We have to cut right to the chase with this one: Hemp has huge potential as a sustainable material, its only limit is the current supply chain and preconceived notions about the plant.
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Anything from shirts to bioplastics can be made from hemp, and that includes sustainable building materials. Hemp can be formed into blocks or even poured as 'hempcrete'. And its use in construction isn't just a possibility: it's already happening. In larger buildings (like the currently underway 84 Harrington in Cape Town), a traditional frame is still needed to hold the building's weight, but hemp can be used to construct walls, ceilings, paneling, and more. Hemp blocks can sequester around 13 pounds of carbon each, so in some contexts, the building can actually go carbon negative. The biggest benefit to hemp construction may be its carbon capabilities, but it doesn't stop there. Construction can be completed more quickly with easy-to-setup blocks, less insulation can be used with the semi-porous material, all while being resistant to fire and mold.
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However, the currently limited supply chain and widely negative view on hemp keep the green building material from its potential. Though consumers and contractors are increasingly understanding more about hemp, legal issues in certain regions also hinder growing/processing/shipping. The negative feedback loop only continues as limited supply means higher prices in available areas (between 30 and 40% more than traditional building materials), pushing out higher adoption in sustainable construction projects.
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Read more on hemp:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/business/hemp-construction-buildings.html
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Graphic shows rows of hemp blocks. The factoid reads: "Hemp blocks sequester around 13 pounds of carbon each, allowing them to become carbon negative."
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91 w
Hemp is such a game changer
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92 w
Hemp is such an inspiring material!
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92 w
The use of hemp should be scaled up.
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92 w
@tabitha_kimani it really should! It's a complex tug-and-pull, but I hope more progress is made in hemp's supply chain to allow for wider adoption