To the mountaineers: stop polluting, switch to hemp bioplastics
When you hear “plastic pollution” what do you imagine?
Rubbish beaches, polluted oceans to the brim, marine animals dying, streets of India’s third-tier cities, right?
Well, I recommend you add some iceberg hats to that list. Because our plastic waste has reached the top of the mountains. And it’s all thanks to mountain lovers
Millions of kilograms of plastic are lost to the environment every year. Where does all this go?
Among other places, location very close to home…
The plastic path to the top of Mount Everest
From the Mariana Trench (the deepest point on Earth) to the summit of Mount Everest (the highest point on Earth) plastic is everywhere. We have managed to pollute the entire planet with our waste.
Seems unreal? Do not believe me?
Here are some hard facts collected from newspapers And Surveys, and testify to Scientists, to back up my prompts:
Scientists have discovered traces of plastic fibers in snow samples taken from Mount Everest. This snow was collected near the summit called “The Terrace”.
Microplastics have also been found at 11 other sites on Everest, where snow samples have been collected. The elevation was between 5,300 and 8,440 meters.
To date, the highest concentrations of microplastics have been detected around base camp. This is where campers spend most of their time.
The most contaminated snow samples contained 119 particles per liter of water. The average was 30 microplastic particles per liter.
Scientists speculate that the origin of this plastic fiber is the clothing, tents, and ropes used by mountain climbers.
Even remote areas of the Swiss Alps and the French Pyrenees are vulnerable to plastic waste. Reports indicate that the particles could have arrived here through air currents.
According to a survey, the most common types of waste that high-altitude mountain climbers encounter is hard and soft plastic. This mainly includes plastic food packaging, first aid kits, mountaineering equipment, plastic bottles, and plastic bags.
The same study, conducted in 74 countries, revealed that the issue of persuasion of plastic waste affects mountainous regions all over the world. Two-thirds of mountaineers discover trash almost every time they visit a mountain. India is no exception.
The result: plastic usually contains toxic additives and carries harmful microbes. This harms the wildlife that you think is food. Humans also inhale plastics through the air and consume them through food and water. Not to mention that the scenic beauty of the pristine, flawless mountain regions, was completely destroyed.
What is it hemp plastic And how can it help?
Well, we can’t get rid of plastic with the touch of our fingers. What can we do?
We can solve the most famous problem with plastic – sticking. In other words, we can use plastic that disintegrates after getting rid of it. The word you are looking for is “bioplastic”.
While bioplastics can be made from several organic ingredients, I am a proponent of hemp. Hemp plastic is made from hemp cellulose. The hemp plant contains 65-70% of cellulose which is extracted and combined with other ingredients to make hemp plastic. While most bioplastics are a mixture of organic and synthetic fibres, some are 100% organic. They are usually made from vegetable cellulose, such as waste starch from corn and potatoes. Hemp plastic is one such bioplastic.
Why am I so biased towards hemp plastic? These are my reasons:
Biodegradable: 100% natural hemp the basic. Hemp plastic degrades within 3-6 months of being discarded. It can also be recycled indefinitely. It is harmless to wildlife even if ingested, because hemp plastic is non-toxic.
Agricultural benefits: Hemp grows in 3-5 months, uses little water, grows through all seasons, gives high yield, uses little energy, nourishes the soil with nutrients, and doesn’t need pesticides or herbicides. . No other organic crop has this many benefits.
Durability: Due to the enormous strength of hemp fibers, the plastic produced from hemp is just as strong. It is 2.5 times stronger and 5 times stiffer than polypropylene. It is also lightweight due to the porous nature of hemp.
Heat resistance: Hemp plastic is known for its dimensional stability along with heat and UV resistant properties. Even some special types of hemp plastic are flame retardant.
Carbon negative: Cannabis absorbs more carbon dioxide than it generates during its life cycle. It helps reduce the greenhouse effect because it does not release any carbon dioxide as it decomposes.
Economic advantages: Since it is grown in the mountainous regions of developing countries such as India, hemp production helps poverty-stricken communities maintain their livelihoods. It was the main driving force behind The Cannabis Foundation.
In other words, hemp is sustainable from its inception until you decompose it. It restores the environment in a way that other natural fibers cannot.
Hemp plastic is actively used in building materials and automobile manufacturing paper Manufacturing, pet toys, and aircraft manufacturing. It is used in the manufacture of everything from cellophane to rayon.
Cool ways mountaineers can use bioplastics from hemp to stop pollution
From 3,600 visitors in 1979 to more than 45,000 in 2016, the number of climbers and visiting climbers is only increasing on Mount Everest. You don’t need to refer to any other numbers to imagine how much plastic waste each of them generates.
Vigilance and awareness are no longer enough. Even with good intentions and a careful mindset, mountaineers can spread plastic debris into the mountains. Take the case of microplastic pollution. It is less than 5mm in size and therefore too small to pick up. So mountain cleaning isn’t an option either.
Whether it’s food containers, mountaineering gear, or even tents and clothing – everything should be made from sustainable materials. Now that we know about bioplastics, let’s find out some of the ways they can be used in the mountains.
Packaging Materials – Mountaineers can do some research on which brands to use Hemp plastic containers. While purchasing products for a mountaineering expedition, they can specifically order or choose these eco-friendly brands. This could mean some much-needed support for such companies as well as less damage to the environment.
Bags – Instead of single-use plastic bags, order them hemp bags Made with our organic hemp fibers. Can be used multiple times. And if you’re looking for something disposable, hemp plastic bags have your back.
Containers – Many companies make plastic hemp containers, similar to Tupperware. Take your food and other perishable items in such boxes.
Bottles – Mountaineers can opt for sturdy hemp plastic bottles instead of the flimsy traditional plastic bottles. It can be reused indefinitely and leaves no toxic traces behind when disposed of.
Straws – If you use a pipette to drink liquids in the hills, take some plastic hemp pipettes. A metal straw is also a good idea. Say no to single-use plastic straws.
shoes and stockings Hemp makes our toughest hiking boots and warmer socks. Just google it. or Try our products.
Clothing – Although hemp plastic is not used in the manufacture of clothing, hemp fibers are used. You can wear more hemp clothes in your daily life as well as on your travels. try hemp coat On your next visit to the mountains. It will keep you warm and last longer than all you have on other clothes.
Ropes – Since particles from mountaineering ropes are a big factor in plastic pollution, try using hemp instead. We have some You can Buy And Put to the test.
Discover every single hemp plastic product we offer here.
Again, awareness and awareness are not enough. All mountain climbers and mountain visitors need to take active steps and consciously purchase sustainable materials such as hemp plastic.
The sacredness of Mount Everest depends on it. As does the next generation who has not yet seen the beauty of this world.
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