Hemp-based paper is better than wood-based paper in many ways, you may be asking yourself why this is important or why you should even care what type of paper you are using. I would say the number one reason that it is important to care about the type of paper you are using is the environmental crisis we are currently in.
Hemp-based paper is a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional wood-based paper. It is made from the fibers of the hemp plant, which is a fast-growing crop that can be grown in a variety of climates. Hemp can be harvested up to 4 times a year, whereas trees take a lot longer to renew.
Why on Earth are we using wood to make paper anyway? Wood is a very hard material and takes a lot of chemicals and processing to create one piece of paper, and that’s for writing on, imagine the process for making toilet paper. This makes no sense at all.
Paper can be made from just about any plant fiber, but when it comes to quality and consistent production, hemp is the best contender to re-replace the wood paper we have grown accustomed to using.
Why do I say “re-replace”? Well at one time, hemp was the main type of paper worldwide believe it or not. Currency, books, documents, letters, packages, and more were all made from hemp, not wood-based paper.
It was in 1843 that Saxon Friedrich Gottlob Keller invented a wood-grinding machine that produced ground wood pulp suitable for paper-making. After that point in history, trees have been clear-cut for making not only lumber for our homes, but also much of the paper products we consume daily.
Hemp can replace many other products produced by wood as well, re-introducing hemp paper alone would stop a lot of the tree harvesting. With a rate of 80,000 to 160,000, trees cut daily, and the majority being used for paper, I would say this requires attention.
You can shop for quality hemp-based paper shopping with Hemp Traders, they produce fine quality hemp products, from their own hemp grown just a few miles from their factory.
Exploring The Benefits of Hemp-Based Paper
Hemp-based paper has several benefits that we will explore here. Switching to this type of paper has the potential of opening up several new jobs, providing more sustainable and better quality paper for our daily uses.
As for the hemp to produce paper products there is nothing hemp cannot make better than wood-based products. Every product is of higher quality and will last through time if that is the desired outcome, or can be easily recycled.
You can only recycle wood-based paper up to 3 times before the pulp is rendered useless. Hemp-based paper can be recycled up to 7-8 times, which speaks volumes alone. With only 23 paper mills equipped to handle processing hemp fibers, we need to push for an increase to all paper mills being able to process hemp, it only makes sense.
With the laws changing, we can now have hemp growing from coast to coast, and we would be fools not to. We, the US, could become the leader in sequestering carbon. This would help alleviate the greenhouse effect and improve air and soil health.
Hemp paper has several advantages over wood-based paper, including:
It is more durable: Hemp fibers are longer and stronger than wood fibers, which results in a more durable paper. Hemp paper is less likely to tear, wrinkle, or yellow.
It is more environmentally friendly: Hemp is a renewable resource that can be grown without using pesticides or herbicides. Hemp also requires less water than trees. Producing hemp paper produces less greenhouse gas emissions and pollution than producing wood-based paper. The wood-based paper involves some really nasty chemicals and a whole lot of water that cannot be recycled for any type of use.
It is more versatile: Hemp paper can be used for a wider range of applications than wood-based paper. It is suitable for printing, writing, packaging, and even making currency.
Here are some specific examples of why hemp-based paper is better to use than wood-based paper:
Hemp paper is more resistant to mold and mildew: This makes it ideal for use in humid environments, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Hemp paper is more breathable, making it a good choice for products such as tea bags and cigarette paper.
Hemp paper is more absorbent: This makes it ideal for use in products such as paper towels and diapers.
Hemp paper is more recyclable: Hemp paper can be recycled up to seven times, while wood-based paper can only be recycled three to five times.
Overall, hemp-based paper is a better choice than wood-based paper because it is more durable, environmentally friendly, versatile, and recyclable. Not to mention so very much more renewable.
You Can Buy Quality Hemp Paper on Amazon
Green Field Paper Company offers several styles of Hemp Paper. You can choose from printer paper, sketch/drawing, or watercolor, depending on your needs.
I choose hemp paper for my artwork as the paper is acid-free and for artists, that is an essential feature. The acid in wood paper makes the paper more brittle and requires special conditions for preservation. Thus proving that hemp paper is far superior for creating lasting documents or artwork.
Green Field White Hemp Computer Paper – 60 lb (8.5 x 11 inch) 200 Sheets Blank Tree Free Multipurpose Printer, Copier Ream Paper for Writing, Art, Cards, Fliers & Letters On sale -28% off $19.99 List Price: $27.95 List Price: $27.95
Green Field Hemp Sketch Paper – 8.5 x 11 in (35 Sheets) Premium Sustainable Tree Free Blank Archival Art Paper for Drawing, Painting & Writing, for Adults and Kids, (60 lb, 90 GSM) On sale -20% $10.36 Typical price: $12.95
Green Field Hemp Watercolor Paper – 8.5 x 11 in (12 Sheets) Premium Sustainable Tree Free Blank Archival Art Paper for Drawing, Painting & Writing, for Adults and Kids, (110 lb, 300 GSM) On sale -20% $11.16 ($0.93 per Count) List Price: $13.95
Green Field Hemp Drawing Paper – 8.5 x 11 in (20 Sheets) Premium Sustainable Tree Free Blank Archival Art Paper for Sketch, Painting & Writing for Adults and Kids (70 lb, 180 GSM) On sale -20% off $11.16 ($0.56 per Count) List Price: $13.95
Some More Great benefits of hemp-based paper
It is softer and more comfortable to the touch.
