If there is one industrial material that defines the last century, it is plastic. 

But it is also the material most responsible for today’s waste crisis.

Most countries are looking for alternatives to single‑use and non petroleum based plastics, and hemp plastic is developing as a serious option in the USA because of its renewable feedstock and lower lifecycle emissions.

Hemp plastic is a bioplastic made from industrial hemp, which is, in fact, federally legal in the USA. 

Since 2018, there has been a rapid industrial hemp acreage expansion, which has also led to new bioplastic startups forming.

But what can you buy? What items can you easily replace with hemp plastic products in the USA? 

Let us look at product trends and regulations in the market. 

Is hemp plastic legal in the USA?

But before we start, let’s clear a myth about hemp products in the USA. 

Industrial hemp itself is legally allowed and regulated by the US federal government. 

So, there is no federal law banning hemp plastics. But both federal and state rules influence how products can be labeled and sold in regulated sectors like food packaging or cannabis packaging. 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the Domestic Hemp Production Program. It makes sure all hemp used in materials like bioplastics comes from licensed producers under federal or state plans. 

This framework came from the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed hemp from the list of controlled substances.

What hemp plastic products can you buy in the USA?

The short answer, far more than most people expect.

The US market already has multiple categories of hemp plastic products. These include raw materials for raw materials for plastic goods manufacturers and finished goods for individuals and businesses.

There is a noticeable trend among Gen Z and Millennials to prioritize eco-friendly packaging and sustainable purchases. Hemp plastics in the USA tap into this rising interest in green materials and demand for biodegradable alternatives among consumers.

 Here are the most common hemp plastics product or raw materials you can buy in the USA:

1. Resin pellets for manufacturing

According to a 2025 report, 90% Americans said they were more likely to buy from a brand if the product’s packaging was eco-friendly. A separate survey found that nearly half of US consumers (49%) reported purchasing an environmentally friendly product in the past month.

Companies such as The Hemp Plastic Company sell hemp‑blended polymer pellets that run on standard injection molding and extrusion equipment. Manufacturers can use these pellets to make:

• appliance housings
• consumer goods
• automotive components
• packaging lids and caps

These pellets are part of the trend toward alternatives to petroleum based plastics that reduce carbon footprint but also allow existing manufacturing lines to stay largely unchanged.

But what about finished goods? What are the hemp plastic items you can buy readily in the USA?

2. Packaging and containers

Brands are also switching to hemp plastic packaging to comply with single‑use restrictions and sustainability mandates. So, single use plastic packaging and take out containers are being replaced by hemp PLA and cellulose composites. These are usually composites of hemp hurd and PLA biopolymer, which is fully plant‑based and industrially compostable.

3. Straws, cutlery and other everyday single use items

Restaurants and foodservice chains are also piloting hemp plastic straws and utensils to replace petroleum‑based disposables. Individuals can also get hemp plastic utensils and tableware for home use online in the USA.

4. Other consumer items

You can also get your hands on 3D printing filament products such as “Entwined” blend PLA with hemp fibers. They offer:

• natural matte finish
• higher stiffness than standard PLA
• lighter weight for the same volume

Hemp plastic toothbrushes, pens, combs and reusable containers and other alternatives to petroleum based plastics are also easily available in the USA.

Source 

5. Construction and applications

Some companies are also experimenting with hemp in building envelopes. For example, you can get:

• hemp fiber‑reinforced composite panels and boards used for insulation and wall systems
• specialty materials such as hemp‑based window frames or durable interior trim components
• hemp fibers used in composite construction materials that aim to be lighter and more thermally efficient than standard plastics or cement‑based products 

That said, a distinctive but related product in housing and sustainable construction is hempcrete. This is a lightweight bio‑composite made from hemp hurds and lime. 

Hempcrete itself is not a plastic in the technical sense (it is a biocomposite insulation material rather than a molded plastic product). But it shares hemp’s role in low‑carbon building and is being adopted increasingly in homes and other structures in the US. 

Hempcrete blocks and infill are also known for good thermal and moisture regulation conventional concrete or fossil fuel based insulation materials

Who sells hemp plastic in the United States?

Source 

Unlike traditional plastics, the hemp plastic market in the USA is still young and fragmented. 

But there are still multiple companies and suppliers you can buy hemp plastic products from.

We have put together a list of different companies to buy hemp plastic products in the USA.

Raw & Compound Material Suppliers

Packaging & Single-Use Product Sellers 

Consumer Hemp Plastic Product Sellers

You can also buy hemp plastic products from outside the USA. There are multiple global sellers of raw and finished hemp-based products, including:

Some states such as California have particularly strict labeling laws around recyclability and compostability.

These rules protect buyers from misleading environmental claims. They make sure labels like “recyclable” or “compostable” meet real standards so consumers aren’t tricked.

But you can also make sure claims are credible by checking for third-party certifications. Look for material certifications like:

• ASTM compostability
• USDA biobased %
• BPI certified compostable (D6400/EN13432)

But does hemp plastic really make a difference? Well, hemp has been used for centuries to make clothing, paper, and rope. It is an exceptionally durable fibre that adds strength to bioplastic. 

Is Hemp plastic really sustainable and high‑performance?

The advantages of using hemp in bioplastics include: 

1. Renewable Feedstock

Hemp grows quickly and with relatively low chemical inputs. The starting material for hemp plastics is also a plant that absorbs carbon from our environment, unlike fossil fuels that release CO2 at every stage of production and disposal.

2. Possibility of Biodegradability

Not all hemp plastics are fully biodegradable. But when the polymer matrix is also plant‑based (for example, PLA), the material can break down under industrial composting conditions. 

On performance, industrial data and market reports confirm that hemp fiber‑reinforced biocomposites:

• are stronger and stiffer than many unfilled polymers
• offer high mechanical performance suitable for packaging and automotive components
• can provide lightweight composites with lower energy requirements for processing. 

This doesn’t mean hemp plastic is perfect in every scenario. The specific formulation and whether the base resin is fossil versus plant‑based determine its end‑of‑life pathway and sustainability profile. But the core advantage is that hemp can contribute renewable carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with petroleum plastics.

Hemp Foundation also turns hemp waste into valuable products. We help restore depleted soils and revive farmland in northern India to create alternatives to petroleum based plastics products in multiple sectors.

FAQs

1. Is hemp plastic legal in the US?

Yes. Hemp products are legal under the 2018 Farm Bill’s federal framework, and hemp materials can be transported interstate. 

2. Are all hemp plastics compostable?

Not all biopolymers are compostable. You can look up a compost certification like the ASTM D6400 to check if a hemp plastic product is compostable under industrial conditions. 

3. Does hemp plastic perform as well as conventional plastic?

Hemp fiber composites can match or exceed the performance of many plastics, especially where stiffness, strength, and lightweighting matter. 

4. Do state laws affect hemp plastics?

States like California are actively enforcing environmental labeling laws that impact how hemp plastics can be marketed. This means that consumers can verify if a product is recyclable or compostable just by looking at the label, which reduces greenwashing among brands.