As our planet grapples with the burdensome legacy of plastic, it appears we may have been looking in the wrong place for a solution. We turned to complex chemistry and elaborate technological solutions, only to find the answer hiding in plain sight: in our fields, backyards and nature. It turns out, the future of plastic may be all about going back to the roots. Specifically, the roots of the hemp plant.

Hemp, one of the earliest cultivated plants dating back to 8000BC, is at the forefront of a sustainable revolution. This versatile crop is known not only for its diverse applications, but also for its potential to reshape the plastic industry. Hemp plastic, a biodegradable polymer made from the lipids and cellulose found in cannabis plant seeds and stalks, offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics. By incorporating hemp cellulose with other organic or synthetic polymers, composite hemp plastic is created — a durable and 100 per cent plant-based material. What sets hemp plastic apart is its remarkable biodegradability, breaking down in just six months under the right conditions. With its multitude of uses spanning from paper and clothing to bioplastics and even superconductors, hemp is proving to be a game-changer in the pursuit of a sustainable future. As we embrace the roots of this ancient plant, we can reimagine the possibilities and usher in a new era where plastic harmonises with nature rather than burdens it.

Before you get any ideas, though, a note to tetrahydrocannabinol enthusiasts: hemp plastic might disappoint you. You would need to set fire to an entire field to match the effects of a single joint. This green giant is high on eco, not THC!

Plastic is the world’s poster child for adaptability. From our daily coffee lids to the insides of our laptops, plastic is everywhere. Yet, it is also the bane of our environment, polluting our land, water and air. The pressing ecological issue of plastic waste has exposed the cracks in our “throwaway” consumer culture.

While our beloved petroleum-based plastics continue to party hard, pumping dangerous gases into the atmosphere, a new contender is quietly stepping on to the stage: hemp plastic. It is 100 per cent biodegradable, has almost equivalent production costs — and the best part? It’s a carbon warrior, consuming four times more carbon dioxide than other plants. Imagine a world where manufacturing plastic actually helps the environment.

Who would have thought that the future of plastic is ... well, a plant? It seems laughable, almost like we’re reverting to the primitive days when everything was made from natural materials. Maybe the Flintstones had it right all along with their stone cars and wood utensils.

Conventional plastics have enjoyed their reign for far too long, lording over us with their cheap, non-biodegradable and hazardous existence. Now, there is an urgency to dethrone them, and our hero, hemp plastic, is up for the task. Unlike its non-biodegradable counterparts, hemp plastic will not exist ad infinitum, haunting future generations. It gracefully decomposes, returning to nature after its service.

On top of all this, hemp plastic does not contain harmful compounds such as benzene, which is a sigh of relief, considering our synthetic plastics seem to be having a toxic love affair with them.

But the clincher that puts hemp plastic ahead of conventional plastic in this ecological beauty pageant is its potential applications. This sturdy contender is not just a pretty face; it is stronger, flexible and can hold its own in various industries from automotive to construction, and even aerospace.

Yet, despite the promise that hemp holds, we are clinging on to petroleum-based plastics like a safety blanket. The reality, though, is that this blanket is on fire, and we’re slowly getting burnt. The production of petroleum-based plastics is not just environmentally disastrous, but is also draining our non-renewable resources.

One might wonder if this transition from synthetic to hemp plastic is financially feasible. After all, in the world of business, it’s all about the bottom line. Surprisingly, the costs align fairly closely. Yes, it may take a bit more effort to produce hemp plastics initially, but is it not worth it to preserve our environment and secure our future?

As we sit on the brink of what could be the most significant shift in the plastics industry, one can’t help but find the situation comically ironic. Here we are, in an era of AI and interplanetary missions, turning to a humble plant for answers. It’s a classic case of modern problems requiring age-old solutions. And honestly, it’s about time we leant into this environmental satire.

So let’s get ready to welcome the future where the word “plastic” does not induce a cringe, but a smile — the future where we return to our roots and finally harmonise with nature. Because, sometimes, the answers are not ahead, but behind us, in the old ways we have forgotten.

• Christian Chin-Gurret is a Bermudian writer with a Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Science in Product Design, who offers a unique perspective on shaping the future of business through innovation, disruption and technology. He can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianchingurret/