Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species. Hemp differs from psychoactive cannabis varieties as it contains low levels of the intoxicating cannabinoid Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Since hemp was one of the first plants to be used for fiber 10,000 years ago, it has a long history of industrial use.
Hemp is not only an extremely versatile raw material, but the environmental benefits of hemp are extensive.
Here are 20 benefits of hemp, based on scientific evidence.
1. Hemp absorbs more CO2 than any other plant
Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen (O2) into the air, allowing us to breathe. Without trees, we would not be here.
Hemp has been proven to absorb more CO2 per hectare than any other known forest or crop plant, making it ideal for meeting the ever-growing need to reduce CO2 emissions in the atmosphere. When combined with the fact that hemp can grow over 13 feet in just 100 days, hemp is clearly one of the fastest tools for converting CO2 into biomass available.
In addition, hemp stores carbon for the entire lifespan of the plant, i.e., products made from hemp store carbon. This storage neither poses a risk to human health nor diminishes the quality of hemp-based products.
2. Hemp aids in air purification
Hemp is an important plant in the fight against human-caused climate change. Hemp contributes to air purification as hemp plants reduce the CO2 in the air. Clean air is associated with a lower mortality rate and fewer respiratory diseases, as well as a reduction in other health conditions.
More and more regions around large cities are starting to grow hemp to reduce smog and air pollution, which are significant problems for major cities around the world. Hemp is an optimal plant for cultivation in cities where space is limited and the priority is to absorb as much CO2 as possible from each plant as quickly as possible.
3. For every ton of hemp produced, 63 tons of carbon are removed.
A typical passenger car emits about 4.6 tons of carbon dioxide annually. A car can drive for about 13 years and still break even on emissions with the absorption from one ton of hemp.
The annual carbon footprint of an average EU citizen is about 10.5 tons of CO2. Therefore, one ton of hemp can neutralize the carbon footprint of an EU citizen for six years.
To absorb the equivalent 64 tons of CO2 from one ton of hemp, 2,860 mature trees would be required.
4. Hemp absorbs more CO2 than trees
Trees take several decades to fully grow, while hemp grows quickly. In addition, many applications of trees can be replaced by hemp (e.g., composites, paper, and fuel).
In construction, hempcrete - a concrete-like building material - is not only more environmentally friendly than conventional concrete, but also absorbs more CO2 over time, which makes the hempcrete even stronger.
By utilizing what nature has given us, hemp can replace traditional sources of industrial materials, and this can help save our forests, reduce damage to ecosystems, and minimize deforestation of rainforests in South America, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
5. Hemp products are recyclable, reusable, and 100% biodegradable.
Unlike traditional plastics, plastic made from hemp does not cause permanent pollution, as it can naturally decompose in a relatively short period of time. In the right environment, hemp plastic only takes three to six months to fully decompose.
Plastics from crude oil can take up to 1,000 years to naturally decompose. During this time, plastics can end up in the mouths of animals and other places where they do not belong.
6. Hemp has a large taproot that absorbs the needed water and nutrients.
The taproot (large dominant root) of hemp plants can penetrate deep into the soil to absorb the needed water and nutrients. Hemp also recaptures nutrients that would be leached below the root zone and could enter the groundwater. This deep penetration is important as it can help eliminate groundwater pollution.
By absorbing water and nutrients from deep in the soil, the surface soil does not dry out as easily due to the plant's nutrient demands. This benefits the overall biodiversity as smaller plants with smaller roots do not suffer from water scarcity due to the demands of the hemp plants.
7. Hemp improves soil quality for future crops
Hemp has deep roots that open up the soil and improve the soil quality (physical condition and suitability) for future crops.
In a way, hemp acts as a fertilizer for subsequent plantings. With low maintenance needs, hemp is more attractive to farmers.
Hemp can be used to improve the soil in your garden if you have hard and unsuitable soil. Over time, growing hemp will improve the health of your soil.
