Levi Strauss & Co. has been one of the first companies to jump on the bandwagon producing sustainable clothing, now that Hemp is becoming legal in many places around the world. Its primary use was to get high; however, they have discovered that it has far more qualities.

You can now wear your pants and smoke it – Only joking. On a serious note, they teamed up with another company called Outerknown label. Remember Kelly Slater, Pro Surfer Deluxe, well he started that one. The product was a denin suite, jacket, and jeans made from something that feels like pure cotton, yet it was a blend 31% hemp and a cotton balance. Cheaper than pure cotton and way cooler.

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The reason this is so cool is that it is Cannabis and the primary instigator to the highness being a chemical called THC is that it uses a lot less water. Save Water, Save the planet, also fewer chemicals so once again good news.

The downside to Hemp is it is more difficult to use than cotton, so they make use of different parts of the plant. For instance, from the puffy bud of the cotton plant, they produce the shirt fiber and the Hemp being the trunk of the plants. The end product is a coarser fiber, more prolonged, and stiffer.

This research is still in the beginning stages; however, Mr. Dillinger, who represents Levi, has been heard saying that the project will be ongoing. They intend to make this part of Levis portfolio rather than a few trendy products.

Levi is finding ways to improve on the product. The target is to reach half Hemp, half cotton balance for the clothing and other products 100%. They want to get Hemp to feel and act like cotton at the end of the day.

Talking about how this benefits Mother Earth – cotton uses a lot of fresh water to produce. They had the good luck of the ongoing research in Europe, nearly three years in already, which sped up the research level by a tremendous amount.

Get this, if successful, and we could use 100% hemp instead of cotton, the difference will be mind shattering. The fiber cultivation alone will save 1126L. That’s taking out 2/3rd of water waste, that’s Awesome.

Mr. Dillinger said that there is still years of research left before achieving this goal. Cotton would never be entirely replaced. It is also a possibility that Hemp will be just one of several options going forward.

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The goal is that we won’t even notice Hemp and by doing it this way, it won’t be a fashion statement but a long enduring effort to keep us looking fad and not hurting the environment in the process. It will take more research.

The future of denim is looking up. Thanks to Hemp, there is the option of looking good and being kind to the environment.

Hemp is making a comeback. Hemp being one of the fastest growing plants, as well as one of the first to be spun 10,000 years ago into usable fiber. Hemp is also gaining popularity as building material.