Hemp versus cotton
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Image by Flickr Creative Commons
In search of the most sustainable fabrics, we pit cotton against hemp
Mention hemp clothing and many of us think burlap hoodies, hackie sacks, dreadlocks and bongs. But, since this is 2009 not 1994, hemp can be so much more than that.
In Vancouver, a number of eco-friendly clothing lines, such as Red Jade and Mandula, have turned to hemp and other sustainable fabrics. The use of these fabrics allows designers to feel better not only about the impact of their products on the environment but the quality as well.
But is hemp really more sustainable? And can it be fashionable? Here’s a quick breakdown on hemp versus cotton...
Hemp vs Cotton: Water
Cotton needs a lot of water. In fact, to yield one pound of cotton, you’ll need to feed it about 1,400 gallons of water. That’s one thirsty plant. As resources get tighter, countries that rely on cotton face emerging problems. For example, cotton has led to desertification in areas of Uzbekistan, where it is a major export.
Hemp is strong, grows more quickly than almost any other plant and produces 250 percent more fibre than cotton when grown on the same land. It also requires about half the water cotton needs to grow. A field of hemp can be utilized twice a year and drops leaves constantly during the growing season, replenishing the soil of nutrients.
Point: hemp
Hemp vs Cotton: Pesticides, etc.
Cotton is a pesticide-intensive crop, using approximately 25 percent of the world's insecticides and 10 percent of the world’s pesticides. But the good news is a small number of farmers are moving toward organic cotton.
Hemp plants compete with and over-shade weeds, meaning they can’t thrive, so there’s little need for herbicides during growing. And most hemp is grown free of synthetic pesticides. Plus, hemp is a tremendous carbon trap and could be used to mitigate emissions from the very farms its being grown on.
Point: hemp and organic farmers
Hemp vs Cotton: Fashion
Hemp is increasingly being used by fashion designers seeking out new fabrics to work with that are durable and sustainable. And the results aren’t always what you’d expect. Here are just a few examples of hemp being used in place of wool, linen, jersey cotton, acrylic, canvas and silk.
From left: Adidas, Nomads, Grace & Cello
Cotton is one of the most commonly worn fabrics available on the market. And as consumers begin to understand the environmental impacts of traditional cotton production, organic cotton is increasingly in demand. And there are plenty of designers offering organic cotton options.
From left: Elroy, Thieves (2x)
Hemp vs Cotton: Colour
Hemp: Depending on the process used to remove the fibre from the stem, hemp may naturally be creamy white, brown, grey, black or green. This means variety without chemical dyes. Hemp can be dyed naturally or synthetically.
Cotton comes in white, off-white and cream… Boring! Cotton can also be dyed synthetically or naturally.
Point: hemp
Hemp vs Cotton: Wicking and breathability
Hemp has better anti-bacterial properties than any other natural fibre, making it extremely resistant to mold, mildew and rot. It’s great for outdoor activities and travel. It doesn’t hold odours. It is a breathable fabric that wicks moisture away from the body. It helps you stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Hemp versus Cotton
Learn more about hemp’s many uses
Watch this video about growing hemp versus cotton.
Watch this 1942 war-time propaganda film on the history and life cycle of hemp in North America.
Cotton is also breathable and doesn’t hold odours like synthetic fabrics do. And cotton also has a natural wicking system, but it does hold onto moisture and smells longer than one might wish.
Point: Almost a tie, but the point goes to hemp.
Hemp vs Cotton: Durability and comfort
Hemp is a strong natural fibre that softens with each wash. The fibres don’t break down but the fabric gets more comfortable.
Cotton also gets more comfortable with wear but breaks down after repeated washing.
Point: hemp
The winner?
While both fabrics clearly have advantages, cotton gets docked for its less sustainable chemical- and water-intensive production requirements. Easy to produce organically and effective in fighting climate change, hemp wins it.
It's too bad the author didn't take the article a little further and look at the processing impacts of hemp vs. cotton. I used to thing bamboo was a better option than organic cotton until I found out about the chemicals and energy it takes to make the fiber textile ready. I'll be looking for further information to be sure that is not the case with hemp too.
"Hearst sympathized with Harry J. Anslinger in his war against marijuana. Between 1936 and 1937, Hearst associated marijuana with hemp in his newspapers and published many of the stories that Anslinger fabricated.[11] Hearst played a major part in aiding the anti-marijuana movement, leading to its prohibition in the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937,[12] a law which also effectively outlawed hemp.
Jack Herer and others argue that Hearst's paper empire (he owned hundreds of acres of timber forests and a vast number of paper mills designed to manufacture paper from wood pulp) in the early 1930s was threatened by hemp, which: 1) like wood pulp, could also be used to manufacture paper[13] and 2) also had an advantage over wood pulp, because it could be regrown yearly as well.[13]"
Nice to know that they were looking out for our best interests. Sarcasm noted! Now for present day, do you honestly think that the cotton industry with their billions of dollars would truly want Hemp legalized? That's just like Big Oil wanting the car engine to transfer over from the 100+ year technology of the internal combustable engine to a technology that utilizes electro-magnetism, propane, hydrogen, or another form of energy. It's a sad world that we live in when the very few rich impose their beliefs on all only to pad their wallets. Image where we could be as a planet if we were allowed to do that which is right. Go on, keep using our food source as fuel, go on, keep tearing down the forests when there's an alternative means of paper, go on, keep utilizing 25% of the pesticides on the cotton fields along with the water required to grow the cotton. Why should they care? To them it is all about the bottom line!
Thank you I was about to say that cotton comes in varity of colors. The author didn't do their home work as cotton comes in greens, reds, and a different shades of brown.
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