The Eco-Friendliness of the hemp plant cannot be understated. Offering sustainable solution to existing products, introducing us to new innovations and actively cleaning the environment, hemp is set to revolutionize at one of the most critical times for our planet. Below are some of the vast benefits hemp offers our planet.
Vegan
The rise of plant based, vegetarian and vegan diets in the mainstream has illuminated the importance of meeting the bodies nutritional requirements. While relatively few plant-based foods are complete sources of protein, the Naturally Elevated Performance Range is 100% vegan yet still provides a healthy dose of required protein, magnesium, iron, amino acids and a host of vitamins and minerals. While there are notable benefits of taking fish oil (albeit an inferior omega balance than HSO), it is customarily extracted from large quantities of forage or bait fish such as anchovies and krill which significantly damages our oceans eco-systems and the environment.
Soil
The hemp plant is endowed with roots that grow up to nine feet, offering significant benefits to the planet and farmers. The nutrient heavy stem and leaves replenish the soil as they fall to the ground and decompose, delivering a richer yield of the next crop. The roots prevent erosion and actively repair the soil, combatting a common farming issue. The hemp plant also prevents sunlight from penetrating the soil, starving out the growth of weeds, while the long roots harness ground water and reduce its salinity. The hemp plant goes as far as absorbing toxic metals emitted by nuclear plants into the soil, such as copper, cadmium, lead and mercury. In fact, post-harvest soil is so clean and nutrient rich it makes excellent compost amendments for other plants
Air
Hemp literally breathes in Co2 making it natures purifier. As the plant captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, air pollution is reduced, cleaning the air we breathe. In fact, for every ton of hemp produced, 1.63 tons of carbon is removed from the air.
Moreover, while cotton and flax are known to consume 50% of all pesticides, the hemp plant is naturally resistant to pests and does not need pesticides and herbicides.
Vs Cotton
Unlike petroleum-based synthetic fibers, organic hemp fiber breathes and is recyclable. Stronger, more durable, warmer and more absorbent than cotton, hemp also wicks moisture and repels odor. It does not contain chemical residue resulting in a safer end product for consumers. Even a 50% hemp blend can offer protection from the sun’s UV rays.
Pulp & Paper
As we continue to deplete our planets natural resources (loss of all rainforests within 100 years), hemp is positioned to revolutionize the paper industry. While trees take years to mature, hemp can be grown in just four months meaning an acre of hemp will produce as much pulp for paper as 4 acres of trees. Not only is hemp more readily available, it is also a low lignin content compared to wood (hence turned to pulp faster and easier), does not require chlorine bleaching, uses 75% to 85% less sulphur-based acid and is also compatible with the new soy-based binders rather than the harsh binders that give off formaldehyde. Paper derived from hemp can even be recycled up to 300% more than tree based paper.
Hemp Plastic
Hemp plastic takes three to six months to decompose as opposed to synthetic plastic that take several hundred years. Again, hemp plastic takes three to six months to decompose as opposed to synthetic plastic that take several hundred years. Hemp plastic is completely biodegradable (cheaper to produce) because it does not rely on petroleum as its source. In fact, many brands such as Lego are moving to hemp plastic while other researchers are working on a hemp-based graphene that is stronger and cheaper than carbon fiber (300 times stronger than steel).
Waste & Our Commitment
Essentially, there is pretty much none! Currently, the hemp plant is used to produce of 25,000 products globally with this figure increasing every day. Naturally Elevated is committed to providing premium performance, recovery and wellbeing items that harness the amazing benefits of hemp. We seek to find the most eco-friendly solutions available and will continue to strive towards a zero-impact business model without compromising on quality.