We all know this tug-of-war. We need eco-friendly plastic alternatives. But, we love convenience.
Every single person in this world will welcome sustainable bags.
But they must be cheap, versatile, strong, durable, and water-resistant.
They must also be scalable to take over the market.
There is a reason why plastic-free bag trends gain momentum but fail to create a lasting impact.
Alternatives need to compete with the convenience that traditional plastic bags offer.
In our search for biodegradable bag solutions—
Hemp plastic bags are the answer
The environmental benefits of switching to an alternative like hemp plastic bags are innumerable. Let’s understand how.
Hemp is a top carbon-negative crop. Production of hemp plastic emits 80% less CO2 than making polyethene terephthalate.
Almost all plastic bags, about 99%, are made from petroleum. They can take hundreds of years to break down. It keeps adding to the mountains of toxic waste we cannot dispose of.
Plastics leach harmful chemicals into our food, water, and soil. They include phthalates, bisphenols (BPA), and flame retardants. These chemicals hurt both humans and wildlife. They lead to developmental issues in kids, problems with reproductive health, and increased cancer risk.
When traditional plastic finally breaks down, it does not disappear. It turns into tiny microplastics that are ingested by both humans and animals.
As they keep accumulating in our food chain, so does a plethora of health risks. Heart disease, respiratory disorders and autoimmune disorders are the tip of the iceberg.
Hemp-based plastic decomposes in 3-6 months. It releases no toxins, only organic matter. It comes from a plant after all.
As great as environmental and health benefits are— hemp plastic bags offer a lot more.
Traditional plastic bags are popular for their versatility, strength, and durability.
Hemp plastic bags can not only compete with but beat traditional ones in these aspects.
Hemp-based plastic is made with the cellulose of the plant instead of oil. It already has 3-5 times more tensile strength than petroleum-based plastic. Hemp-based plastic bags can endure much more stress. They can carry heavier objects.
What’s more?
With biopolymer engineering, we can mix hemp fibres with other plant-based materials, like PLA and PHA. These materials add to the strength of hemp-based plastic and make it more durable.
PHA also increases the thermal stability of hemp-based plastic. This makes it more versatile in its uses. We can make bags and containers. We can also use this plastic in heat-intensive processes, like 3D printing.
Science can further unleash the potential of hemp plastic bags. Nanotechnology can make hemp plastic bags not only tougher but also more flexible. Such is the magic of graphene and carbon nanotubes.
Another great thing about hemp plastic bags is that they are lighter than regular plastic bags. This makes them great for carrying groceries. But, on a larger scale, imagine how much fuel we could save by transporting these bags from place to place.
It’s no surprise that BMW, Mercedes, and Bugatti use hemp-based plastic in their products.
It’s clear that in many ways hemp-based plastic bags have an edge over traditional plastic bags.
However…
We need more research and effort to make hemp plastic bags the top eco-friendly choice over traditional plastic
Traditional plastic bags do not have a chokehold on the market solely because of their versatility, durability and strength.
The subsidies on fossil fuels make raw materials for petroleum-based plastic very cheap. Hemp is a low-maintenance, low-investment crop. But, there is little infrastructure to process it. This makes the production of hemp-based plastic 2-3 times more expensive.
A big chunk of this expense comes from separating bast fibres from the core of hemp plants. We need the fibres to make hemp-based plastic. We can adopt more efficient ways to do this and cut the hemp plastic bag production cost by 40%.
Eco-friendly shifts in regulations and policies like carbon tax can also work in favour of hemp plastics.
Traditional plastic takes an eternity to decompose. It’s a problem, but it means a great shelf life. Hemp plastic bags are great for single use. But, their biodegradability limits their reusability. We must look at this as one of the scenarios where the pros outweigh the cons in favour of hemp plastic bags.
Plus there is ongoing research to make these bags last longer.
Traditional plastic bags are ideal to use in wet environments. They are hydrophobic. Hemp plastic bags do not last as long. They lack the hydrophobic quality of traditional plastic bags. They can absorb moisture from the environment.
Science does offer potential solutions to this problem. Hemp plastic bags can be made more water-resistant. We can coat them with chitosan or blend them with biodegradable polyester.
Why should we believe in the potential of hemp plastic bags?
Hemp-based plastic gives us strong, lightweight, sustainable shopping bags. They pose no threat to our health or the environment.
These bags can’t yet beat traditional plastic bags in all spheres. But, it’s foolish to doubt their potential.
Traditional plastic bags have been around since the 1960s. The first plastic bag patent was issued by the Swedish company, Celloplast, in 1965. Since the use of these bags has only gone up.
The idea of hemp-based plastic has existed for decades. However, The University of Connecticut developed a functional version in 2010. The Hemp Plastic Company was founded in 2014. It wasn’t until 2018 that SANA packaging started launching hemp plastic bags for commercial use.
The push for sustainability and the plastic-free bags trend is new.
The world becomes more conscious of the climate and waste crisis every day. This has boosted the production of hemp plastic bags. Hemp plastic bags have emerged as viable contenders to take over the market in a very short time.
Science can solve most hurdles to making hemp plastic bags mainstream. It is fair to believe that, with more R&D, hemp plastic bags will be the future.
They are a glimmer of hope. They can lead us to a sustainable future with less toxic waste and lower health risks. Hemp plastic bags are worth our time, effort and research.