The Leaf THE LEAF Sept-Oct 2018 | Page 18

Hemp absorbs four times as much carbon dioxide as trees do during its quick 12-14 week grow cycle, which helps reduce CO2 emissions. Plastic Did you know that enough plastic is thrown away each year to circle the earth four times? The average American throws away approximately 185 pounds of plastic per year. Even worse, it takes 450-1,000 years for it to decompose! Look around your home, workspace, automobile, electronics, closet. Moulded petroleum products that last FOREVER. If the shop industry has taught us anything, it is that we don’t need anything forever. Hemp plastic could be the solution to the plastic pollution epidemic. Hemp plastic is a bio based natural fibre composite that is produced from the Hemp stalk. It is recyclable and can be manufactured to be 100% biodegradable. On top of that, producing Hemp plastic requires 22-45% less energy than fossil fuel-based products, which aids in lessening oil dependence. Manufacturing Hemp goods produces a greener and more ecofriendly environment. We promote Hemp products because they are good for us and for Mother Earth. It is our job to shine light on Hemp to revive this plant back to America’s forefront. We believe there are incredible entrepreneurial opportunities for all products to be produced from Hemp, just like textiles, paper, and plastics. Let us continue to revive the use of Hemp in our everyday lives, culture, and economy. Let us return to what is wholesome and good for Mother Earth and her inhabitants— HEMP. Hemp Food A great way to integrate Hemp into your everyday life is through Hemp food. The small seed packs tons of nutrition, like easily digestible protein, omegas 3 & 6, amino acids, and fibre. Due to the fact that Hemp is a super food, we have seen more and more popularity in its consumption. There are three main ways to eat Hemp: through oil, protein powder, and the seed. The best way to apply it is in smoothies, salads, yogurts, etc. To be honest, you can even sprinkle Hemp seed on top of your pizza, it is a versatile ingredient. Why is Hemp better than Cotton Hemp can benefit many industries and truly have a large impact on the sustainability of our world. One of the ways Hemp can change our world is by processing Hemp into textile sources. Prior to the 1800s, Hemp was the go- to textile for clothing, ropes, and canvas.