Use of Sustainable, Organic-Derived Hemp Fabric 

Ellen Su 

Environmental Studies

Department of Fashion Business: LIM College 

Use of Sustainable, Organic-Derived Hemp Fabric

Professor K. Roberts

28 May 2025

Abstract 

The chosen topic is sustainable and eco-friendly hemp fabric. This paper cites an article from Eco Textile titled "Scientists turn hemp waste into fine yarns" (Glover, 2025). Hemp waste can be transformed into organic, natural fabric. All parts of the hemp plant can be used for functional purposes. Hemp is used in construction (Helmore, 2024), transformed into food products, made into CBD oil, woven into textiles, and is also a form of insulation in buildings. This mighty plant is the solution to the wildly destructive crude oil-produced man-made fabrics. Businesses are now shifting priorities to put the environment at the forefront of each decision. Hemp clothing soars to improve the cruel, overproducing, wasteful world and is impacting the fashion industry positively. Hemp is the sustainable alternative to dozens of unsustainable fabrics. 

Use of Sustainable, Organic-Derived Hemp Fabric 

The groundbreaking use of sustainable, organic-derived hemp fabric is on the verge of revolutionizing the entire fashion industry. Scientists in Barcelona created fine yarns out of hemp waste (Glover, 2025). The discards from hemp agricultural production can be transformed into fabric fibers. Hemp fabric is making a breakthrough in the market, appearing in the following brands: Patagonia, Toad&Co, Tentree, Prana, Jungmaven, Taylor Stitch, Astral, Hempsmith Clothing, Hemptique, Sweet Skins Hemp, Dash Hemp Santa Cruz, Alec Laughlin, MateTheLabel, and Marine Layer.

The environmental problem of unsustainable fabrics begins with the excessive water needed to grow cotton and the level of petroleum necessary to create synthetic fabric. “60% of our clothing is now made from synthetic fibers” (Horvath, 2024). Then, there is the absurd overconsumption of humans, who constantly buy from unethical apparel brands. “Up to 30% of the 100 billion items of clothing made each year are never worn” (Horvath, 2024). Earth needs a solution.

Hemp fabric will minimize synthetic fabric production. Organically derived from the discards of hemp cultivation and processing, which happens during the separation of fibers from the stalk, hemp is a renewable resource. Different parts of the hemp plant are used for contrasting purposes: “fiber is used for pulp, paper, and insulation; shives are used in construction; leaves are for tea; seed is for oil and supplements” (Glover, 2025). Later, the natural fibers are processed into textiles, creating biodegradable, breathable, durable, moisture-wicking, antibacterial, hypoallergenic, soft apparel that additionally offers UV protection from harmful sun rays. Hemp fabric softness increases with each wash. 

Hemp fabric’s natural resistance to mold, mildew, UV rays, moths, and tougher durability props it higher in the hierarchy of sustainable fabrics. It requires less water to grow as opposed to cotton, supporting sustainable initiatives (Glover, 2025). Hemp is easier to maintain due to its resistance to pests and insects. Cotton can be destroyed by pink bollworm, boll weevil, and spider mites (Glover, 2025). The cons of hemp fabric are its higher price point, starting around $50 per item and upwards of over $300, its texture may be stiffer than cotton at first wear, it easily becomes wrinkled, requires more care, needs to be carefully dyed, and is much less commonly available compared to cotton or polyester blends.

My green fashion idea helps with the reduction of limiting factors in a multitude of ways. As discussed in class, limiting factors include food availability, space, water, disease, and natural disasters, and are essential in preventing populations from growing indefinitely. Hemp is utilized for various applications, as an alternative to concrete (Helmore, 2024), a sustainable fabric, paper, bioplastics, and food products such as hemp seeds and CBD oil, essential to the anxious (Glover, 2025). Hemp lessens the production of single-use plastics and reduces the carbon footprint. 

Like a phoenix on the rise, hemp is poised in terms of eco-friendliness (Helmore, 2024), water efficiency, and combining functionality with style. Hemp is on the path to phasing out unsustainable materials. Apparel businesses must prioritize planet-conscious practices. American retailer Bloomingdale's carries Marine Layer, which sells hemp shirts starting at USD 50. Another large retailer, Nordstrom, carries Toad&Co. Toad&Co.’s Hemp Wide Leg Pant retails for USD 88. Hemp is a comparable organic alternative to cotton and will significantly reduce the amount of water used on cotton crops globally (Glover, 2025). Its competitive price points in fashion retail further the point that its quality and luxury are equal to, if not more special than, ruinously created fabric.

References 

Glover, S. (2025, 14 May). Scientists turn hemp waste into fine yarns. EcoTextile. 

https://www.ecotextile.com/2025051456764/news/materials-production-news/scientists-t

urn-hemp-waste-into-fine-yarns/

Horvath, K. (2024, 12 February). Most of our clothes are made from fossil fuels: here’s why that’s a problem. Public Interest Network. 

https://pirg.org/articles/most-of-our-clothes-are-made-from-fossil-fuels-heres-why-thats-a-problem/#:~:text=Polyester%2C%20which%20is%20a%20cheaper,as%20the%20primary%20raw%20material.

Helmore, E. (2024, 15 February). It’s almost carbon negative: how hemp became a surprise building material. The Guardian. 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/15/its-almost-carbon-negative-how-hemp-became-a-surprise-building-material

Image Source: Celeste Hemp Cami, Camila Maxi Dress, Hemp Cotton Tank on Marine Layer. (2025). Marine Layer. https://www.marinelayer.com/collections/hemp-fabric-feature?srsltid=AfmBOooJsesdmO2PJ6t7djMRQT1PVEuN6hV63fuQv08g_FWcdG3xz0Dd