Hemp paper is one of the many versatile products made from industrial hemp. It is more sustainable and durable compared to the traditional tree based paper. The process of manufacturing hemp paper begins by breaking down the bast fibers on the outer layer of the plant. Hemp contains a lower amount of lignin compared to wood which makes it faster and easier to break down into pulp to create paper. The pulp is also naturally brighter so it doesn’t need to be chemically bleached, unlike tree-based paper which uses chlorine bleach that  releases toxic dioxin into the environment. The pulp can then be molded into the proper shaper with a deckle or a specialized frame. Hemp paper can be made with soy-based binders (they are added to paper to increase water retention, making it more durable) compared to chemical binders used for tree paper which release a harmful chemical called formaldehyde. Hemp paper can also be recycled up to 7 or 8 times compared to tree paper which can only be recycled up to 3 times. Compared to trees, 1 acre of hemp will produce as much paper as 2 to 4 acres of trees with less space and time. Hemp paper is a much more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional paper made from trees.