It is more resistant to fading and discoloration.
It has a higher tear strength.
It is more resistant to pests and insects.
It is more biodegradable.
Hemp-based paper is a superior choice to wood-based paper in terms of durability, environmental friendliness, versatility, and recyclability.
It also has numerous other advantages, such as being softer, more comfortable to the touch, and more resistant to fading and discoloration. As the world becomes more aware of the importance of sustainability, hemp-based paper is likely to become increasingly popular.
With an increase in popularity, we will also see a price decrease. All of this works hand in hand, demand brings about more manufacturers. More manufacturers bring on competition, competition brings price decreases as consumers seek out the cheapest price for the best quality products.
How hemp paper is made
The hemp papermaking process is similar to the process of making paper from wood pulp. However, there are a few key differences.
1. Harvesting and processing the hemp
Hemp is typically harvested in the fall when the stalks are mature. The stalks are then dried and retted, a process that removes the outer bark and loosens the fibers.
2. Pulping the hemp
Once the hemp has been retted, it is pulped to separate the fibers. This can be done mechanically or chemically. Mechanical pulping is more environmentally friendly, but it produces a weaker paper. Chemical pulping produces a stronger paper, but it also generates more waste.
3. Beating the pulp
Once the hemp has been pulped, it is beaten to separate the fibers further and make the pulp more uniform. This is done by rotating paddles in the pulp slurry.
4. Adding additives
Various additives can be added to the pulp slurry to improve the quality of the paper. These additives may include sizing agents, fillers, and dyes.
5. Forming the paper
The pulp slurry is poured onto a wire mesh screen, where the water drains away. The remaining fibers form a sheet of paper.
6. Pressing and drying the paper
The wet paper is pressed to remove excess water and then dried. This can be done by air drying or by using a heated dryer.
7. Finishing the paper
Once the paper is dry, it may be finished with additional processes such as sizing, calendering, and coating. Sizing helps to make the paper more water-resistant, calendering makes the paper smoother, and coating gives the paper a desired finish
Benefits of hemp paper
Hemp paper has several benefits over traditional paper made from trees. Hemp paper is:
Stronger and more durable
More tear-resistant
More resistant to mold and mildew
More breathable
More environmentally friendly
More sustainable
Applications of hemp paper
Hemp paper can be used for a variety of applications, including but not limited to:
Printing and writing paper
Packaging paper
Tissue paper
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Currency paper
Banknotes
Cigarette paper
Bibles
Maps
Archival documents
Hemp paper is also becoming increasingly popular for use in specialty products such as business cards, wedding invitations, and greeting cards.
Artists prefer hemp paper to wood as it is naturally acid-free, this is one of the many factors that makes the quality of hemp paper soar above wood-based paper. The acid in the wood-based paper makes it a weaker final product.
Hemp-Based Paper Really Is Better Than Wood-Based Paper
With everything I have learned about hemp-based paper versus wood-based paper, I must say that hemp-based paper is much better in many ways. It is more economically and environmentally viable in the long run.
Paper was once widely only made from hemp, to hear that there are not enough factories or knowledge to process hemp for making paper is not a very good argument. One would think that if it was successfully accomplished over 100 years ago, hemp-based paper-making should be a simple fix in modern times.
We need to start shouting louder until our pleas are heard, we have to push for these changes and push hard. We are fighting 50+ years of lies and corruption surrounding the hemp and marijuana plants. They are basically harmless plants that do worlds of good and should be used in our everyday lives.
Changing the way people view Hemp and Marijuana has been quite the struggle over the past 10+ years. Upon legalization of the two plants, we saw more people admit to smoking marijuana than ever expected, and the vast economic groups that partake in infamous ‘smoke circles’ are what will bring our society back together as a whole.
Once shunned due to fear, competition, and politics, hemp is now making an educational comeback. With those shunned days fading like a bad paint job in the sun, now is the time for Hemp’s strong come-back. It will be glorious to see hemp save the day after being shunned for decades.
The more we band together and support the growth and use of hemp and marijuana, the quicker our planet will heal. I am not saying that every single person needs to use CBD or THC by any means. What I am saying is to support the growth and use of these plants for a brighter future.
As always, thank you for reading my review. Please feel free to join the conversation by leaving your thoughts, experiences, or questions below in the comments.
Welcome to the Industrial Hemp Revolution!
Stacie Fortson, GGWHSF
