Thesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008 / This thesis argues that the story of hemp is one of mistaken identity and focuses on the
potential of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in a social and economic context. It also asserts how
hemp with the application of appropriate technologies can be developed nationally 'new'
material, with reference to examples from abroad.
The current proliferation of raw material shortages means that designers have a social
responsibility to seek new ways to source and process materials for a sustainable future.
Designers are the "future creators" and should prescribe materials that are not only healthy
in the cycle of production, but also ensure an afterlife (recycling). The methodology
employed is a combination of qualitative (such as interviews) and quantitative methods
(such as statistical analysis). Life Cycle Analysis is used to study the ecological impact of
substituting hemp for current materials and processes. The study interrogates the historic
significance of hemp in various societies across the world with particular focus on Europe,
Japan, the United States of America, Ireland and Australia.
Such information is analysed within the realities of the South African context. A vast
amount of information on hemp has been published but practical information is hard to
obtain in South Africa necessitating a search for definite answers abroad, mainly in Europe
where there is a strong development in this field. After researching the production of the
hemp raw materials and the manufacture of viable hemp products abroad, lessons could be
assessed for application to the local market.
The findings endorse the view that hemp is a sustainable zero-waste material; the whole
plant can be used when harvested, which makes it an ideal material on which to base an
eco-design system. Hemp can be processed by utilizing either high technology equipment
or by the use of locally available equipment and manual labour. It can be converted into a
multi-diverse range of viable products such as paper, thatching, building material and
ceiling panels. The main reason for the isolation of hemp in South Africa is the mistaken
assumption that it is a drug and outlawed by our legislation. Since hemp (Cannabis sativa
L) is perceived as a vilified cousin of marihuana it has lead to a blanket ban on both
plants. This is certainly not warranted as hemp produces an extremely low value of the
controversial hallucinogenic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)properties which is negligible.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:cput/oai:localhost:20.500.11838/1316 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Vermeulen, John Franciscus |
| Publisher | Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/za/ |
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