Hemp and organic cotton blend Amen T-Shirts at THTC available in Red (image 1), Green (image 2) and Navy (image 3)
The Hemp Trading Company (THTC) began as a small hemp awareness society at Hull University. Set up in 1995, 'Hempology' - a hemp awareness society - began running club nights and stalls, disseminating information on the uses of the hemp plant. Hempology had over 200 members at Hull University and went on to establish itself at 7 other campuses around the UK. It was at Hempology that the THTC team started to hone ideas for a club/music related brand. It was obvious that if these cool, street-wise people were to get into wearing and using hemp, this would have an important knock-on effect.
Hempology continued to be successful at several universities around the UK, long after the founding brothers and sisters had moved on. The cru from the original Hempology went on to run The Hemp Collective, an eco-cosmetics company. Later, two partners joined with a former Hempology Bristol frontman, forming THTC.
As the wheel turns full circle, THTC is now in a position to become more active in the dissemination of information, the support of academic studies into sustainability, and establishing and managing of club events.
THTC's Hemp and Cotton
Their Hemp is grown on small family farms in North Eastern China. It is and always has been grown organically.
Their certified organic cotton is also grown in China. This is a fledgling industry that THTC supports and saves the energy and expense of shipping in from Europe or India.
THTC is committed to Fair business practices and organic farming techniques. As their purchasing power grows, so they are able to negotiate with suppliers to ensure internationally recognised Fair-Trade standards and practices.
This year they introduced 100% organic fibre T-Shirts, a first for THTC, and very close to the first in the world. The cotton is certified organic and produced on a farm in Northern China. As THTC grows they will be able to secure specific farms, further refining their supply chain to ensure exemplary production standards.
THTC inspects all the factories they work with to ensure fair working conditions. They are currently working with three factories in North-Eastern China. Garments are dyed using EU standard reactive dyes, with strict health and safety controls and ingredient lists. Their factory ensures minimum waste water and dye runoff.
Goods are printed in the UK by a company utilising waste minimisation and full recycling systems, using the finest quality materials to ensure purity of print and very low spoilage rates.