Is Hemp the Solution?

“Make the most of the Indian hemp seed and sow it everywhere.” George Washington

                Are there any “miracle fibers” in production that will help replace current popular fibers? Some may argue that fibers such as hemp, bamboo and Organic cotton are the future. While these fibers have advantages, they also have disadvantages and there are many people fighting for and against them. Probably the most debated is hemp due to its relation to the marijuana plant.  

                Hemp. Could it be the future? There are many supporters of the hemp plant including actor Woody Harrelson and musician Willie Nelson. Hemp is a popular crop because of its ability to be used in many different products including textiles and fuel. The only problem is that it is illegal. According to the Hempsters: Plant the Seed documentary, many tobacco farmers want to use hemp as a substitute for tobacco. Many of the farmers are losing their crops due to reduced demand in tobacco and with the loss of their farms, they are losing their income. The “Hemp: Historic Fiber Remains Controversial” article mentions that hemp is popular in the sustainability movement because it does not require pesticides or insecticides due to its natural resistance to mold and pests.  Many sustainable people find problems with the pesticide use in cotton and other crops. Growing hemp instead of cotton would mean a reduction in pollution. While there are many people in favor of hemp, there are those that are not. The Hempsters documentary mentions that many are opposed to hemp because of its association with marijuana. While hemp is related to marijuana, it does not contain the same hallucinogenic qualities as marijuana.

                Bamboo is another plant that can be used in textile production. The problem with bamboo is that manufacturers and retailers are improperly labeling apparel products as bamboo products when in reality they are actually rayon. Bamboo cellulose is used in the production of synthetic fibers such as rayon, but there is not enough of bamboo left in the rayon to label the product as “made from bamboo.” Apparel that is actually made from bamboo is great because it is antimicrobial and biodegradable. Rayon on the other hand is not biodegradable. I do not see bamboo as a miracle fiber because after reading the article I did not have enough evidence about how durable and useable bamboo is as a fiber.

                Organic cotton could be just the solution to environmental problems. It involves the reduction of pesticide use and other harmful chemicals. Many are in favor of it because of the lack of chemical affect it has on the environment. The problem with organic cotton is the certification process. According to the “Controversy Boiling: GM Cotton over Organic” article, many Genetically Modified cotton plants are being labeled as organic. This is another example of how the textile industry is tricking consumers. As I mentioned earlier, some rayon producers are marketing rayon as bamboo. The article mentions that the only solution to making sure organic cotton really is organic is transparency in the certification process. Retailers should be able to see where their product is coming from and how their manufacturer really produces the piece.

                Out of all of the fibers mentioned, I believe that hemp is the most likely to be a “miracle fiber.” Despite its negative relation to marijuana, it has many respective qualities that can make it a game changer in the textile industry. The lack of pesticides required in cultivation, durability and multiple uses makes it a great fiber.