Hemp-Style

Hemp, contrary to what one might think, is used in many sectors: medical, construction and textiles. 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 vale boats and ropes (I have talked about it here). It is therefore a very resident fabric, perfect for carrying various materials and weights.

Today, more than ever, people are starting to be aware of the impact that their fashion choice has on the environment, and so the demand for environmentally friendly, sustainable and above all durable products has increased greatly in recent years. In fact, precisely for this reason, a remarkable variety of hemp bags are available nowadays, even in different sizes and colours, and they can also be customised 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, i.e. trimmed to produce hemp textiles again.

Why should we use bags made of hemp?

One of the best aspects of hemp is its durability. In fact, one of the main benefits of hemp bags over plastic ones 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 they become too dirty to be reused. Moreover, they can be washed (even at low temperatures) and dried completely without any problem. Moreover, 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 normal plastic and cotton bags. Hemp is a renewable resource and grows faster than most crops, which means that less land is needed to produce enough hemp compared to traditional crops. In addition, water use is also lower compared to other natural fibres, especially compared to cotton. In fact, it is estimated that 2700 litres of water are needed 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 disproportionate compared to cotton or plastic bags.

Different types of hemp bags

1. Hemp bags

Hemp bags are just like cotton bags but with better characteristics, as they are naturally biodegradable and can be composted after use and are much more durable. The fibre comes from the stem of the hemp plant and, unlike flax, does not require any special processing. It is soft and looks good.

2. Tote bag: hemp fabric shoulder bag

A timeless tote bag model, perfect for many 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, making them a very durable bag. In addition, the absence of a zip makes it very practical and convenient. If created with hemp fabric, even with a simple DIY, they can be used for a long time due to the durability of hemp fabric. If DIY is not for you, you can always buy them online or in organic and/or natural shops.

3. Hemp backpack

For hikers, whether in the city or in the mountains, the hemp backpack is perfect because it is very robust 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 for easy access to the contents. With two zipped compartments inside, an outside pocket and a zipped side pocket, this bag offers plenty of storage space.

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 glue 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 many times over. 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 brand, of Portuguese origin, became famous with their first waterproof shoe made entirely of textile hemp. For the past few months, this brand has also been producing 100% hemp textile backpacks, 100% vegan and 100% ecological, which can be used every day or even for short weekends. They are very large and durable, and best of all, they are also waterproof! Packed with features including a padded laptop sleeve, internal mesh pockets and internal organisation, this is perfect for storing your daily essentials but also for short weekends.

Hempalaya

The hallmark of this project, based in Austria, is the use of wild hemp from the Himalayas in Nepal. Backpacks, bags and accessories are made. In addition, the company manufactures all products exclusively in Nepal, where it enlists the invaluable help of local women and small tailors, paying them a fair price for their work, while also offering financial support, specific training and access to subsidised equipment. [4].

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