial crops, and the plant can absorb large amounts of CO2 during its growth cycle without depleting the soil. This means that the use of hemp bioplastic can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
According to a report by the European Bioplastics Association, the bioplastics industry is continuously growing, and it is expected to cover a significant portion of the global plastics market by 2025. This shift to alternative materials could significantly reduce dependency on petrochemical derivatives and thereby limit conventional plastic production.
A future without disposable plastic
The cultivation and use of products like hemp bioplastics are just a small but significant step towards a more sustainable future. If more companies – like Konoplex and The Hemp Straw – and more conscious consumers choose similar products, it is possible to reduce plastic production and pollution caused by disposable waste. Although hemp bioplastic does not solve all problems related to conventional plastic, it is indeed a concrete testimony of how innovation can merge with sustainability to offer environmentally-friendly products.
In a world that is increasingly seeking sustainable alternatives, hemp could truly be a valuable ally in the fight against plastic pollution, especially with single-use waste, paving the way for increasingly ecological and responsible solutions.
*Germán Pereira (RecetasCañameras)*
