#6 HEMP BAGS: DURABLE, REUSABLE AND STYLISH
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Hemp, contrary to what one might think, is used in many sectors : from the medical, construction and textile sectors. Textile hemp is, in fact, a variety of Cannabis sativa L. that produces plants with particularly fibrous and resistant stems, very interesting for industrial use in the textile sector .
Hemp, in particular, is known for its ability to resist water damage, in fact for many centuries it was used for the production of canvas for boats and ropes (I talked about it here ). It is therefore a very residing fabric, perfect for carrying different materials and weights.
Today more than ever people are starting to be aware of the impact that their fashion choices have on the environment, and therefore in recent years the demand for ecological, sustainable but above all durable products has increased greatly. In fact, for this very reason, nowadays there is a considerable variety of hemp bags available, even in different sizes and colors and they can also be customized to match your look. The most important aspect of a hemp bag is that at the end of its life it can be easily recycled and reused, or trimmed to produce hemp textile again.
WHY SHOULD WE USE BAGS MADE OF HEMP?
One of the best things about hemp is its durability. In fact, one of the main benefits of hemp bags over plastic bags is that they can be reused over and over again. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and take hundreds of years to decompose. Hemp bags, on the other hand, can be used many times before becoming too dirty to be reused. In addition, they can be washed (even at low temperatures ) and dried completely without any problem. Furthermore, the hemp bag, once its life cycle is over, can be easily recycled and reused to produce hemp fabric again.
Hemp bags are better for the environment than regular plastic bags and cotton bags. Hemp is a renewable resource and grows faster than most crops, which means it takes less land to produce enough hemp than traditional crops. It also uses less water than other natural fibers, especially cotton. In fact, it is estimated that it takes 2,700 liters of water to produce a cotton t-shirt [1], which is at least 5 times more than hemp fabric.
Finally, if we consider the long period of use, the cost of hemp bags is not so excessive compared to cotton or plastic bags.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEMP BAGS
1. HEMP BAGS
Hemp bags are just like cotton bags but with the best features, as they are naturally biodegradable and can be composted after use and are much more durable. The fiber comes from the stem of the hemp plant and, unlike linen, does not require special processing. It is soft and has a beautiful appearance.
2. TOTE BAG: SHOULDER BAG MADE OF HEMP FABRIC
A timeless bag model , perfect for different occasions: for shopping, for other daily essentials and, why not, even for small trips or short journeys. Tote bags have two handles at each end and this makes them a very resistant bag. Furthermore, the absence of zips makes them very practical and comfortable. If created with hemp fabric, even with a simple DIY, they can be used for a long time thanks to the resistance of the hemp fabric. If DIY is not your thing, you can always buy them online or in organic and/or natural shops.
3. HEMP BACKPACK
For lovers of hiking, both in the city and in the mountains, the hemp backpack is perfect because it is very sturdy and durable . It can hold a lot of things while remaining light and comfortable to wear. The hemp bag is equipped with a detachable shoulder strap and has a double zip opening that makes it easy to access the contents. With two zip compartments inside, an outside pocket and a side zip pocket, this bag offers plenty of space to store items.
SOME MANUFACTURERS OF HEMP BACKPACKS
PURE HEMP BAGS
Hemp Bags is a bag manufacturer based in Germany since 1972. They produce high quality hemp backpacks, satchels and bags at their own production site near Eberswalde (Brandenburg). Their products are made from 55% natural hemp fibres and 45% organic cotton , so they can be used over and over again. This helps keep costs down compared to many other companies that use polyester. All hemp bags are Oeko TÜ/E and CE certified and come with a 5 year guarantee [2].
8000KICKS
This Portuguese brand became famous with their first waterproof shoe made entirely of hemp textile. For a few months now, this brand has also been producing 100% hemp fabric backpacks , 100% vegan and 100% eco-friendly, which can be used every day or even for short weekends. They are very large and resistant, and above all they are also waterproof! Packed with features including a padded laptop sleeve, internal mesh pockets and internal organization, this is perfect for storing your daily essentials but also for short weekends.
HEMPALAYA
The characteristic of this project, based in Austria, consists in the use of wild hemp that comes from the Himalayan area in Nepal . Backpacks, bags and accessories are made. Furthermore, the company produces all the products exclusively in Nepal, where it avails itself of the precious help of women and small local tailors, paying them a fair price for their work, also offering financial support, specific training and access to equipment. [4].
References and further information:
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/environment/strategy/textiles-strategy_it
[2] https://www.hempro.com/en/brands/pure-bags/
[3] https://www.8000kicks.com/products/everyday-hemp-backpack-in-beige-and-green
[4] https://hempalaya.com/
Photo:
[F1] Alexander Mils on Unsplash
[F2] Larry George II on Unsplash