Plastic is everywhere.

 

From food wraps and drink seals to packed snacks, everything has plastic in one way or another. 

 

But it’s also a major factor that is driving environmental degradation today.  

Did you know that over 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year? Surprisingly, only 9% of this waste can be recycled. 

What about the rest? 

The rest of it clogs our oceans, suffocates marine life, and accumulates in landfills for centuries, contributing to a growing environmental crisis. 

Several industries, especially the food packaging industry, have contributed significantly to this crisis. 

The single-use plastic is the backbone of the industry, with an output of more than 40% of the plastic waste generated globally per year. This has led to a systemic problem requiring biodegradable food packaging materials.

This is where hemp plastic enters – a sustainable alternative.

Hemp plastic is biodegradable, harmless, sturdy, and versatile and is used in creating a range of sustainable food packaging products.

In this article, we’ll explore seven benefits of hemp plastic for food packaging and why it is a game-changer. 

7 Reasons Hemp Plastic for Food Packaging is Perfect

Hemp Plastic - Food Packaging

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Here are seven interesting reasons why hemp is considered the safest and most biodegradable food packaging material and why businesses, consumers, and policymakers are noticing it.

1. Biodegradable and Environmentally Friendly

The plastic waste crisis isn’t just an environmental crisis; it’s also an economic and social one.

Traditional plastics take 400 million years to degrade completely, and 8 million tons of plastic waste are produced every year. Thus, over 3.2 billion tons of plastic waste from a single year alone will remain in the environment for centuries. 

The worst part is that a large portion of this waste ends up in oceans, causing havoc on marine ecosystems and costing billions of dollars annually in cleanup efforts.

However, with hemp plastic for food packaging, this cycle can be disrupted. 

In proper circumstances, hemp plastic is known to degrade on a natural basis over several months. 

This is because hemp’s natural form contains cellulose, a readily biodegradable material.

That’s why it’s a front-runner option for industries that are heavily regulated regarding plastic waste, both by law and by consumer expectation.

2. Non-toxic and Safe for Food

Nowadays, food safety is also assessed by the packaging.

A lot of people refuse to buy food packaged in petroleum-based plastics because they have potentially toxic chemicals such as BPA and phthalates.  These chemicals are known to affect the endocrine systems and cause chronic diseases.

Today, consumers actively seek environmentally friendly products, with health benefits being the top priority. 

Hence, by switching to hemp plastic, companies can capitalize on this growing interest. 

Companies can make awareness campaigns about hemp plastic vs. conventional food packaging and position themselves as leaders in health and sustainability.

3. Durable Yet Lightweight

 

Durable Yet Lightweight material

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Many people think using hemp compromises the strength aspect of the packaging. 

Well, hemp is both strong and durable. 

Its durability keeps the food packaged safe from physical damage and contamination from factors like moisture or temperature shifts.

This property makes it beneficial for long supply-chain industries where the food travels long distances before racing the consumers. 

Also, hemp plastic is super lightweight, which means low transportation costs and carbon emissions, making it a win-win for the logistics-heavy food industry. 

4. Improves Food Shelf Life

In the food industry, spoilage is a billion-dollar problem.

Oxygen and humidity are two of the main reasons that packaged products deteriorate.

However, hemp has superior barrier properties, which effectively overcomes this problem by preserving the quality of perishables. This innovation is a game-changer for industries dealing with high perishability, such as dairy, fresh produce, and coffee.

Research indicates that improved packaging has the potential to minimize food waste by up to 25%, which would be a substantial economic benefit for producers and retailers. 

5. Made from a Renewable and Sustainable Crop

Hemp grows 4 times faster than trees. 

Moreover, hemp regenerates the soil and thrives without pesticides, which means it has the least ecological footprint in the raw material supply chain.

Also, hemp’s high biomass yield—equivalent to 4.1 acres of trees per acre of hemp—makes it a cost-effective resource for large-scale production. 

With governments and industries investing in sustainable agriculture, hemp is perfectly positioned to dominate the bioplastics market. 

The global bioplastics market is projected to grow to $27 billion by 2027, and hemp plastic is a critical part of this transformation.

6. Supports the Circular Economy

 

Durable Yet Lightweight material

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When it comes to circular economy, hemp is a revolutionary material. 

It doesn’t just reduce waste; it eliminates it. Let us explain how hemp’s biodegradable properties make it both recyclable and compostable. 

Once its life cycle as packaging is over, you can either reuse or safely discard it back into the environment. It has cellulose content, which is highly favorable for the soil bacteria to decompose and release potent nutrients for the soil. 

So, unlike other crops, hemp is of great interest to governments in different countries. 

Several regulations, like the EU’s single-use plastics directive, are forcing companies to rethink their packaging strategies and adopt hemp-based materials. 

This way, businesses are also abiding by the global sustainability goals while reducing operational risks tied to waste management.

7. Versatile for a Range of Packaging Needs

Hemp plastic’s versatility is unmatched when it comes to the world of bioplastics. 

It can be engineered to meet a variety of packaging requirements.

Like flexible transparent films for producing rigid containers for beverages and pre-packaged meals.

This adaptability makes hemp plastic a one-size-fits-all solution for the food industry. 

For example, brands are already developing vacuum-sealed hemp bags for snacks and biodegradable trays for ready-to-eat meals. 

The ability to customize packaging without compromising on sustainability gives hemp plastic a clear edge over other alternatives. 

Furthermore, its aesthetic appeal resonates with eco-conscious consumers who value products that reflect their values.

Conclusion

The food packaging industry is at a turning point. 

With increasing environmental regulations, the decision to adopt hemp plastic isn’t just about staying competitive; it’s about leading the charge in a global movement toward sustainability. 

The future of food packaging is here, and it’s rooted in hemp. 

The question is: will you be part of the revolution?

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