Eco Friendly Hemp Market Totes

First things first: Hemp is not marijuana. 

But wait, don’t leave yet! Let’s talk about hemp, which gives rise to one of the strongest and most durable organic fibers in production today. 

Why use hemp?

- It's an extremely durable and strong fabric.

- It blends easily with other fibers to produce a fabric that retains the strength of the hemp fibers while adding the comfort of softer, more refined fabrics.

- Hemp fabric is biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.

- It is antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-allergenic

- Hemp is a highly absorbent fabric, meaning it retains the color and quality when dyed. 

- Hemp's strong structure means it doesn’t lose shape easily and results in less creasing

Hemp and Pesticides

The EPA has officially registered 58 biopesticides and one conventional pesticide for use on hemp, most of which are used to combat insects, mites, and pathogens. Many of these products are commonly used in organically grown crops. Also, they break down quickly in the environment and are often sensitive to ultraviolet light or wash away easily in the rain.

Some of the most popular pesticides for use in hemp contain neem oil (active ingredient Azadirachtin) to manage certain insects, mites, and pathogens. Neem-based products dominate the approved pesticides list.   

Note: When laundering hemp fabrics, make sure you use cold water, and avoid chlorine bleaches. Ideally, allow the hemp to air dry. The process of using a dryer could cause wrinkles, and the fabric could shrink. 

With all this: hemp makes a wonderful basis for my Hemp Market Tote bags.