Why don't we use hemp paper?

Question

I throw away piles of junkmail every month and feel so bad that trees are being used in such a wasteful way. It's cheap and renewable so why don't we use it?

Answer 1

Actually there is a renewed and growing interest in manufacturing hemp paper. The two links below provided resources to getting hemp based stationary and other paper products that are "tree free".

A small independent publishing house we sometimes work with is publishing a collection of environmental poems and essays this fall -- using hemp paper and recycled materials entirely!

As for the junk mail, you can now notify most post offices that you no longer went this material sent to your residence -- much like the laws regarding the "Do Not Call" listings telemarketers have to comply with.

Answer 2

Until hemp oil can be patented, it will be suppressed. Any medicine derived from a natural substance is un-patentable, therefore the profit margin is limited. It's not that it can't be sold at a profit; but that nobody can have a monopoly or full control of it, since it can't be patented. Certainly some companies are willing to produce these medicines, but they can't afford countless expensive double-blind studies to prove their efficacy, because they won't be able to patent the stuff..... [I have my doubts that hemp oil is much use in curing cancer, but the principle remains: natural substances cannot be patented, and so the profits are limited. I need a Capitalist to find a way to get past this difficulty so we can know more about natural remedies.

Answer 3

Because the paper milling industry can get recycled paper very cheaply, I asked a manager of a paper mill this same question yesterday.

The cost incentives of using recycled paper has made it a lot better option than using new pulp or anything else. Most of the paper many companies produce is now from recycled sources. This particular company presently uses 75% recycled to 25% new pulp. There are new processes steam and pressure which takes ink out of the paper and others that help to whiten the paper without using bleaches.

He assured me that the incentive to use recycled paper is that 'Companies can not afford to not use recycled paper products, it generates far larger profits'

The argument against using recycled paper is that the fibers are shortened with each recycling process, I am assured that this is irrelevant as all paper, including the top of the range papers, need short fibers for tensile strength. I asked if there was a limited amount of number of times recycled paper could be reused, again the answer was definitely no. The amount of pulp can be much further reduced and will be over time as technology and company investment increases.

The real question for me from the information above is why are you still accepting Junk mail? Write to the Royal Mail Preference service below and have it stopped.

Answer 4

Hemp was used a lot by George Washington era. Rope use to be made of hemp. Have you ever heard the phrase, "Why don't you go smoke some rope?" Hang on a second and you'll know why. As a plant is almost looks like Marijuana and with an untrained eye you would think it was just that, too. Only experts know the difference. They may be thinking of re-legalizing it as it was banned in the United States in the early fifties due to it's effects after being inhaled. Same as Marijuana accept it's lower in the chemical THC. If they do grow it then it would have to be fenced in, guarded day and night under the strictest of conditions to prevent it's theft. By the way the Declaration Of Independence was written on Hemp paper.

Answer 5

Because the permits required to grow hemp legally in North America are too expensive. Until the marijuana stigma goes away there will be more money in growing pot than in growing hemp. Blame the US govt for the criminalization of a beneficial crop. They have made it more profitable to grow crops for drugs and fuel than for food and textiles.

Answer 6

because of synthetic fiber.

before 1920 America and Mexico were world producers of hemp which was used for a great range of products ,

including Jeans ,with the invention of synthetic fiber ,derived from oil products ,the War on Hemp was started that took marijuana down with it ,

irrespective of all the good uses for the hemp plant,including building material ,ethanol fuel,paper,an agent that recovers tired and compacted soils that releases nitrogen ,clothing ,bags ,ropes ,medicines ,and many more, consistent appeals for its return and legalization
have come up against a brick wall ,from the politicians who dance for the oil barons.

This competitor is not welcome in the world of synthetics.And the war on Hemp has been as relentless as it has been unreasonable.

Answer 7

Because the powers that be have decided that hemp is far too controversial a crop to be growing in bulk.
A "think of the children!!!!111eleventyone" form of approach

Answer 8

Because that would be paper that is one step away from using an etcherscetch, which would be a stepping stone for an electronic notebook, which is next to a computer, which is one step away from a career choice of Bill Gates, which is one step away from ruling the world. Just say no

Answer 9

The trees used to make all of that paper are grown as a crop and like all crops they are renewable. So, what's the difference?

Answer 10

Because growing hemp is illegal. I agree that is silly, because marijuana is no more dangerous than tobacco which is legal, but that is the way it is.