Eco Promotional Products Material Guide: Hemp
5 July 2024
How Sustainable Is Hemp?
Hemp: The Responsible Choice
Hemp fabric has experienced a significant image makeover recently, as consumers and brands recognise its versatility, strength, and sustainability.
Hemp, the non-psychoactive cousin of marijuana, contains only trace amounts of cannabis's psychoactive component. This means the high you get from hemp fabric is a moral one, knowing you're wearing a more sustainable material. Despite its "boring" reputation, hemp's association with cannabis has tarnished its image over the years. Moreover, its historical link with grunge-style, baggy clothing hasn't helped its popularity.
However, hemp is redeeming its image, thanks to its undeniable potential. The environmental benefits of hemp cultivation, combined with its durable properties, allow it to be used in clothing and bags that are both stylish and comfortable.
What is Hemp?
Hemp has a long history as a fibre, used for thousands of years across the globe in clothing, ropes, and sails. The term “canvas” is believed to derive the same Latin route as that for “cannabis.” As a ‘bast’ fibre, hemp is derived from plant stems in a similar way to flax and jute. This fabric boasts natural advantages: it keeps you warm in winter, cool in summer, and provides UV protection.
Pure hemp fibre resembles linen in texture but can be blended with other plant-based fibres for additional softness and versatility. According to Textile Exchange, hemp fibres can be used to create a variety of fabrics, from jersey to denim to canvas.
Hemp's Sustainability
Hemp's nickname, "weed," reflects its rapid and dense growth, which outcompetes other plants and eliminates the need for herbicides. It also naturally reduces pests, minimizing pesticide use. Hemp replenishes the soil by returning 60-70% of the nutrients it takes and capturing carbon from the atmosphere.
Compared to cotton, hemp requires significantly less water—Textile Exchange notes that cotton uses about 50% more water per season than hemp. Including processing, cotton consumes over four times as much water as hemp. Additionally, hemp yields more fibre per hectare than cotton and can be integrated into crop rotations, enhancing soil health.
However, not all hemp is organic, and some farmers still use harmful fertilisers. It's essential to choose organic hemp and research brands thoroughly.
From Plant to Fabric
Hemp fabric is produced from the long fibres of the plant's stalk, separated through a process called "retting." These fibres are spun into thread and woven into fabric. While traditional methods from the early 1900s are being updated, modern production can involve environmentally intensive chemical processes. "Hemp viscose" often indicates harmful processing methods similar to regular viscose. Some companies use the less harmful Lyocell process, so it’s important to verify the production methods.
Transportation and dyeing also impact hemp's sustainability. Transporting bulky hemp to processing centres is energy-intensive, but localised supply chains can mitigate this. Dyeing techniques vary in their environmental impact.
Hemp and Promotional Products
Hemp fibre is highly durable so works well in products such as tote, drawstring or toiletry bags. The fibre takes dye really well and can be decorated by screen, transfer print or embroidery.
Hemp fibre is naturally UV resistant and breathable helping to reduce sweating for products such as baseball caps.
