Eugene Climate and Energy Action Plan: a mix of good intentions, greenwash and self-censorship

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Alternative Sources of Fiber
by Laura Perdomo, with additions from Samantha Chirillo

Reducing consumption needs to be the first step to ensure the enduring availability of any raw material for its beneficial uses. Reuse is second-most important. Recycling is third. However, tree fiber may sometimes only be recycled twice before the end of its life as a role of toilet paper. Paper products made from other fibers, such as hemp, can be recycled several more times.

Chemically-intensive clearcutting, cotton farming, and the production of synthetic materials, such as nylon, acrylics, and polyesters presently serves the market of fabrics and materials used in the U.S. Some natural fibers that grow well with little chemical inputs, are remarkably versatile, and have great significance for many cultures have fallen out of production to the extent that they cannot support significant demand and/or are outlawed, as is the case of hemp in the U.S. Trees and cotton for paper manufacturing remain the only natural fibers in the U.S with large industrial production. Current paper production from trees releases large amounts of dangerous pollutants, such as chlorine, dioxin, and furans into the air and water. The production of non-tree paper would eliminate the need for much of these toxic chemicals and would also greatly reduce the use of poisonous pesticides that are sprayed over forests in the U.S. to eliminate natural competition of other species (fungi, weeds, insects). Production of non-tree paper would lower energy consumption, save forests, re-localize paper production, and provide beneficial rotation crops for farmers." Many struggling rural communities could profit from resurgence in the production of natural textiles. Natural fibers could replace many synthetic materials that currently monopolize the clothing, makeup and food industry.

Cotton is a chemically intensive crop. Two billion dollars worth of chemicals are sprayed on the world’s cotton crop every year, and cotton production relies on 16% of insecticides used in the world – more than any other single crop. In total, almost 1 kg of hazardous pesticides is applied for every hectare of cotton grown. The Deadly Chemicals in Cotton Report by the Environmental Justice Foundation. www.ejfoundation.org/page324.html

Industrial cotton- and tree-based paper industries are the two greatest consumers of water. Some of the most severe air and water pollution comes from mills that use chlorine bleach in paper production, releasing hundreds of other pollutants, including dioxin, one of the most persistent and toxic chemicals ever produced. The Price of  Paper. www.lusabooks.com/nontree.html

Hemp fiber production and processing for paper or textiles has far less negative environmental impact than tree or cotton production. The production and use of hemp fiber is time-tested, with the U.S. government mandating hemp growing during the World War efforts. Ancient religious manuscripts, political declarations, historical journals and paintings remain intact because hemp paper is acid-free and does not turn yellow with age. Hemp paper is not only more durable than tree pulp paper, but it actually yields more fiber if farmers refrain altogether from applying any pesticides. Hemp is also more environmentally beneficial because of its greater economy of yield. As reported by the Forest Service in its famous Bulletin 404, one acre of hemp can produce as much fiber as four acres of trees.  Hemp can be cultivated once per year, whereas timber has a 20-30 year rotation. The tree pulp farming industry, despite massive clear-cutting and tree-pulp cultivation, cannot meet domestic paper requirements, so the U.S must import paper from other countries, resulting in the loss of life-sustaining resources for indigenous people in those areas. Importing also incurs transportation costs and impacts.

Although hemp is considered illegal because it is a member of the Cannabis genus, along with the illegal drug, marijuana, hemp does not contain the psychoactive compound, THC, found in marijuana. Because of its many benefits, hemp cultivation is now legal in several states despite the nationwide ban. State Senator Floyd Prozanski has introduced legislation on several occasions in an attempt to legalize hemp farming in Oregon.