How to Green: Hemp

By Lexi Green
October 23, 2009

You have been inundated with the terms “green” and “sustainable” lately; from the grocery store, to your favorite boutiques, to your most coveted beauty products, even Fido seems to be going down the sustainable doggy path. All this talk of “going green” can be hard to sort out. What do all of those green buzz words mean exactly? Recycled, natural, organic, vegan, and fair-trade just cover the tip of the sustainable iceberg. How do you know you’re buying the right products? Or even just looking at the right products?

We’re with you. We know it can be a lot to take in and, well, we’re here to help. Each (day, week, etc.), The Inside Source will be filling you in on the most eco-friendly products on eBay and telling you exactly why they are so good for the earth. No gimmicks, no “green-washing,” just pure and simple earth-loving shopping.

Today, we are searching for great hemp products. We know just saying the word hemp can conjure up images of lazy surfer-dudes or silly earth-mammas burning a little too much incense. But, we promise that hemp, a fantastically-sustainable fiber, can lead to some pretty stylish products like clothing, jewelry and accessories, shoes, furniture, bio-degrable plastics, paper, cosmetics and much more.

Hemp grows very quickly and densely and it renews the soil with each growth cycle. Due to the way hemp grows and its natural resistances, the need for artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides is eliminated. Hemp needs very little water to grow.

Additionally, hemp is cost-effective to farm and textiles made from hemp fiber are incredibly strong, absorbent, and easily blended with other fibers such as silk and cotton.

Nothing is wasted in the production process; every part of the plant can be made into something useful. Eco-friendly, you ask? Why yes, hemp is. Here are our favorite hemp products from eBay’s database:

- We told you that hemp wasn’t only for the incense-burning set. This rock n’ roll-inspired scarf defies all hippy inclinations.

- These sexy hemp heels, available in blue, black and white, are the perfect compliment to any girl’s favorite outfit.

- Can’t forget the guys. Complete your favorite look with these sneakers from Nike’s eco-friendly Consider Design line.

- Remember to take Fido with you on your eco-friendly journey. Both he and the planet will love this adjustable hemp collar.

- Protect your skin with Burt’s Bees chemical-free sunscreen with added hemp seed oil.

- Keep your hair healthy and shiny with Alterna’s Hemp With Organics Color Hold Shine Shampoo and Conditioner.

- For you DIYers and Francophiles at heart, this French-inspired vintage fabric is great for all of those pillow, cushion, table runner, and other projects you have been storing up.

Lexi Green is a Brooklyn-based design, fashion, and shopping writer. She is currently a Master's Degree candidate at Pratt Institutes's environmental sustainability program.

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