8. Hemp is naturally pest-resistant
Hemp requires no pesticides. Since no chemicals from pesticides are ingested by the human body, serious health problems due to pesticide exposure are minimized.
Moreover, the pest resistance of hemp allows for natural cultivation without significant yield losses. This type of cultivation is much healthier for the soil and overall biodiversity. Additionally, the groundwater is not exposed to toxic chemicals.
9. Hemp supports global sustainable agriculture
In many countries, there are significant problems in agriculture and environmental protection. For example, monoculture - the practice of growing a single crop plant - has negative impacts on biodiversity and soil quality. This type of agriculture often causes nutrient deficiencies in plants, leading to many problems. Hemp can minimize these issues by acting as an "intercrop."
Countries like Australia and France reward farmers with CO2 certificates for growing hemp, which is evidence that official government agencies recognize the benefits of hemp for the environment. These credibility incentives also financially benefit farmers.
One advantage of hemp is that it can be grown in various climate zones and on different soils, meaning it can be easily cultivated in remote areas with fewer agricultural resources.
10. Hemp absorbs heavy metals and other toxins
Soils are often contaminated with toxic materials. Hemp helps absorb these toxic materials from the soil, thereby reducing their presence in the soil over time. Note that these toxic materials do not remain in the hemp plant and are fully resolved, so there is no harm to humans through the use of or consumption of end products made from hemp.
Formula Swiss aims to ensure that we cultivate hemp products of the highest possible quality while reducing environmental impact.
11. Our hemp is grown in greenhouses and in the field in Switzerland.
We focus on reducing the amount of energy required to produce our products. Since our greenhouses are located locally in Switzerland, we can precisely control our production and ensure that we maintain a consistently high quality standard of production for our customers.
12. No fertilizers and no pesticides
Since we do not use chemicals in our facilities, our products themselves are also free from chemicals. This makes our products a healthier alternative to mass-produced hemp products that use chemicals in their cultivation.
13. No air conditioning
By foregoing air conditioning, we significantly reduce energy consumption. According to our research, it is simply not necessary to use air conditioning in greenhouses to cultivate a quality product.
14. No artificial light
We do not use artificial light outdoors or in our greenhouse. Instead, we only use artificial light indoors to produce new strains, CBD buds, or medical cannabis.
15. 100% organic seed
We source only the very best organic seed from trusted Swiss suppliers or organic seed with extensive documentation of its origin. This way, we can ensure that every step from the seed to the final product is 100% organic.
16. Carefully cured and dried without heating
By not drying our hemp plants with heating systems, we save a lot of energy and allow the plants a natural drying process. Without heating, we also keep the CO2 footprint as low as possible.
17. Produced according to the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
We are licensed by GMP to prove that we do everything necessary to ensure the best quality of our products and that we are trustworthy in this regard.
18. Packaged in boxes made of sustainably sourced RSO-certified wood
Our packaging materials are sourced from Swiss suppliers who exclusively use sustainable wood products. We care about the environment, and we protect it as much as possible.
19. Tested in independent laboratories
We test all our product batches internally and verify our results with samples in external laboratories in Switzerland and the EU. This rigorous testing process ensures that no toxic or harmful materials are contained in the products we sell.
20. Licensed in Switzerland and Europe
All our products are registered in Switzerland and the EU to ensure they meet all necessary legal requirements, allowing them to be shipped to our customers quickly and without customs issues.
Conclusion
The rising demand for industrial hemp in the food, personal care, textile, and other industries is expected to increase in the coming years, and for good reason.
The benefits of hemp for the environment are numerous. The cultivation of hemp helps to reduce our ecological footprint, improve soil health for future crops, and purify our air by removing CO2. At the same time, products derived from hemp can also be recycled and are 100% biodegradable.
Hemp is and will be a driving force for sustainable agriculture around the world.
We are very proud of the hemp products we produce, and we are proud to consistently meet and exceed legal guidelines to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality products on the market.