Conclusion
Hemp generally offers a more sustainable, lower-impact alternative for fabric production. Ensuring responsible manufacturing processes can further enhance its eco-friendliness, making hemp a compelling choice for sustainable promotional products
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Searching for a branded gift or promotional product? Finding it hard to discover something new, something different? This post will give you a different way of finding what you are looking for by explaining how the industry works and why endless browsing may not be the right approach - or you can watch the video here 1. Understanding how the promotional products industry works a. Promotional Products Distributors The web sites you see on Google are numerous – indeed there are 2,873 distributors in the UK, each selling branded merchandise and each with a website. The web sites vary from the aesthetically pleasing to the overcrowded. BUT you will see the same products on many different web sites – why? b. Promotional Products Manufacturers The number of actual manufacturers is relatively small – a few hundred – each making a single product line, whether that be bags, notebooks, pens or clothing. But the vast majority of the manufacturers will only sell to the Trade – you will find it difficult to access them without the distributor. c. Merchandise Wholesalers In addition to the manufacturers, there an even smaller number of ‘wholesalers’. These Trade only suppliers will stock a huge range of products from many different sources and brand the product with your logo. They may also allow electronic feeds of their products to the distributor websites. d. Images of products So, as you search the myriad of websites presented by Google, you are looking at distributors with potentially the same product lines. ‘But they appear different’ – I hear you say. Yes, that is because each distributor, ourselves included, chooses what we believe to be the best promotional products for a particular price and quality, and the best images. Three problems We may have chosen the wrong products We may have chosen the wrong image The products constantly change so it is really tough to keep the website updated But, remember all the distributors buy from the same sources and virtually all could supply ANY of the products you see….. 2. I don’t know what I am looking for but will know it when I see it! This is true for 95% plus of everyone searching. You do however have some basic parameters: Rough cost per item Estimate of the quantity An understanding of who it’s for An understanding of your brand How the product will be used TIMING This last one is the ‘real kicker’ – you may find what you want but not be able to get it in time – in our experience this happens so often. 3. Alternative approach – a guide So, what is the alternative approach? Have the distributor do the work for you – for FREE We spend every day looking at products, attending industry exhibitions and meeting with manufacturers and wholesalers. We know what is available and when. We can help you clarify a brief and then present you with ideas. We can even quote on a product you have seen elsewhere. See us as your guide. OUR PROMISE – no pushy sales people – happy to chat by email or WhatsApp if you prefer.
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How can you tell which items genuinely meet environmental and ethical standards? How do you know your promotional merchandise is eco? One of the best ways is by looking for trusted third-party certifications. These certifications offer transparency, set rigorous criteria, and help ensure that your branded merchandise aligns with your sustainability values. Here's a quick guide to five of the most respected certifications to look out for when choosing eco-conscious products. 1. FSC – Forest Stewardship Council What it means: The FSC certification ensures that wood, paper, and other forest-based materials come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Why it matters: If you're sourcing promotional items made from wood or paper—like notebooks, packaging, or wooden gifts—FSC certification guarantees that the materials are sustainably harvested. Look for: Products marked with the FSC logo; and check the certificate number on the FSC Certificate Search. Visit FSC official site 2. GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard What it means: GOTS is a globally recognized certification for organic textiles. It ensures that fabrics like cotton are grown without harmful chemicals and processed in socially and environmentally responsible ways. Why it matters: Many promotional products, like tote bags, T-shirts, and towels, are textile-based. GOTS certification means these items are organic, safe, and ethically produced from farm to finish. Look for: A GOTS-certified label and supplier. You can verify through the GOTS Public Database. Visit GOTS official site What it means: Fairtrade certification supports better prices, decent working conditions, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in developing countries. Why it matters: Products like cotton bags, chocolate bars, or coffee mugs with Fairtrade-certified contents ensure ethical treatment of producers and sustainable farming practices. Look for: The blue and green Fairtrade logo on packaging or labels. Visit Fairtrade Foundation (UK) 4. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 What it means: This certification verifies that textiles are tested for harmful substances and are safe for human use. Why it matters: Even "natural" fabrics can be treated with dyes or chemicals. OEKO-TEX® ensures that every component of the product—from threads to prints—is free from harmful levels of over 100 substances. Look for: The STANDARD 100 label and certification number for verification via the OEKO-TEX® Label Check. Visit OEKO-TEX® official site 5. Cradle to Cradle Certified® What it means: Cradle to Cradle certification assesses products for environmental and social performance across five categories: material health, circularity, clean air & climate protection, water & soil stewardship, and social fairness. Why it matters: This is especially valuable for innovative and multi-material products. It focuses on the entire lifecycle, not just sourcing or disposal. Look for: The Cradle to Cradle Certified® mark and specific level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum). Visit Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Why Certifications Matter for Your Brand Choosing certified eco-friendly promotional products isn’t just about ticking a box—it shows your customers, staff, and stakeholders that you care about ethical sourcing, sustainable production, and long-term environmental impact. These certifications offer peace of mind and add real value to your brand story. At Pavilion Earth, we’re proud to work with suppliers who prioritise sustainability and transparency. Want help finding the right certified products for your campaign? Get in touch with us — we’d love to help.
